Zesty Italian Dressing is a fast, easy, 5-minute homemade dressing recipe that shakes up with simple ingredients you probably already have. Drizzle over your favorite green salad or Italian pasta salad, or use it as a marinade for chicken or pork.
Try it with Italian Chicken Wraps or Spinach and Arugula Caprese Salad.
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❤️You're Going to Love These
- The 1:1 acid-to-oil ratio gives this zesty dressing bold, tangy flavor.
- Made with simple, wholesome ingredients and no preservatives, it's healthier than store-bought dressings.
- Versatile & delicious salad dressing that can also be used as a marinade or drizzled over roasted veggies.
- Quick & easy recipe you can make in minutes.
🍋Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has a fruity, tangy flavor. For a sweeter, less acidic flavor, try white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar. Plain white vinegar is not recommended.
- Fresh lemon juice. Adds bright, fresh, zesty flavor.
- Extra-virgin olive oil. Because live oil is a main ingredient, use a good quality olive oil that tastes good to you.
- Fresh garlic. If you don't have it, substitute with up to ½ teaspoon of garlic powder. Start small and add to taste.
- Maple syrup. Maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness. You can also use honey or skip it altogether.
🌿Variations or Substitutions
- Choose your level of tanginess by adding more oil for less tang or more vinegar and lemon juice for tangier flavor.
- If you have fresh herbs, by all means, use them instead. To substitute fresh herbs for dried herbs, use three times more -- so, 1 ½ teaspoons fresh parsley, oregano, and thyme.
- Kick up the flavor with black pepper, red pepper flakes, or a little cayenne pepper.
- Add even more Italian flavor with grated Parmesan cheese.
🥣How to Make Zesty Homemade Italian Dressing
Step 1: Place all ingredients in a small bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid Whisk or shake until well combined.
Step 2: Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld. Give it a good shake or stir before serving.
👉Helpful Hint: Shake or whisk before serving. The oil and vinegar naturally separate, so mix well before using.
✅Top Tips
- Let it sit for 20+ minutes. This allows the flavors to blend for a more intense taste.
- Adjust to taste. Add more olive oil for less tang, more vinegar and lemon juice for more tang, maple syrup for sweetness, or Dijon for more bite.
- Store in a glass jar. Keeps fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week—just shake before using!
🎁Storage
Store leftover dressing in an airtight container or mason jar in the refrigerator for about one week. If the oil solidifies, let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
❓FAQ
Yes! Swap maple syrup for honey or a pinch of sugar.
This dressing makes a great marinade for chicken or shrimp before grilling. You can also drizzle it over roasted veggies or toss it with pasta salad for bold, tangy flavor.
Turn up the tang! Add extra lemon juice, a splash of red wine vinegar, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a fiery kick. 🔥
😋More Homemade Salad Dressings
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📖 Recipe
Zesty Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until well combined.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld. Shake well before using. If the oil solidifies in the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
Notes
- Shake or whisk before serving – The oil and vinegar naturally separate, so mix well before using.
- Let it sit for 20+ minutes – This allows the flavors to blend for a more intense taste.
- Adjust to taste – Add more olive oil for less tang, more vinegar and lemon juice for more tang, maple syrup for sweetness, or Dijon for more bite.
- Store in a glass jar – Keeps fresh in the fridge for up to 1 week—just shake before using!
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