Italian Salad Dressing Recipe (Homemade) (2024)

Made in 5 minutes, this recipe is one that will find itself into your rotation often. Simply combine oil, vinegar, cheese, and seasonings for a quick and easy salad dressing recipe that will always serve up delicious flavor.

Why Make this Recipe

1. Fresher than Store Bought: Store bought Italian salad dressings works very well in a pinch, but if you can make it at home easily, why wouldn’t you?! I don’t know about you, but eating a meal with fresh, seasonal ingredients always makes me so happy.
2. 5 Minutes: Simply collect the ingredients and combine. It’s as easy as that!
3. Delightful Flavor: That tangy lemon juice and freshly grated parmesan cheese will add so much flavor to your meal.

What Do I Need to Make this Recipe?

Ingredients

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

1. Olive Oil: Because olive oil is the main ingredient in this recipe, I’d recommend a high quality olive oil if you can. A quick and easy way to tell if you’re buying a high quality olive oil is if the bottle displays a “pressed on” or “harvest” date.
2. Lemon Juice: Fresh squeezed if possible. You will need about ½ lemon for 2 tbsp.
3. Parmesan Cheese: I am always an advocate for the freshest cheese possible (just check my Instant Pot Stuffed Shells recipe). I would recommend fresh grated parmesan cheese if possible, or high quality packaged stuff if not. Pecorino Romano (used in this Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe recipe) would also be delicious.
4. Wine Vinegar: I am using red wine vinegar, but you can use white wine vinegar if you prefer.

How to Make this Recipe

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”h7TtHsqa” upload-date=”2021-12-09T19:34:07.000Z” name=”Italian Dressing” description=”Made in 5 minutes, this recipe is one that will find itself into your rotation often. Simply combine oil, vinegar, cheese, and seasonings for a quick and easy salad dressing recipe that will always serve up delicious flavor. ” player-type=”static”]

Mix all of the ingredients together in a medium bowl. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• To get more juice out of your lemon, heat it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds. Then use your hands to roll it around on the countertop.
• Some other renditions of this Italian Salad Dressing Recipe call for bell peppers, dill, fennel, and more. Feel free to add anything that sounds delicious to you!
• Store leftovers in a mason jar. Shake it well before each use.
• Feel free to omit the sugar for a healthier alternative, but keep in mind this will change the taste of the recipe.

What To Use Italian Dressing For?

At its most basic, this Italian Salad Dressing Recipe is used commonly as a topping for salads. But there are so many different ways that you can use this recipe! Here are some options:

• Salad Dressing
• Marinating chicken or other meat
• Dressing for this Easy Pasta Salad
• Sandwich spreads
• Dip bread in it

Recipe FAQs

Did you enjoy this Homemade Italian Salad Dressing Recipe? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:

• Poppy Seed Dressing
• Pistachio Pesto
• Argentinian Chimichurri Recipe
• Easy Pesto Recipe