Description

This classic Italian Dressing recipe is a bright, tangy, and easy-to-make vinaigrette that combines olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. Perfect for green salads, pasta salads, or as a flavorful marinade, it adds a fresh Mediterranean touch to your meals. Made without cooking, it emulsifies beautifully and can be customized with Parmesan or mayonnaise for a creamier texture.

Ingredients

Scale

Liquid Ingredients

3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons honey or sugar

Mustards and Spices

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

Combine wet ingredients: In a small bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid, pour in the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and honey. This forms the flavorful base of your dressing.
Add herbs and spices: Sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes if desired, salt, and black pepper to introduce aromatic and spicy notes.
Emulsify dressing: Whisk the mixture vigorously until fully blended and emulsified. If using a jar, secure the lid tightly and shake well to combine all the ingredients thoroughly.
Adjust seasoning: Taste the dressing and tweak the salt, pepper, or sweetness to your preference for a perfectly balanced flavor.
Refrigerate: Cover and refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen before serving.
Serve: Shake or stir the dressing before each use to remix the ingredients, then drizzle over salads or use as a marinade.

Notes

Store dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
For a creamier texture, blend in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese or 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise.
This dressing pairs excellently with green salads, pasta salads, or as a marinade for chicken and vegetables.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Condiment
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Italian-American