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Italian Dressing

Want a simple and classic salad dressing that you could make on a desert island? This zesty Italian dressing is one you can easily make wherever you go.

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homemade Italian dressing in a jar made with garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, olive oil, and red wine vinegar
Photography by Gayle McLeod

More easy, delicious dressings from The Modern Proper.

Live Your Best Salad Life With This Italian Dressing Recipe

Oregano and basil are cornerstone Italian flavors, and this dressing is a great way to bring the two seasonings together. Once you’ve made a jar of Italian dressing, you might wonder “What can I put Italian dressing on?” You can use it to add pep as a marinade for meat, or add depth to a pot of beans. If you love Italian inspired food, try our Italian Wedding Soup or our Italian Baked Chicken Meatballs.

garlic powder, oregano, dried basil, salt, olive oil, and red wine vinegar in bowls to make homemade italian dressing

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Italian Dressing Ingredients.

Why is it Called Italian Dressing? Italian dressing is likely only Italian in name, borrowing inspiration from classic Italian ingredients. Though this dressing may have closer ties to Olive Garden Italian dressing, than Italy–it is thought to have been created specifically for restaurant service. Since its origin, it has been a staple salad dressing with its perfect balance of fat (olive oil), acid (red wine vinegar), seasonings and salt. Once you start making this, you’ll soon discover that the best Italian dressing is the one you make at home in a jar! Here's everything you'll need to make it.

  • Garlic powder

  • Dried oregano

  • Dried basil

  • Sea salt

  • Extra-virgin olive oil

  • Red wine vinegar

olive oil being poured into a jar with garlic powder, oregano, dried basil, salt and red wine vinegar

How To Make Italian Dressing

With measuring spoons, a jar (a Mason jar or old jam jar works great) and your ingredients at hand, this homemade Italian dressing comes together in no time.

  1. Add seasoning, olive oil, and red wine vinegar to a jar.

  2. Shake, shake, shake to emulsify.

  3. Store in the refrigerator until you need it again, and give a little shake prior to use.

garlic powder, oregano, dried basil, salt, olive oil, and red wine vinegar in a jar to make homemade Italian dressing
homemade Italian dressing in a mason jar made with garlic powder, oregano, dried basil, salt, olive oil, and red wine vinegar

Tools You’ll Need

We love making our own Italian salad dressing because it's almost as easy as opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of store-bought. This recipe for italian dressing requires:

Italian Dressing Pairs Perfectly With…

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Italian Dressing

  • Yields: ½ cup
  • Prep Time:  5 min
  • Cook Time:  0 min

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Method

  1. Place the garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, olive oil, and vinegar in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake vigorously until combined. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week. Shake before each use.

Nutrition Info

  • Per Serving
  • Amount
  • Calories159
  • Protein0 g
  • Carbohydrates1 g
  • Total Fat18 g
  • Dietary Fiber0 g
  • Cholesterol0 mg
  • sodium194 mg
  • Total Sugars0 g

Italian Dressing

Questions & Reviews

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  • Kay

    I'm loving making my dressings from scratch, another TMP winner!

    Thanks Kay!