This Classic Creamy Italian Salad Dressing recipe is one for the books! It’s packed with delicious herbs and makes the perfect addition to any garden salad! And it’s SO easy to make!
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I love making homemade salad dressing. There’s really no comparison between dressings you can buy from the store and ones you make at home the old fashioned way – shaken in a mason jar or blended in the blender. This Classic Creamy Italian Salad Dressing is a recipe for the books! It’s got all the classic Italian dressing flavours and it goes perfectly with any garden salad. Add a sprinkling of fresh Parmesan and you’ll be in salad heaven!
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The only sugar in this recipe is 2 teaspoons of honey for flavour (and you can always leave that out if you wish), so you can rest assured it’s a healthier choice than most grocery store bottled salad dressings!!
Mason jars are a great kitchen tool to have on hand for recipes like this Classic Creamy Italian Salad Dressing. They’re airtight, so you don’t have to worry about spills, they’re dishwasher safe and easy to clean, and they’re great for more than just salad dressings – I use them for smoothies, homemade jams, soups, and other food storage. Get my favourite go-to Mason jars HERE (affiliate link). And if you’re looking for other delicious salad dressing recipes to make in your mason jars, check out this Greek Yogurt Caesar Salad Dressing or this Honey Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing!
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I hope you love this Classic Creamy Italian Salad Dressing Recipe as much as we do! Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite kind of salad? I’d love to know!
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Looking for more delicious salad recipes? You’ll love these!!
- Berry Walnut Spinach Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
- Healthy Greek Yogurt Caesar Salad
- Brussels Sprouts Salad with Creamy Bacon Dressing
- Quick and Easy Greek Pasta Salad
- Rainbow Vegetable Pasta Salad
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Recipe Video
Watch the video below to see exactly how I make this easy vinaigrette. You can find more delicious recipe videos on my YouTube channel
Classic Creamy Italian Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup good quality olive oil
- 1/2 cup natural, high-quality mayonnaise
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- salt and pepper to taste
- a few tablespoons of water (ONLY IF NEEDED to thin the dressing out a little bit)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large mason jar and shake very well until combined. Store in the fridge for a few hours before serving, or serve immediately over your favourite garden salad.
- Shake well before serving.
- If the dressing is too thick, simply add water one teaspoon at a time to thin it out to the desired consistency.
Allison says
This looks fantastic! Pinning it and trying it soon.
Chrissie says
Thanks so much!!
Lee says
I put this on cheese tortellini salad that had veggies, mushrooms, and leftover roasted chicken + tomatoes. It was the perfect compliment!
The Busy Baker says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the positive feedback!
Paula says
Love making homemade dressings and Italian is one of my favs.
Chrissie says
Mine too!!
Melanie Bauer says
Healthy and yummy! Homemade salad dressings at it’s best, this is a keeper!
Chrissie says
Thanks so much!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
Homemade dressing is always hard to beat!
Chrissie says
I totally agree!!
Jamielyn says
YUM, so creamy and delicious! PERFECT for all types of salads!
Chrissie says
Thanks so much! I’m glad you like it!
Cheryl Sousan says
My husbands favorite dressing!! Can’t wait to make it for him!
Chrissie says
It’s my husband’s too!
Shelley says
My daughter isn’t a huge salad lover, but she does like creamy Italian on her greens. The problem is, bottled dressings can be so … meh. How much better to make your own at home! Thanks!
Chrissie says
So glad! Thanks so much!
Angie says
Yes, this dressing does look good and sounds good BUT when I made this to exact measurements, I let it sit in the fridge before tasting it and all I could taste was a strong vinegar taste. I had to make a quick change since I was taking this to a potluck. I took out half of the mix and replaced it with more mayonnaise and a little milk, then it tasted much better.
Chrissie says
Glad you figured out a way to make it work for you. We like a sharp Italian dressing, and when it’s on a salad the vinegar taste isn’t so strong anymore. 🙂
Josee says
I found the same thing I added mayo, sour cream, sugar and in the end I still had to add baking soda. I would redo this with half the white wine vinegar.
Elizabeth says
Not a fan of Italian Dressing, much less Creamy Italian. Never had it before. Don’t get the complaints about the vinegar, and not a big vinegar fan either. But this is DELICIOUS!
Elizabeth says
Recommend the vinegar nay-sayers try Rice Vinegar. Lighter and sweeter.
