Italian Dressing Recipe
I can’t remember the last time I purchased store-bought Italian dressing, and I guarantee you won’t either once you learn how easy it is to make it yourself!
For more homemade salad dressing recipes, check out our Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, and Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing.
This Zesty Italian Dressing is My Go-To
This recipe has earned a five-star rating from our readers and has become one of the most popular on the site—and for good reason. It’s packed with bold, zesty flavors, incredibly simple to prepare, and endlessly customizable to match your taste. Plus, it’s perfect for making in big batches so you’ll always have some on hand.
Whether you’re drizzling it over salads or using it as a marinade, this is my go-to dressing for adding quick and easy flavor to just about any dish. All it takes is a handful of pantry staples and a few minutes to whisk everything together—it’s that simple and that good!
Italian Dressing Mix Ingredients
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 Italian Dressing
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.
How to Use This Zesty Italian Dressing
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.
Zesty Italian Dressing Mix 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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If you try our Italian dressing recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment letting us know how you liked the recipe.
At Home Italian Dressing Packet
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 4-6
- 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 ½ tsp. garlic salt
- 1 ½ tsp. onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp. granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. dried oregano
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- ⅛ tsp. dried thyme
- ½ tsp. dried basil
- 1 ½ tsp. dried parsley
- ⅛ tsp. celery salt
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
To Prepare the Dressing – Makes ⅔ cup of dressing
- ½ 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 love zesty Italian so much, and I love that I can make it at home! This is a great recipe.
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.