Best 4 Basic Italian Salad Dressing Recipes

**Basic Italian Salad Dressing: A Versatile Condiment for All Occasions**

Salad dressing is an essential component of any salad, adding flavor, richness, and texture to the mix of greens and vegetables. Among the many salad dressings available, Italian dressing stands out with its vibrant flavors and versatility. This article presents a basic Italian salad dressing recipe that serves as a foundation for creating a variety of delicious dressings. The classic combination of olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices provides a well-balanced and flavorful dressing that complements a wide range of salads. Whether you prefer a light and tangy dressing for a simple green salad or a creamy and herbaceous dressing for a hearty pasta salad, this basic recipe offers endless possibilities for customization. With minimal ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you'll be able to create a homemade Italian salad dressing that will elevate your salads to the next level.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

EASY HOMEMADE ITALIAN DRESSING

Easy Homemade Italian Dressing image

This Easy Homemade Italian Dressing is so tasty and simple! Plus it's Whole30, gluten free, sugar free, and dairy free. Perfect on salads or as a marinade!

Provided by Christina

Categories Dressing Marinade

Time 5m

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp lemon juice

Steps:

Add all ingredients to a jar, place the lid on the jar, and give it a good shake!
Just like with all vinegar based dressing you'll need to shake it up again before pouring to eliminate separation.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 2 tbsp, Calories 183 kcal, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 221 mg

THE BEST EVER CLASSIC ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING

The Best Ever Classic Italian Salad Dressing image

Provided by Bruce Bradley

Categories Dressings & Condiments

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1/2 cup vinegar (white wine, red wine, or balsamic are our favorites)
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon onion granules (see notes)
1/4 teaspoon salt or less to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste

Steps:

Choose the vinegar you want for the base of your Italian dressing and pour into a salad dressing carafe.
Add olive oil, garlic, and dried seasonings. Shake and it's ready to serve.

BASIC ITALIAN SALAD DRESSING

Basic Italian Salad Dressing image

This Basic Italian Salad dressing is great for turning mixed greens, steamed broccoli or asparagus spears into a delicious salad.

Provided by Sue Ann Scarcia-Barry

Categories Garlic Herb No-Cook Quick & Easy Salad Dressing Bon Appétit Pennsylvania

Yield Makes about 1/2 cup

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

6 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
Pinch of dried oregano

Steps:

Combine all ingredients in small bowl and whisk to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

QUICK ITALIAN SALAD

Quick Italian Salad image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan (pre-grated in a pack from the store)
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon vinegar
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic, pressed
Juice of 1 lemon
1 head romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, chunked
6 whole pepperoncini
1/2 cup whole black olives
1/2 cup whole red cherry tomatoes
1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced into circles
1/3 cup grated Parmesan

Steps:

For the dressing: In a blender, add the olive oil, mayonnaise, Parmesan, parsley, sugar, vinegar, black pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic and lemon juice and blend until pureed.
For the salad: Put the romaine and iceberg greens in a large bowl and toss with the dressing. Top the salad with the pepperoncini, olives, tomatoes and onions. Sprinkle with Parmesan at the end.

Tips:

Use high-quality olive oil for the best flavor. Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice, but a good quality regular olive oil will also work.
Add a little bit of lemon juice or vinegar to brighten up the dressing. This will help to balance out the flavors and make the dressing more refreshing.
Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a small amount and add more to taste, as desired.
Use fresh herbs to add flavor and color to the dressing. Basil, oregano, and thyme are all good choices.
If you want a creamy dressing, add a little bit of mayonnaise or sour cream. This will help to thicken the dressing and make it more luxurious.
Store the dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Conclusion:

A basic Italian salad dressing is a versatile condiment that can be used on a variety of salads. It is easy to make and can be customized to your own taste. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and flavorful dressing that will enhance your next salad.