Tangy, zesty, and bright, this vegan Italian dressing will be your next favorite condiment! A simple recipe that is ready in minutes and only requires a few simple ingredients.
I also love how versatile this recipe is, and especially enjoy using it to dress my protein pasta salad or drizzle it over my air-fried Portobello mushrooms.
Although it is much more convenient to pick up a bottle of salad dressing from the grocery store, I love making my own vegan Italian salad dressing. It's incredibly quick to whip up and bursting with fresh, zesty flavor. Plus, it’s fully customizable, allowing you to tailor it to suit your taste.
In addition to salad dressings, I also enjoy making other condiments at home, such as vegan spaghetti sauce, Thai basil pesto, and vegan teriyaki sauce.
💚Why you will love vegan Italian dressing
- Bursting with flavors, with a bright tang that will elevate any salad
- Quick and easy, requiring only a few pantry staples
- Refrigerate well, making it great for meal prep
- Highly versatile – Other than salads, you can drizzle it over veggies or use it to elevate your favorite Buddha bowls.
🫙What you will need
- Oil – Extra virgin olive oil is recommended, as it has the best flavor and aroma for salads. If the taste of extra-virgin olive oil is not for you, substitute it with a neutral-flavored oil, such as light olive oil, avocado oil, or sunflower oil.
- White wine vinegar – Can be substituted with red wine vinegar or lemon juice.
- Maple syrup (not pictured) – Mellows the acidity of the vinegar. Feel free to use other liquid sweeteners in place, such as agave nectar.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
✨Add-ins and variations
- Spice it up – Stir in a teaspoon of red chili flakes or Dijon mustard.
- Boost the umami – Add 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast or vegan parmesan cheese to enhance the savoriness and richness of this vegan Italian dressing.
- Customize the herbs – You can add other dried herbs that you like, such as dried thyme, rosemary, or sage.
- Make it creamy - add up to ¼ cup of vegan mayo, depending on how creamy you like your dressing to be.
🔪How to make vegan Italian dressing
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a glass jar. Seal and vigorously shake until everything is well incorporated and the dressing is slightly emulsified.
Step 2: After combining, taste it and add more seasonings if needed. Use immediately, or store it in a glass jar and refrigerate for later use.
🥗Ways to use dressing
Salads - Toss it over salad greens to make a simple chopped salad. You can also use it in my tomato cucumber tomato salad or romaine avocado salad.
Roasted vegetables – Elevate your roasted veggies, like roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, or cauliflower, by drizzling on some of this Italian dressing!
In cooked grains – For a heartier side, mix it in cooked grains of your choice, such as quinoa, brown rice, or couscous. Add some chopped fresh herbs for added brightness.
Over grain or Buddha bowls – It’s also perfect for adding a delicious finishing touch to grain bowls or Buddha bowls.
As a bread dip – You can also use it as a dip for crusty breads, such as ciabatta or sourdough.
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❄️Storing suggestions
Fridge - Dressing can be refrigerated for 2 weeks, ideally in a sealed glass jar.
Depending on the type of oil used (such as EVOO) and the temperature of your fridge, the dressing may thicken and turn jelly-like when chilled. Let the dressing come to room temperature, about 15-20 minutes, then give it a shake to re-combine before using.
Freezer - Dressing can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Freeze them using silicone ice-cube trays, and once they are frozen solid, transfer them to a zip-top bag for storage.
Allow frozen dressing to thaw overnight in the fridge. Give it a good stir before using.
❔Commonly asked questions
Store-bought Italian dressing is not always vegan, as it can contain animal products such as honey, Parmesan cheese, and other milk-based additives. Hence, do turn and read the ingredient label before purchasing.
To make Italian dressing creamy, add up to ¼ cup of mayonnaise. Adjust the amount added to your desired creaminess and richness.
📖 Recipe
Easy Vegan Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil (extra virgin preferred)*
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional)
- 1-2 teaspoon maple syrup (optional, or another sweetener)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾-1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- genorous pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a mason jar.
- Place the lid on, and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for later use.
Notes
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Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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