Chrissie says
Thanks!! We agree 😉
Andrea Draker says
This was the first time ever making a homemade salad dressing and I must say this one is delicious.
Chrissie says
Thanks so much! We love it too! 🙂
Nika says
Made this last night and it was delicious!
Chrissie says
So glad you loved it!
Mary H. says
Think this would be successful substituting yogurt the mayonnaise?
Chrissie says
I have used Greek yogurt in place of half the mayonnaise, yes 🙂 Give it a try!
Michelle Smart says
Yum, very good!
The Busy Baker says
So glad you liked this recipe!
Cheryl says
Such a great taste! If I want to thicken it up do I add more mayo or??? Thx!
Chrissie says
Yes, absolutely 🙂
Carolyn Cahill says
Can you use Champagne vinegar & if you leave mayonnaise out, do you still use olive oil & vegetable oil?
Chrissie says
You can use champagne vinegar, yes. 🙂
Celtics7cK'20 says
Yuuuuum …. I love delicious Italian dressing recipe. But I add more Ricotta Cheeses, Asian oil (Wijen), Soy Souce & Mirin. Wouuuuw yummmmy. Thanks so much.
Chrissie says
Glad you liked it! 🙂
Sandra says
this was delicious…no complaints about flavour however it was very runny. I followed the recipe exactly using measuring cups/spoons etc and didn’t change any ingredients or volumes. It was refrigerated for at least 2 hours before serving but was so thin and liquidy that I added more mayo and parm hoping to thicken it. Didn’t help that much but was still super tasty. I used Bertoli Olive oil and Helman’s full fat may btw. What did I do wrong?? I’d love to make this again as it tasted so great but it was way too thin.
Chrissie says
It’s not a super thick dressing (it’s not American-style like ranch, etc.), so that’s probably why.
Melissa says
I use an immersian blender and it helps thicken it a bit more.
meng says
This looks fantastic! Pinning it and trying it soon.
Joan Mohr says
Love this! We are big fans of making everything from scratch and this is soooo bursting with flavor with wonderful ingredients. Bet it would go wonderfully on baked potato or steamed veggies also, or chicken. Thank you so much.
The Busy Baker says
Thank you Joan! We love this dressing too!!
Cj says
Delicious
The Busy Baker says
Thank you!!
KathyG says
Made this dressing for a green salad for girls night. Absolutely delicious and everyone wanted the recipe. Thanks!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks so much Kathy! Glad everyone enjoyed it!🙂
Everly says
love dressings with every spicy food. and your recipe took my heart. so easy to make and nice to eat. I blog frequently and I really appreciate your information. This article has truly peaked my interest. I will take a note of your blog and keep checking for new information about once a week.
The Busy Baker says
Thank you Everly!! So glad to hear you like it so much!🙂
Assma says
The best Italian dressing I’ve ever made! My hubby loved it.
Thank you for the recipe.
The Busy Baker says
Glad to hear that!!🙂
Jai says
This was super easy to make & absolutely delicious!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks so much Jai!!
Graham Onions says
These look soooooooo good! I’m definitely pinning this so I can make them soon! My family loves all recipes, so this will be a hit. Thanks again!
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome!! Thanks for your review!!
Otlando says
Also try red wine garlic vinegar my fav!!!
Starla Dietz says
Made this on a whim for my husband and I , so good….that is all i can say. So easy, all ingredients that i keep in our kitchen, and just YUM.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Starla!!🙂
George Shapiro-Weiss says
This has just become my very favorite creamy Italian dressing. It is a rich, delicious dressing with fabulous flavors that blend well and make a salad come to life. Thanks so much for this great recipe.
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome George!! Glad you love it!
Nancy says
Made this Italian dressing tonight to go with our salad — it’s quick and easy with a wonderful taste. Love how the honey balances the tartness of the dressing. Definitely a go-to recipe from now on.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks so much Nancy!! Glad you like it!
Melissa says
This has become my go to recipe! I haven’t bought bottled dressing since shelter in place started in March! So much better to make at home. I mostly stick to the measurements, but vary it depending on mood (sometimes less parmesan, sometimes more vinegar instead of lemon…when I don’t feel like squeezing). It’s sooo easy! Thank you!
The Busy Baker says
Happy to hear you like the recipe so much!
Rogers Williams says
That’s look wonderful. Going to make it tomorrow. Going to bookmark your website right now.
