This Zesty Italian Dressing is easy to make and adds so much flavor to green lettuce salads, pasta salads, and my Italian Chopped Salad. It can also be used as a marinade for chicken.
Homemade Italian Dressing
Creating your own salad dressing is incredibly simple. This zesty Italian dressing is bursting with flavor and can be whipped up in minutes.
Featuring red pepper flakes for a hint of heat. The dressing really isn't spicy, but just the perfect amount of zestiness! You can adjust the amount to suit your preferences.
I love using this dressing on my go-to dinner salad, Italian Pasta Salad, and as a marinade for Italian Dressing Chicken. It's also fantastic on a sub sandwich.
Key ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Olive Oil - This is the base of the dressing. Extra virgin olive oil is generally considered the best choice. It has a more robust flavor compared to other types of olive oil, making it ideal for adding depth to your dressing. However, if you prefer a milder flavor, you can use regular olive oil or a blend of olive oil and a neutral oil like grapeseed or vegetable oil.
- White Wine Vinegar - Adds a bright and slightly fruity flavor. It also provides a mild acidity that helps balance the flavors in the dressing without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Dijon Mustard - Just a touch of Dijon is added for flavor. It also helps emulsify the dressing and helps prevent the dressing from separating immediately after shaking.
- Sugar - Only ½ teaspoon of sugar is added. It helps balance out the acidity from the vinegar providing a more well-rounded flavor profile. The sugar can be omitted if you prefer.
- Seasoning - Dried seasonings are used in this recipe: garlic powder, onion powder, basil, parsley, and oregano. Red pepper flakes are also added to give the dressing just a bit of zesty flavor.
Making zesty Italian dressing
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Place olive oil and white wine vinegar in a large measuring cup or glass jar.
- Add Dijon mustard and all seasonings.
- Whisk well until combined. If using a glass jar, you can also place a lid on the jar and shake until combined.
- Allow all the flavors to meld together for about 5 minutes before using.
- Stir or shake just before using.
Recipe tips
- Use fresh dried herbs. The older the herbs are, the less flavor they will have.
- Allow the ingredients at least 5 minutes to meld together.
- Shake before using.
- Store dressing in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can leave out the sugar if you prefer. This recipe only uses ½ teaspoon of sugar and the sugar does help balance the flavors.
Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Allow the dressing to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before using.
More delicious salad dressings
- Asian Dressing
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Avocado Ranch Dressing
- Raspberry Vinaigrette
- Lemon Vinaigrette
- Creamy Caesar Dressing
- Cilantro Lime Dressing
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
✅ Tip
The olive oil will solidify when this dressing is refrigerated. Remove dressing 10-15 minutes before using, then shake well to combine ingredients.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious salad recipes!
Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe
Equipment
- Dressing Cruet
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Place olive oil and white wine vinegar in a large measuring cup or glass jar.½ cup olive oil, ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- Add Dijon mustard, sugar and all seasonings.½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried parsley, ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ¼ teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper
- Whisk well until combined. If using a glass jar, you can also place a lid on the jar and shake until combined.
- Allow all the flavors to meld together for about 5 minutes before using.
- Stir or shake just before using.
Notes
- Use fresh dried herbs. The older the herbs are, the less flavor they will have.
- Allow the ingredients at least 5 minutes to meld together.
- Shake before using.
- Store dressing in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Alicia says
I made this recipe for a cucumber tomato onion salad and it was delicious! I've tried other recipes and this one blows the others out of the water. Highly recommend!
Kathy says
Thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thanks for the recommendation!
Shelby says
This recipe is similar to one I've made for many years, however I've never used sugar in the ingredients. Just that little bit of sugar made a huge difference in flavor. I'll never make homemade Italian dressing any other way now!
Kathy says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! You could omit the sugar, but it's just a bit and it really balances the flavors! 🙂
Kristina says
My first attempt at making a homemade Italian dressing (my all time favorite), and very glad I found this recipe. The flavor was spot on. I plan to use this throughout the summer for my much loved Italian pasta salad, and of course dinner salads.
Kathy says
Yay!!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the dressing! It's perfect on so many things! Enjoy 🙂
Lisa says
I love making homemade dressings and can never have enough recipes! I use this one to make a zesty Italian pasta salad. So good!
Kathy says
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Kristin says
So glad I found this recipe as I need zesty Italian for a fish recipe that I make. It's great with store-bought dressing, but using this homemade dressing really took it to the next level! It was delicious the same day, but then I used some the next day on my salad and realized the flavors were even better after sitting overnight. Great recipe!
Kathy says
Yay!!! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. I've used it to marinate chicken before, but now I need to try fish!
Sharon says
Italian dressing is my favorite salad dressing, and this recipe knocks it out of the park. So easy to make and so delicious. I put it on everything and even used it to marinate some shrimp the other night. Thank you for sharing!
Kathy says
Yay!!! So glad you enjoyed it! It's a perfect marinade on shrimp. 🙂
colleen says
So funny! Hubs ACTUALLY went to the grocery store and while there picked up 3 cucumbers for himself to snack on. He was sad to find we had no Italian dressing on had (he is nuts for Italian dressing). SO I sent him this recipe and he made it. If he can do it anyone can!! He enjoyed it!
Kathy says
LOL!!! Glad he enjoyed it! 🙂
Giangi Townsend says
It is the best Italian dressing I have ever had. Rich in flavor and texture. I love the addition of the red pepper flakes, it gives it a nice kick.
Thank you!
Kathy says
Thanks! I like the bit of a kick too, although it's not spicy either! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