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Italian vinaigrette is zippy, garlicky, and full of punchy dried herbs. It blends white wine vinegar, Parmesan, and Dijon with olive oil for a dressing that’s sharp, savory, and balanced. Unlike the overly sweet, bottled dressings, this one stays sharp and savory. It’s a bold, balanced dressing with specks of oregano, parsley, and Parmesan in every pour.
Here’s Why This Italian Vinaigrette Recipe Works
Parmesan in the dressing: Adds umami and body you don’t get from oil and vinegar alone.
Balanced acidity: White wine vinegar brings tang without overpowering; honey or sugar rounds it out.
Built-in seasoning: Garlic, Dijon, salt, and dried herbs infuse flavor from the start—no need to adjust at the table.
Easy to make and store: Whisk or shake it together in under 5 minutes and stash it in the fridge.
If you want another way to use it, try it with this arugula apple salad. The peppery arugula holds up well to a bold dressing like this one.
Recipe Tips
Use a microplane for the garlic: You want it finely grated so it melts into the dressing.
Let it sit before serving: Ten minutes is enough for the flavors to meld, especially the dried herbs.
Shake before each use: Oil and vinegar naturally separate; a quick shake brings it back to life.
Taste and tweak: Depending on your vinegar or cheese, you may want an extra pinch of salt or honey.
Double it: This recipe keeps well for a week, so go ahead and make a bigger batch.
This Italian vinaigrette also works well in grain-based salads like this chicken barley salad.
What to Serve With Italian Vinaigrette
This dressing works well on simple green salads, pasta salads, and chopped veggie salads. It also makes a good marinade for baked chicken breasts or a quick drizzle for tomatoes, cucumbers, and roasted vegetables.
Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
This Italian vinaigrette proves homemade dressing doesn’t need to be fussy. Just pantry staples, bold flavor, and five minutes of effort for a jar you can use on green salads, roasted vegetables, or as a marinade.
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Zesty Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
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Ingredients
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add all dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until well combined.Optionally, add everything to a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until blended.
- Use right away, or refrigerate in a covered container for up to 1 week. If chilled, bring to room temperature and whisk or shake again before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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