The Busy Baker says
Let us know how it turns out!🙂
Farha says
Instead of parmesan cheese can I use mozzarella cheese and vegetable oil instead of olive oilq
The Busy Baker says
I wouldn’t recommend either one of those substitutions as they would seriously change the flavour profile of the dressing. The parm is a hard, matured cheese with a strong, distinct flavour while mozzarella is a soft cheese that is very mild in flavour(it’s great for melting though). Also, olive oil is a flavourful oil while vegetable oil is a neutral one. For a salad dressing that doesn’t call for parm or olive oil check out my Creamy Vinaigrette. Enjoy! https://thebusybaker.ca/spinach-salad-with-creamy-vinaigrette/
james brown says
these looking so nice, I want to try it now. At the early days I will do it to cook it in my own smoker.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks James!
John Roberts says
Thanks for sharing. Going to try it right now.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks John! Let us know how it goes!!
Quinn Alana says
So good! Missed soup plantation’s creamy Italian dressing and found this…not disappointed at all. Everyone at the dinner table enjoyed, will definitely be making this again…so easy and yummy.
The Busy Baker says
Thank you for your feedback!!🙂
Gabriele Veldtrup says
Hi! I very rarely comment on a recipe. But his recipe deserves 10 stars! You see, even when I follow a recipe to the letter I have never been able to get the results I hoped for. And although I can cook I have yet to master salad dressings! So I was elated when after following the recipe, the salad dressing turned out perfect! And sooooo delicious! I’m still in shock that it actually turned out soo great! Thank you for sharing! This recipe I’ll definitely make again!
Chrissie says
I’m so glad you liked it!! 🙂
elliot says
thanks for this recipe I use this after playing sports
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome Elliot!!🙂
Elliott says
Great recipe! I just finished it last night and the result was unexpected, my wife and daughter both liked it, which made me happy. Thanks for your guide.
Chrissie says
So glad you liked it!
lazyme says
Yum. This was recommended by Nancy and I’m so glad that I tried this. It was super simple and delish on my salad. Thanks for sharing.
Chrissie says
I’m so glad you love it!
Adrina Steve says
the great recipe thanks for sharing this delicious recipe. I gonna try this soon.
Chrissie says
Hope you enjoy it!
Mary says
Delicious!
JostLori says
I made this dressing based on Nancy’s recommendation. Wow! So good! I love the tanginess from the lemon. Made it today and can’t wait to try it again tomorrow once the flavors have melded a bit more. Thanks for posting this little gem!
The Busy Baker says
Thank you for your feedback! Enjoy!☺️
JostLori says
This is even better on the second day!!!
KathyD says
Yummy dressing! I loved the Italian dressing flavor, which was very pronounced, and the creamy texture combination. It was easy to make and made for a nice go-to dressing for the week. Thank you!
The Busy Baker says
I’m happy you enjoyed it! Happy cooking ☺️
Kathleen McLean says
So delicious!!! My daughter and I added this to our quinoa and spinach salad and it became an instant favourite!!
The Busy Baker says
I’m so glad you liked it! Happy cooking!
Michelle G says
This dressing is amazing, I’ll never go back to store bought dressings.
Chrissie says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!
Kathleen Klipp says
Excellent. Needed a little red pepper.
Chrissie says
Great idea! Glad you enjoyed it!
카피툰 says
So yummy and tasty. I really like it. And i will try this at home. Plz keep sharing such type of posts. Thank you!
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome!!
Gary Kaufman says
That looks very delicious and tasty I will surely try this. thanks
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome Gary!!
Shannon F says
I’ve been using this recipe for my pasta salads for a few years now and it’s ALWAYS a hit! I even have had requests. It is absolutely delicious and so flavorful!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your review Shannon!!
Jeanne Berryhill says
We LOVED the flavor of this dressing but are used to the thicker consistency of a ranch dressing, for example. What would you suggest to thicken it a bit without altering that heavenly flavor?
Chrissie says
I’d recommend adding a bit more mayo if you want to thicken it up, although this will dilute the flavours a bit.
Welder Stream says
Thanks for sharing wonderful recipe.
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome!!
marilyn Paperello says
This dressing is very delicious. It’s easy to make and will be my go to dressing from now on. Perfect!!!!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Marilyn!!
chrisjordan says
These seem to be delicious! I’m pinning this to get them as fast as possible! This will be a success with my dad, who enjoys all kinds of recipes. Thank you once more! can You Make this Recipe o Best Flat TopGrills?
