Upgrade your salads with a bright, zesty Homemade Italian Dressing. This simple, flavorful dressing uses just a handful of pantry ingredients and comes together in about five minutes. It’s a perfect way to add tang and depth to green salads, chopped Italian salads, or pasta salads.
I’ll be sharing more homemade salad dressings because they transform everyday salads into something memorable. Homemade dressings are fast, inexpensive, and far more flavorful than most store-bought bottles. This Italian dressing is savory, slightly tangy, and brightened with fresh lemon juice for a lively finish.
While balsamic vinaigrette and apple cider vinaigrette are favorites for their sweet-and-tangy profiles, this Italian-style dressing leans into zesty herbs and savory notes that pair beautifully with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and hearty greens.
This recipe is versatile: use it as a classic salad dressing, a marinade for chicken or vegetables, or a simple sauce tossed with pasta. It keeps well in the refrigerator and is easy to scale up when you need more.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Fast and easy: ready in about 5 minutes with minimal prep.
- Fresh, bright flavor from lemon and red wine vinegar balanced by olive oil and Dijon mustard.
- Made with six common ingredients; naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
- Versatile for salads, pasta, marinades, and dressings—keeps well in the fridge.
Recipe ingredients
Only six main ingredients—most are pantry staples. Use fresh lemon juice for the best brightness.
- Red wine vinegar – the backbone of the dressing; white wine vinegar is an acceptable substitute if needed.
- Fresh lemon juice – delivers bright acidity and fresher flavor than bottled juice.
- Extra virgin olive oil – the oil of choice for flavor; you can substitute another neutral oil if necessary.
- Dijon mustard – adds flavor and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Dried herbs and spices – garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and dried basil create the classic Italian profile; swap in fresh herbs if you prefer.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste.
Full ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card below.
How to make this recipe
Mason jar method: Add all ingredients to a mason jar, seal tightly, and shake vigorously until the dressing is emulsified and slightly creamy. This is the quickest, mess-free method.
Bowl and whisk method: Combine everything except the oil in a bowl, whisk until blended, then slowly stream in the oil while whisking until the dressing comes together.
Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon to suit your preference. If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a splash more vinegar or lemon juice; for a richer mouthfeel, add a little more olive oil or a touch of grated Parmesan.
Recipe FAQs
Combine red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried herbs (oregano and basil), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Shake in a jar or whisk in a bowl until emulsified.
Stored in an airtight container, this homemade dressing will keep for up to two to three weeks. It contains no preservatives, so always check aroma and appearance before using.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: The dressing may thicken or solidify in the refrigerator due to the olive oil. Let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes and shake or whisk well before serving.
- Add 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan or a tablespoon of nutritional yeast for extra umami and depth.
- If using fresh herbs, finely chop them and add to taste; fresh basil, parsley, or oregano all work well.
- Keep in a sealed container for up to two weeks; flavor may mellow over time—shake before serving.
More homemade salad dressing ideas
- Coleslaw Dressing
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Dressing
- Green Goddess Dressing
- Lemon Vinaigrette
- Louie Salad Dressing
- Honey Mustard Dressing
- Red Wine Vinaigrette
Did you try this dressing? If so, leave a review below and tag @flavorthemoments on social media so we can see your salads.
Easy Homemade Italian Dressing
Equipment
- Mason jar or bowl and whisk
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a mason jar, close the lid, and shake vigorously until emulsified. Alternatively, whisk the vinegar, lemon, mustard, and seasonings in a bowl, then slowly whisk in the olive oil until combined.
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon. Toss with salad greens, chopped vegetables, or cooked pasta. Serve immediately or chill for later use.
Notes
- The dressing will thicken when chilled; allow it to come to room temperature and shake or whisk before using.
- Add grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast for extra savory depth.
- Fresh herbs may be substituted for the dried herbs if available.
Nutrition (per 1 tablespoon)
Calories: approximately 74 kcal; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: varies. Nutrition is an estimate and intended as a guideline.