🍳DailyRecipes
Salad

Simple Homemade Italian Dressing

This tangy and herby dressing is much better than bottled versions and takes only a few minutes to shake up at home.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· July 14, 2026
Simple Homemade Italian Dressing
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
0 minutes
Total
5 minutes
Serves
6

If you are tired of the gloopy, preservative heavy dressings found in stores, this recipe is for you. It uses simple pantry staples like olive oil, vinegar, and dried herbs to create a bright flavor that pairs perfectly with crisp garden salads or pasta salads.

I love adding a little tomato paste and grated Parmesan cheese to the mix. These ingredients give the dressing a wonderful savory depth and a beautiful color. It also works beautifully as a quick marinade for chicken before you throw it on the grill.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. 1

    Gather a clean jar with a tight fitting lid.

  2. 2

    Add all of the ingredients into the jar.

  3. 3

    Close the lid tightly and shake the jar vigorously until the dressing is well combined and the ingredients are emulsified.

  4. 4

    Taste and adjust the seasoning if you prefer more salt or pepper.

  5. 5

    Serve immediately over your favorite salad or store it for later use.

💡 Tips

Store any leftover dressing in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Since the oil may solidify in the cold, let the jar sit on the counter for a few minutes to come to room temperature before giving it another good shake.

#homemade#vegetarian#salad dressing#quick#easy

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