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome!!
Hanry Joj says
I Really Love the Recipe Thanks ALot Going to Rate 5 with Pure Love
The Busy Baker says
Thank you for your feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Happy cooking ☺️
Judy says
very very good!! made it Sunday for a cold pasta salad…making it again today because it was so danged good!!! thank you for sharing!!
The Busy Baker says
I’m glad you enjoyed it ☺️
Cheryl Keeney says
Could you not put advertisements on top of the recipe? And I think you win for the most advertisements on one page. I had to print the recipe to be able to read it..just too many advertisements for my browser to manage.
Chrissie says
Hi Cheryl, thanks for your feedback on the ads. I’m always in the process of moving ads around and adjusting for user experience and so I appreciate you letting me know!
C says
An amazing, tasty, dressing. Definitely better than anything from a store. Kept for 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Chrissie says
So glad you liked it!
Jan says
It’s now my go to dressing… so easy to make and tastes fabulous ! Always, have it in my fridge… this makes a lot… don’t need to thin with water… You will love this dressing!!♥️
The Busy Baker says
So glad to hear that Jan! Thanks!🙂
Kenneth Vilcheck says
There was a restaurant in Charleston SC Garibaldi’s, that closed after 35 years of success. They served a hearts of palm salad with a tangy creamy Italian dressing that I miss so much. Your recipe is almost identical. It is now my go to salad dressing. The key is letting it refrigerate overnight. Thanks for this recipe!
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome Kenneth!! Glad this recipe brought back nice memories and thanks for the tip!🙂
Clara Wong says
Thank you for sharing this yummy recipe.
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome Clara! Thanks!😊
Dorcas Nepple says
I’ve made this salad dressing several times now. The flavor is the right combination of tangy, salty, and sweet. It coats the salad nicely, too. It lasts us usually about 3-4 nights. My husband loves it, too. Thanks much.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks for your feedback Dorcas!!😊
Emeril Lagasse says
Thanks you, Your blog is great and this recipe very usefull with me.
The Busy Baker says
So glad you like the blog and the recipes!! Thanks for your feedback Emeril!!
Emeril Lagasse says
Thanks you, Your blog is great and this recipe very usefull with me. I will try it today.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks! Let us know how it turns out!
Vilko says
Italian Dressing
This tangy, bell pepper-and-herb flecked salad dressing is a favorite in many American restaurants. But “dressing” as Americans know it doesn’t exist in Italy—there, salads are exclusively dressed with oil and vinegar, or sometimes just oil.
Chrissie says
Yes, I agree 🙂 This is definitely a North American-style Italian dressing.
Fred says
I just went and bought those Mason jars. Love them!
The Busy Baker says
We too!!😄
Lady D says
I’m an American expat living in Nigeria, I actually tried this recipe and liked it. I added more of the called for ingredients and put a pinch of dill in mine. My family loved it.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Lady D! So glad they loved it!!
jassica says
Italian food are always amazing in world .
Its really nice to us . you have to share your points with us .
Thank you so much for this
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome Jassica! Thanks!
Mimi says
Very good. I did not add any honey or thyme. Family and friends loved it. It’s a keeper,
The Busy Baker says
Glad you liked the recipe Mimi!!
Ken says
I replied a couple of months ago. In the meantime I’ve changed a few things which doesn’t change the taste. I’m using vegan Mayo (I’m not a vegan I have heart disease) to lower fat content as well as light olive oil. For convenience I use Italian herbs already mixed rather than each herb separately. I was surprised the Mayo didn’t change the flavor. After 2 months of use, I’m still addicted to it. Truly the best salad dressing I’ve ever had!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks so much Ken for your feedback! Glad you still love the recipe!🙂
moozi says
Really its supper yummyyy am so luck to caught this blog post its really according t my taste ,
Now bookmark it and share with fellows thank you so much
The Busy Baker says
Thanks so much for letting us know! Glad you like it!!
Lurra says
This is supper fantastic recipe am pin it and try it soon
love this italian dressing food stuff
thank you
The Busy Baker says
Thanks so much Lurra! We love this dressing too!😊
tom says
I am reading this great information about the classic creamy Italian salad dressing thanks sharing this article
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome Tom! Glad you like the recipe!
oliva says
Thanks sharing this article about the classic creamy Italian salad dressing
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome Oliva!!
