Vegan Italian Dressing [3 Minute]

The easiest vegan Italian dressing made with simple, inexpensive pantry ingredients! – It’s sweet, zesty, herby, naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, & perfect for salads, veggies, pasta, and more!

Bright and Zesty Homemade Italian Dressing

Sure, it’s convenient to pick that bottle of Italian dressing from the supermarket shelf, but this homemade Italian dressing recipe relies on just 7 simple pantry ingredients—all of which are kitchen staples—is cheaper and tastes so much better than anything bottled. It’s also made with wholesome ingredients and no additives or preservatives.

Is Italian dressing vegan usually? Well, although there are several ‘accidentally vegan’ options, some contain egg or parmesan, so it’s not a guarantee. However, this recipe for zesty Italian dressing is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan. Still, it contains all the classic flavor profiles, including rich olive oil, tangy vinegar, zesty lemon juice, aromatic garlic, and herbaceous Italian seasoning, with just a hint of sweetener to balance it all.

Plus, it’s fairly customizable and can be thrown together in just a few minutes. Just combine everything in a jar and shake – you have a versatile dressing for this kale quinoa salad, veggies, pasta, grains, and more. You can even store leftovers for 2-3 weeks in the fridge or freeze them for longer.

Looking for even more simple vegan dressings? Check out our Oil Free Salad Dressing, Lemon Dressing, Miso Tahini Dressing, or Vegan Caesar Dressing.

What Is In Italian Dressing?

This basic Italian salad dressing recipe contains just 7 simple and inexpensive ingredients (plus salt and pepper).

• Olive oil: Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil without too much of a robust flavor for the best Italian salad dressing recipe. Neutral oil like vegetable/ canola oil works too.
• Vinegar: We used rice vinegar. However, apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar also works. Red wine vinegar works, too, but changes the color.
• Lemon juice: To add extra zesty brightness and depth. Add more flavor with a little lemon zest, too.
• Garlic: We keep things basic by using garlic powder in this easy Italian dressing recipe, but fresh minced garlic will work, too.
• Italian seasoning: Save time by using this pre-mixed seasoning instead of individual dry herbs (like oregano, basil, and parsley).
• Mustard: We use Dijon mustard, though regular yellow mustard will work, too. This adds subtle flavor and helps with emulsification.
• Sweetener: To balance the acidity in the vinegar. We used regular sugar this time, but you could use less refined raw cane sugar, maple syrup, agave, or even a sugar alternative like erythritol for sugar-free Italian seasoning.
• Warm water: To bring the zesty Italian dressing to the desired consistency.
• Sea salt & black pepper: To season it to your liking.

What Else Could I Add?

When making a recipe for homemade Italian dressing, there are several delicious ways to adapt it.

• Onion: or shallot, finely minced for added flavor. Onion powder also works.
• Nutritional yeast: Add 1-2 tbsp for a nutty, ‘cheesy’, umami-rich flavor like parmesan.
• Fresh herbs: Add some fresh parsley or replace the dry herbs with 3x fresh.
• Red pepper flakes: To add some spice to the vegan Italian dressing.
• Paprika: Regular or smoked, added to taste for extra depth.
• Creamy Italian salad dressing: Replace 25-40% of the oil with vegan mayonnaise and/or vegan Greek yogurt.

How to Make Italian Dressing

• First, juice the lemon and measure out all the ingredients.
• Then combine all the ingredients in a jar, add a lid, and shake, shake, shake (or in a bowl and whisk).

• Taste and adjust any of the ingredients, then enjoy!

While it’s possible to use the Italian salad dressing immediately, for the best flavor, allow the flavors to meld for at least 30 minutes first.

Recipe Notes

• Taste and adjust: Tweak ingredients to fit your preferred dietary and flavor profile.
• Leave it to rest: Although you can enjoy it immediately, it will taste even better once the flavors have the chance to meld for a minimum of 30 minutes, though several hours, or overnight would be even better.
• Use high-quality ingredients: For the absolute best flavor.
• If the dressing firms up when chilled: It’s normal for olive oil to solidify when chilled. Simply bring it back to room temperature for 10-15 minutes (while prepping your meal) and shake well before serving.

Storage Instructions

Store the homemade Italian dressing in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks, shaking or whisking it between servings. I like to store it in these Weck jars (as shown below).

However, note that if you use fresh herbs, use the dressing within 3 days.

You can also freeze it in 1-2 tablespoon portions into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, then transfer the cubes to a Ziplock/Stasher bag for 3-4 months.

Serving Suggestions

This Zesty Italian dressing is surprisingly versatile and can be enjoyed with:

• Other salads: Leafy green salads (like our salad in a jar) or heartier options like Texas caviar, Brussels sprout salad, potato salad, or cucumber salad.
• Pasta and pasta salad: Like this summer pasta salad (or quinoa salad).
• As a marinade: For tofu, tempeh, + veggies like eggplant, zucchini, cauliflower, etc.
• As a dip: For roasted or grilled veggies, skewers, bread, etc.
• Toss into grains: Including rice, quinoa, farro, barley, etc.
• Other: i.e., toss it into a stir-fry, spread it over a vega deli sandwich or wrap, etc.

More Vegan Dressing & Sauce Recipes

• Basil salad dressing (with peanuts)
• Mexican avocado crema
• Japanese carrot-ginger salad dressing
• Cilantro green chili dressing
• Easy miso tahini dressing
• Vegan chipotle dressing

Photos by Alfonso Revilla