Italian Dressing
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With its rich olive oil and zesty lemon juice, this Italian Dressing makes every meal more flavorful. It’s the quick and tasty solution to bland salads and meals, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen!
This Italian Dressing is not just any salad enhancer; it’s a harmonious blend of robust olive oil, zesty lemon juice, and a kick of red pepper flakes, creating a symphony of flavors in every drop! The subtle sweetness of honey balances the tanginess of the vinegar, making it a versatile addition to not just salads, but also a variety of dishes, elevating them to gastronomic delights.
It’s not just about taste; the simplicity and quickness of this recipe make it a go-to. A quick shake is all it takes to blend the flavors seamlessly, offering a fast-track to a memorable, flavorful meal, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef!
Why You’ll Love This Italian Dressing
- Versatility & Flavor: This Italian dressing brings a balance of sweetness, tanginess, and a hint of spiciness, making it a flavorful addition to salads, marinades, or even drizzled over vegetables, enhancing a variety of dishes.
- Simplicity & Speed: With just a handful of common ingredients and a shake, this dressing comes together in minutes, making it a quick and easy option for those looking to whip up something delicious in no time.
- Healthier Homemade Option: Creating this dressing at home allows for control over the ingredients, accommodating preferences or dietary restrictions, and avoiding the additives and preservatives found in store-bought versions.
- Olive Oil – While you can substitute sunflower, safflower, or avocado oil, to get a real Italian dressing I really recommend using a good olive oil here.
- Red Wine Vinegar – You can use either red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar for this recipe!
- Seasoning – Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and salt.
- Honey – For a little added sweetness to balance the dressing.
- Lemon Juice – I always recommend using freshly squeezed, use what you have on hand.
Creating this zesty Italian dressing is such a breeze; you’ll wonder why you ever opted for store-bought! So, let’s start by grabbing all our ingredients. We’ll need olive oil, red or white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, and a few more things. Oh, and don’t forget the jar; any clean, empty jar will do.
Now, let’s get to the fun part! Pour all those lovely ingredients into your jar. The olive oil, the vinegar, and all those spices need to go in. Now, tighten the lid – make sure it’s secure; we don’t want any spillages! Give it a good shake; we want all those flavors melding together nicely.
And there we have it! Drizzle it generously over your favorite salad, and watch the dish come to life with vibrant flavors! And remember, it might separate a bit as it sits, so give it another shake before serving it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Italian dressing?
Italian dressing is considered a vinaigrette dressing. It’s tangy and herbaceous, made with olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and plenty of fresh herbs. This popular dressing is a staple for salads, sandwiches and more!
Can I use a different type of oil instead of olive oil?
Absolutely! While olive oil adds a distinct and rich flavor, you can substitute it with any other neutral oils like canola or vegetable oil if you prefer.
Can I use fresh garlic and onion instead of the powder form?
Definitely! Fresh garlic and onion can provide a more robust flavor. Just make sure to finely mince them, and remember, they might shorten the dressing’s shelf life due to their moisture content.
Can I omit honey if I want to make it sugar-free?
Of course! The honey is there for a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity, but you can either omit it or replace it with a sugar substitute that suits your dietary needs.
The dressing is too tangy for me; can I adjust the acidity?
Absolutely, feel free to adjust the vinegar or lemon juice to suit your taste preferences. If it’s too tangy, you can add a bit more oil or honey to balance it out.
Expert Tips
- Use Quality Ingredients: Since this is a simple recipe, using high-quality olive oil and fresh lemon juice can make a difference in the final flavor. Opt for extra-virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best results.
- Customize to Your Taste: Feel free to adjust the levels of garlic, onion powder, and red pepper flakes to suit your palate. If you like your dressing sweeter, you can add a bit more honey, and if you prefer it tangier, a bit more vinegar or lemon juice can be added.
- Shake Before Each Use: The ingredients will naturally separate over time, so give the bottle a good shake before each use to ensure all the flavors are well blended.
- Experiment with Herbs: Don’t hesitate to experiment with additional herbs or substitute the Italian seasoning with fresh herbs. Fresh basil, oregano, or parsley can add a lovely freshness to the dressing.
- Storage is Key: Store the dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works best, as it allows you to shake the dressing easily before use.
Storage
Store your Italian dressing in the refrigerator in an airtight container or jar with a lid. I prefer using a jar with a tight seal! Stored properly, your dressing will last for up to 2 weeks.
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Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- Blend ingredients: Add all the ingredients to a jar, place the lid and close it. Shake it well until all the ingredients are well blended.
- Serve: Serve drizzled over your favorite salad. The dressing will need to be shaken again before serving.
Notes
- This recipe will yield about a cup of dressing.
- Both red and white wine vinegar work beautifully in this dressing. Feel free to go with whichever you have on hand. I tend to opt for red more than the white, just because it gives the dressing that color we are familiar with. Other than the color, there is no difference! Use what you have on hand.
- Season to your preference! Make this dressing to your liking.
- This dressing will need to be shaken each time before serving! The oil and ingredients will separate after a while in the fridge.
- Store your Italian dressing in the refrigerator in an airtight container or jar with a lid. I prefer using a jar with a tight seal! Stored properly, your dressing will last for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
