A delicious and Homemade Italian Salad Dressing that is friendly to the Mediterranean diet.
This is really the perfect compliment dressing to most Mediterranean diet salads.
Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
Because I had been looking for a salad dressing that is friendly to the Mediterranean diet, I knew that I would have to make my own instead. This salad dressing uses fresh ingredients and no ingredients that are not friendly to the diet itself.
It was when I was sharing my recipe for Easy Italian Baked Chicken that I realized I needed to share a dressing recipe such as this one.
In that recipe, the marinade consists of a homemade version of an Italian dressing that is friendly to the Mediterranean diet. After searching for an Italian dressing to use in that recipe it dawned on me that using a homemade version was my best choice.
Do you want to learn more about the Mediterranean Diet?
Find out how to follow the Mediterranean Diet here.
Have you ever wondered how do you make Italian dressing from scratch?
Making a Mediterranean diet version of Italian dressing reminds me of making vinaigrette dressing.
Both recipes incorporate Vinegar and Olive Oil.
However, this salad dressing also features Italian Seasonings.
These seasonings, along with a few other flavors, are what make this Italian salad dressing what it is.
Personalizing either salad dressing recipe can make them even better in my opinion.
It is what kind of oil do you use for Italian dressing that makes this Mediterranean diet-friendly.
The Mediterranean diet focused on using plant based oils in the diet. These unsaturated or monosaturated oils or fats are what is recommended.
Olive oil is probably the most used oil in Mediterranean food.
Obviously, this would have something to do with the abundance of olives in the Mediterranean area of the world.
But, in the case of this salad dressing, olive oil is also probably the most flavorful with salad.
Tips for making Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
I mentioned that this recipe calls for Olive Oil. Olive oil is the quintessential oil associated with Mediterranean diet cuisine.
Here are some more great tips for you.
- This recipe calls for Red Wine Vinegar. Other vinegars that could also work include balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar.
- Using fresh herbs is always preferred in a recipe such as this one. However, we all know that fresh herbs are not always feasible so using regular Italian Seasonings etc is an option.
- We all have our own personal tastes so feel free to tweak the ingredients to your likings. This includes the oil and vinegar that is added to this recipe.
This recipe for salad dressing can really be made in almost any kind of a container.
I like to make my salad dressing in wider mouth jar, such as a canning jar with a lid, that I can fit a small sized whisk into if needed.
I should also mention that this homemade Italian salad dressing can be made in advance.
Simply combine the ingredients in the jar storing it in the refrigerator covered for up to two days. When you are ready to serve the dressing allow it to get to room temperature and then whisk or mix and then pour.
This Homemade Italian Dressing is not just for salads!
This dressing makes for a great marinade. You could also use less oil and vinegar to add some Greek Yogurt to make a great tasting dip!
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- Easiest Greek Salad in Vinaigrette Dressing.
- Use this dressing in my Easy Chicken Foil Packet recipe!
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
I mentioned that this recipe calls for Red Wine Vinegar. Other vinegars that could also work include balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar.
Also, since we all have our own personal tastes you can feel free to tweak the ingredients to your likings.
I like to make my salad dressing in wider mouth jar, such as a canning jar with a lid, that I can fit a small sized whisk into if needed.
The Ingredients needed in this Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
- Vinegar- ½ cup Red Wine Vinegar is a good choice for this recipe. Other vinegars that could also work include balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
- Olive Oil- 1 ½ cups.
- Garlic- 1 clove minced (about 1 teaspoon) or crushed.
- Seasonings- 4 teaspoons total for the dressing. Additional for the chicken as needed. This can include Italian Seasonings, Salt, and/or Pepper.
- Crushed Red Pepper- ½ teaspoon.
- Sugar- 1 teaspoon. Can try an alternative.
- Optional- Dijon Mustard (1-2 teaspoons), Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon), or honey (1-2 teaspoons).
How to make this Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
- You can use mixing bowl to make this for immediate serving.
I like to make my salad dressing in wider mouth jar, such as a canning jar with a lid, that I can fit a small sized whisk into if needed. You can find other kinds of salad dressing jars easily online (some more fancy looking than others!). - Combine together your ingredients in a jar or bowl. Adjust the ingredients as needed for your needs.
- Before serving this dressing use whisk to blend the ingredients together.
- Store this salad dressing covered in the refrigerator for up to two days.
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
Better than store-bought! This easy recipe for Homemade Italian Salad Dressing is for followers of the Mediterranean diet.
Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- Vinegar- ½ cup Red Wine Vinegar is a good choice for this recipe. Other kinds of vinegar that could also work include balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar.
- Olive Oil– 1 ½ cups.
- Garlic– 1 clove minced about 1 teaspoon or crushed.
- Seasonings- 4 teaspoons total for the dressing. This can include in addition to Italian Seasonings Salt, and/or Pepper.
- Crushed Red Pepper- ½ teaspoon.
- Sugar– 1 teaspoon. Can try an alternative. Optional- Dijon Mustard 1-2 teaspoons, Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon), or honey (1-2 teaspoons).
Instructions
- You can use mixing bowl to make this for immediate serving.
I like to make my salad dressing in wider mouth jar, such as a canning jar with a lid, that I can fit a small sized whisk into if needed. You can find other kinds of salad dressing jars easily online (some more fancy looking than others!). - Combine together your ingredients in a jar or bowl. Adjust the ingredients as needed for your needs.
- Before serving this dressing use whisk to blend the ingredients together.
- Store this salad dressing covered in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Recipe Notes
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Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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