Easy Homemade Creamy Italian Salad Dressing Recipe
This Homemade Creamy Italian Salad Dressing recipe is rich, tangy, and packed with flavor—perfect for salads, marinades, or even as a dip. There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own salad dressing. It’s a small but powerful way to control what goes into your food, ditch the store-bought dressings full of unnecessary additives, and save a little money along the way. You’ll love whipping up this homestead-inspired dressing right in your own kitchen.
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What you will Love about this Recipe!
- Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: This dressing uses everyday pantry staples to create a rich, tangy, and creamy flavor that beats store-bought every time.
- Cost-Effective: There is no need to spend extra money on fancy bottles at the store. With just a few basic ingredients, you can make a healthier and cheaper dressing.
- Customizable: You can easily tweak the herbs and spices to match your taste, giving you complete control over the flavor profile.
- Healthier Choice: Making your own dressing means no preservatives, artificial flavors, or hidden sugars—just wholesome, fresh ingredients.
- Versatile: This creamy Italian dressing isn’t just for salads—it’s excellent as a marinade, dip, or drizzle over roasted veggies.
Ingredients for Creamy Italian Salad Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
PRO TIP: Add a little zip with fresh garlic and red pepper flakes.
Supplies for Creamy Italian Salad Dressing
- Medium bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Measuring spoons and cups
- Airtight container or mason jar for storage
Step-by-Step Instructions for Creamy Italian Salad Dressing
- Combine the Base Ingredients—Add 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of sour cream to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. These ingredients create the rich, velvety base of your dressing.
- Add the Tang and Sweetness – Pour 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. This adds the perfect tangy balance.
- Mix in the Seasonings – Add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and 2 teaspoons of dried basil. These herbs and spices bring out that classic Italian flavor.
- Whisk Until Smooth -Whisk everything together until the dressing is creamy and well blended. Taste test and adjust the seasonings if needed—more vinegar for tang, honey for sweetness, or extra basil for a herby kick.
- Store and Serve -Transfer the dressing into a mason jar with easy pour lid, Weck jar, or airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. Vigorous shake or stir before each use, as natural separation may occur.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy Italian dressing isn’t just for salads. Here are a few ways to enjoy it:
- Your Favorite Garden Salad: Drizzle over a mix of romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions.
- Marinade for Chicken: Use as a marinade for grilled or baked chicken to add a punch of flavor.
- Veggie Dip: Serve with fresh veggies like carrots, bell peppers, and celery.
- Pasta Salad: Toss with cooked pasta, olives, mozzarella, and veggies for a creamy pasta salad.
- Roasted Vegetables: Drizzle over roasted veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and potatoes.
- Italian Bread Wedges: Spread this creamy base on pizza dough, top with shredded cheese, and bake until golden brown.
- Marinade: Marinate chicken breasts in dressing before coating them in bread crumbs. Try these crushed Italian-Seasoned Sourdough Croutons.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes! Greek yogurt is an excellent substitute for sour cream to lighten the recipe. It adds a slight tang and creamy texture.
2. How long does homemade dressing last?
This dressing will last about a week if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. Use the expiration date of your ingredients as a guideline.
3. Can I make this dressing dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use dairy-free mayonnaise, skip the Parmesan cheese, or replace it with a dairy-free alternative.
4. Is this dressing gluten-free?
Yes! All the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, but always double-check your labels, especially for the vinegar and Parmesan.
5. Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Yes, fresh herbs add a vibrant flavor. If using fresh, double the amount of herbs called for in the recipe.
Useful Kitchen Supplies for Homemade Salad Dressings
Making homemade Italian dressing is a simple and satisfying way to take control of your kitchen. Not only does it taste better than store-bought salad dressings, but it’s healthier and more budget-friendly, too. Plus, with this easy recipe, you’ll wonder why you ever bought dressing in the first place!
For more homemade, self-sufficient recipes, follow along on our website and social media. Let’s keep filling our pantries with wholesome, homemade goodness!
If you try this recipe and love it, please tag me on Instagram and Facebook @grindinggearsfarmstead.
Lechyd Da, (means “Cheers to Good Health” in Welsh)
Easy Homemade Creamy Italian Salad Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the Base Ingredients—Add 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup of sour cream to a medium mixing bowl. Whisk together until smooth and creamy. These ingredients create the rich, velvety base of your dressing.
- Add the Tang and Sweetness – Pour 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. This adds the perfect tangy balance.
- Mix in the Seasonings – Add 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese, and 2 teaspoons of dried basil. These herbs and spices bring out that classic Italian flavor.
- Whisk Until Smooth -Whisk everything together until the dressing is creamy and well blended. Taste test and adjust the seasonings if needed—more vinegar for tang, honey for sweetness, or extra basil for a herby kick.
- Store and Serve -Transfer the dressing into a mason jar with easy pour lid, Weck jar, or airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week. Vigorous shake or stir before each use, as natural separation may occur.
This dressing recipe is a keeper. It’s SO flavorful and easy to make.