Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe
Learn how to make this Zesty Italian Dressing recipe with a homemade dry seasoning mix, and use it to add flavor to salads, meat, veggies, and more!
For more homemade salad dressing recipes, check out our Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, and Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing.
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My Go-To Dressing for Salads
You might be surprised to learn that making your own dressings at home is even more convenient than buying them from the store. If you’re not convinced, this zesty Italian dressing recipe is sure to change your mind!
My go-to dressing for salads, and marinating, it’s quick to prepare and great to make in advance. We start with a dry Italian dressing mix. Then, when you’re ready to serve, all you have to do is whisk a few ingredients together, and your dressing is ready to use.
It’s zesty, tangy, and so delicious. Plus, by making it yourself you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your flavor preferences. You may never go back to store-bought dressings again!
Ingredients for Zesty Italian Dressing
You likely have most of the ingredients you need on hand. If not, you can easily find everything at your local grocery store. See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
- Herbs and spices: You’ll need garlic salt, onion powder, dried oregano, black pepper, dried thyme, dried basil, dried parsley, celery salt, and salt to create the spice mix and add savory flavor to your dressing.
- Granulated sugar: Just a pinch adds a touch of sweetness, balancing out the savory, tangy flavor of the dressing.
- Oil: I recommend using avocado oil to form the base of the dressing and combine the ingredients. Canola oil also works well. I’ve also tested this recipe with extra virgin olive oil and find that the flavor is a bit too heavy.
- White vinegar: This contributes to the zesty flavor Italian dressing is known for having.
How to Make Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
Prepare a zesty Italian dressing recipe in minutes at home with simple steps! For more specific guidelines, see the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add all the dry spices into a glass bowl.
Step 2: Using a hand whisk, whisk the spices together.
Step 3: Transfer the spice mixture into a container with a tight lid and store in a cool dark place until ready to use.
Step 4: To make the dressing, whisk oil, vinegar, water, and dry spice mix until well combined.
Recipe Variation
If you prefer a creamy Italian salad dressing, whisk in 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this zesty Italian salad dressing with Veggie Pasta Salad, Summer Squash Salad, or Quinoa Salad with Avocado.
You can also use it as a marinade or dipping sauce with meat and vegetables such as Grilled Chicken Drumsticks, Cedar Plank Smoked Salmon, or Roasted Fall Vegetables.
Recipe FAQs
The two dressings use the same base of ingredients. However, zesty Italian dressing contains more garlic powder and a little more spice for a bolder taste.
This recipe will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. Just be sure to give it a good shake or stir to redistribute the ingredients before using.
It depends on the serving size of the packet. The dry mix makes 3 tablespoons. So, you’ll just want to make sure to use the same amount of seasoning that the packet contains.
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Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Make zesty Italian dressing mix at home! Tastes just like the store version except it’s made with real and simple ingredients.
Ingredients
Dry Dressing Mix – Makes 3 Tablespoons
- 1 1/2 tsp. garlic salt
- 1 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried parsley
- 1/8 tsp. celery salt
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
To Prepare the Dressing – Makes 2/3 cup of dressing
- 1/2 cup avocado oil or any other neutral-tasting oil
- 2 Tbsp. white vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. water
- 1 Tbsp. Dry Dressing Mix
Instructions
Dry Dressing Mix
- Whisk together the spice ingredients in a small bowl and store in a tightly closed container until ready to use.
To Prepare the Dressing
- Whisk the oil, vinegar, water, and dry dressing mix until well combined. Serve immediately or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- To Make it Creamy: Whisk in 1 tablespoon mayonnaise and 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 1.1 g
- Sodium: 195.8 mg
- Fat: 18.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.1 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Original recipe published March 2015 but since been updated with new images.
Hi! I'm Katya -- a former corporate paralegal turned full-time recipe developer and blogger behind Little Broken. Here you'll find family-friendly and seasonal recipes made from real ingredients.
I used this in my salad. Wasn’t sure how it would turn out. I’m glad I did. My company loved it so much, and wanted to know where I picked up the dressing. So I showed everyone your site. All of us are going to take turns with new recipes you may have. Again thank you
Thank you! I appreciate that.
It was delicious!! Used to season Italian Beef. I used little less than 2 T. for 3.5 # of beef.
Thanks!!
Great recipe! I used this on a pepperoni pasta salad and it was delicious. I didn’t have basil so I used italian seasoning mix for the oregano, basil, parsley and thyme. You can adjust for your taste. I would probably add a touch more sugar when I make it again but that’s just my preference. It’s great as is.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you.
Pleasantly Surprised! Ran out of bottled italian dressing for my pasta salad and searched the net. So glad this recipe popped up. Ingredients are all standard pantry items and the end result was great!! Thank you!
That’s so great to hear! Thank you Pam.
Used this to season my italian beef when I didn’t grab a packet at the store. It worked amazing!!
HI! When a recipe asks for a packet of the seasoning mix, how much of this recipe would you suggest?
2 tablespoons?
Hi Sharla! It’s so hard to say. It would all depend on the serving size of the packet.
This was great! I used the dry mix to season Italian Beef Sandwiches. Everyone in my family loved the flavor.
Thanks Carrie! So glad you loved it.