Jan says
This is really amazing if you leave it in the fridge overnight. It thickens up and is absolutely delicious on rotini salad with veggies, chicken and feta cheese. Oh wow! Gonna add this gem to my collection!
The Busy Baker says
So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂
GTA game says
Thanks sharing this article about the classic creamy Italian salad dressing this is help us recipes
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome!
jari says
Thanks sharing this article about the classic creamy Italian salad dressing this is help us information
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome!
Baby Bassinet says
Wonderful recipe, I’ve made this salad dressing several times now. The flavor is the right combination of tangy, salty, and sweet.
The Busy Baker says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the positive feedback!
Adele Nepley says
What do I do if I can’t use mayonnaise?
Thanks
The Busy Baker says
I have never tried this recipe without mayo myself so I couldn’t tell you, if you try to make it leaving the mayo out, please let us know! Happy cooking ☺️
baby name combiner says
I try so many times . I love this salad dressing.
The Busy Baker says
So glad you liked it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂
Lori Putnam says
I wanted a mayo based dressing as I had no yogurt, and this fit the bill. I might try some of the suggestions re more mayo, sugar, etc, to cut the vinegar bite, but as is, it worked. Thanks for posting.
The Busy Baker says
Thank you for your feedback! I adjust it sometimes too depending on the salad I’m planning on serving it with. Happy cooking ☺️
Tapron says
Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it
The Busy Baker says
I’m happy you enjoyed it!
MAYA says
I’d recommend adding a bit more mayo if you want to thicken it up, although this will dilute the flavours a bit.
jolly says
wow, it just looks so juicy and delicious. I just want to taste it. It looks so easy to make at home easily. thanks for sharing this amazing article and delicious recipe.
The Busy Baker says
I hope you enjoy it! Let us know how it turns out!
Curry says
This dish is delicious and I’m so glad to have found this blog post because it’s right up my alley. What I like most about Italian dressing is it’s easy to put on food.
The Busy Baker says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
MAYA says
I can’t believe I found this on the internet! This is exactly what makes an Italian dressing so good. The best part about it? It’s super easy to put onto your food because you don’t need any fancy tools or anything, just some mayonnaise and vinegar for flavor (plus salt).
The Busy Baker says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Taylor Norma says
Just made this and it was delicious! Thank you for the recipe. I’ll be sure to try your other recipes in future, keep up the good work 🙂
The Busy Baker says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Debbie Osborne says
I made this Creamy Italian Dressing tonight. It is delicious! The perfect balance of herbs, acid, and creamy!
The Busy Baker Team says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Lauren says
Super yummy. Keep sharing such great things.
The Busy Baker says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Nazro Gayle says
Just made this and it was delicious! Thank you for the recipe. I’ll be sure to try your other recipes in future, keep up the good work 🙂
The Busy Baker says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. Happy cooking ☺️
tom says
wow, it just looks so juicy and delicious. I just want to taste it. It looks so easy to make at home easily. thanks for sharing this amazing article. i just love this one.
pool says
Such a great idea about the classic creamy Italian salad dressing thanks for sharing this article
The Busy Baker says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback.
Amy M says
I always make my own dressing but rarely a creamy dressing. This was very good and tangy. It does have a strong vinegar taste if just taste testing but on the salad it’s perfect.
The Busy Baker says
I am so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
alice says
Great one. classic creamy Italian salad dressing is a great idea. I will definitely try this,
The Busy Baker says
Let us know how it turns out!
alice says
Really excited. I will try this today
The Busy Baker says
Let us know how it turns out!
Ron says
The popups on your website are very annoying. Makes me less likely to visit your website again.
The Busy Baker Team says
Thanks so much for your feedback Ron. I completely understand your concerns, however because I offer all my recipes for free to my readers the ads on my blog provide me with the revenue required to continue offering my readers recipes free of charge. I will definitely take your feedback into account, however, as I regularly monitor and manage the ads and ad placement on my site. Cheers!
cook says
great thanks so much
The Busy Baker Team says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Joney sing says
Astonishing Recipe! I truly like it. It’s so delectable. Much obliged for sharing.
The Busy Baker Team says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! Happy baking ☺️
The Busy Baker Team says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
arbaz says
This is very nice and this articles is very helpful for everyone. I like it very much please keep doing this amazing work.
The Busy Baker Team says
I’m so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!
Taylor Norma says
Much obliged to you for the facts. I consider the way in which you teach us in this article wonderful.
The Busy Baker Team says
We’re so happy you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback!