Homemade Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
This homemade zesty Italian salad dressing is simply the best! It’s easy to make, stores well, and goes with every salad you can imaging. Plus, nothing’s better than homemade tight?
Using some simple ingredients found in any pantry, you can have this fresh salad dressing anytime you want. Just some good olive oil, some vinegar, and some spices and you are ready to go. Making salad dressings from scratch saves the processed ingredients and preservatives found in store bough. Plus it tastes better!
Did I say you can use it on any type of salad too? It’s true! It goes on traditional lettuce salads, pasta salads, and summer tomato and cucumber salad. As an added bonus, you can use it to marinade meats with as well.
Making Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
Gather up your ingredients and a jar to mix them in. Combine the ingredients and mix well. Chill for a couple of hours in the fridge and it’s ready to serve!
Choosing your preferred ingredients is the tricky part. Which oil should I use? I prefer light olive oil for this recipe. It’s healthier than vegetable oil and not as robust in flavor as extra virgin olive oil. It comes out nice and smooth and makes a lovely light dressing.
There are so many kinds of vinegar as well. This recipe turns out fantastic with either red or white wine vinegar. Plain white vinegar will work in a pinch, but not apple cider or balsamic vinegar.
Spice things up with some basil, parsley, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, honey and lemon juice. Add in some optional Parmesan cheese too if you like. Fresh herbs are always the way to go, but dried still add the needed flavor to this dressing. Garlic can be fresh, granulated or powder, just use what you’ve got on hand. Honey and lemon juice are used just a touch to give it some tang and sweetness as well.
The Best Homemade Zesty Italian Salad Dressing
Description
Deliciously easy Italian salad dressing
Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl or jar.
- Whisk to combine well.
- Adjust spices to your liking.
- Chill before serving.
Notes
- Makes fantastic pasta salad and chicken marinade.
Fresh Ingredients for Fresh Meals
We love to use anything fresh from our home garden when preparing food. It comes cheaper than the grocery store and has less added sugar and preservatives than store bought ingredients. Plus, gardening brings happiness when you harvest what you grew.
Always go for fresh ingredients when you can. Recipes taste better using fresh herbs, but dried works well too. Dried herbs are easy and cost effective when looking for flavor and hold well in the typical household pantry too.
Other Great Recipes
If you love fresh ingredients and fresh food, check out these other fantastic dishes:
The Best Roasted Summer Veggies with Orzo
The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip Pasta Salad
Simple Tangy Coleslaw with an Asian Dressing