Italian Dressing Recipe
I love making my homemade Italian dressing with red wine vinegar, olive oil, and fresh herbs. It is tangy and savory, comes together in just 5 minutes, and tastes so much better than store bought. I use it on salads, as a marinade, or drizzled over grilled vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 finely mined garlic cloves
- 2 teaspoons dry oregano
- 2 teaspoons dry basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoons sugar
- 1/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ½ cup olive oil
- ½ cup salad oil
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except for the oil to a large size mixing bowl.
- Whisk until everything is completely combined and smooth and then slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to whisk.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Notes
The key to a great Italian dressing is a proper emulsion. I always drizzle the oil in slowly while whisking constantly so the dressing stays thick and creamy instead of separating. If the dressing does separate after sitting in the refrigerator, I just give it a good shake or whisk before serving.
Use room temperature ingredients: I let the vinegar and oil come to room temperature before mixing so they emulsify more easily.
Fresh vs. dried herbs: I prefer using dried herbs for convenience, but fresh herbs make this dressing even brighter. If using fresh, I add them right before serving.
Grate your own parmesan: I always grate my parmesan fresh because pre-grated cheese contains additives that can make the dressing gritty.
Make it a marinade: I love using this dressing to marinate chicken, steak, pork, or vegetables for at least 2 hours before grilling.
Make-Ahead: You can make this up 5 days ahead of time.
How to Store: If using dry ingredients, cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 14 days. If using fresh ingredients, it will last covered for up to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Calories: 180kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 244mgPotassium: 8mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 84IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 1mg