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Homemade salad dressing is way better than store-bought, and this creamy vegan Italian dressing is no exception! It's rich yet tangy, and tastes delicious on everything from chicken to salad and pizza! It whips up in 5 minutes and it's gluten-free, dairy-free, and so easy to make!
Vegan Italian salad dressing is so versatile! Use it it to dress cold pasta salad, roasted veggies, cherry tomatoes, green salads, or roasted salmon. It doubles as a quick dip for bread or veggies too. It lasts for a week in the fridge so I like to make it on Monday and enjoy it all week long.
Homemade dressing is simple to make and it tastes so much better than store bought or traditional Thousand Island Dressing. The base of any vinaigrette is oil and vinegar - two ingredients most likely already in your pantry. The rest of the ingredients just add more oomph, creaminess, zest, or tang!
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Many store-bought creamy Italian salad dressings contain Romano cheese. For this vegan creamy Italian dressing, garlic and spices give it flavor, while nutritional yeast makes it creamy. The best part is it tastes divine with no additives or preservatives. It's made with wholesome ingredients like olive oil, vinegar, lemon, and spices.
👩🍳 Why This Recipe Works
- No sneaky additives, preservatives, or artificial flavorings
- Creamy Italian dressing without any animal products
- Easy recipe with basic ingredients
- Use it as a dipping sauce, a marinade, or a salad dressing
- Adds zesty flavor to vegan meats
- Throw it together in 5 minutes
- Plenty of ways to use vegan dressing
- Best vegan Italian dressing ever!
🥘 Ingredients
This vegan Italian dressing recipe is made with simple ingredients you can find at your local grocery store or in your pantry!
Olive Oil: Oil and vinegar make up the base of this vinaigrette so make sure it's one you like! Avocado oil and canola oil are great options too.
Red Wine Vinegar: Salad dressing is typically made with either white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar, but if you don't have either apple cider vinegar will do.
Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a bright burst of flavor! In a pinch, you can use the bottled kind but fresh will always taste the best.
Garlic Cloves: Two garlic cloves add plenty of flavor. If you prefer a mild garlic flavor, use one clove instead of two. If you don't have fresh garlic, you can also use garlic powder.
Spices: Italian herbs really make this homemade dressing sing. Oregano, basil, and thyme do the trick. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper! Italian seasoning works too. Start with two teaspoons and adjust to taste.
Sugar: A tablespoon of sugar balances out all the delicious flavors. Maple syrup or agave nectar are good refined-sugar free options.
Nutritional Yeast: This secret ingredient is what makes the dressing creamy without any egg, cheese, nuts, or dairy. Some recipes use raw cashews or sunflower seeds to achieve a creamy texture, so this homemade recipe is a great nut-free option.
📖 Variations
You can customize this easy vegan Italian dressing recipe to suit your tastes! Here are a few variations to try.
- Oil: Moist types of oil will work here, just be sure you like the flavor of the oil you use. Sunflower oil, avocado oil, olive, or canola oil are all great options.
- Oil Free Italian Dressing: I wouldn't recommend making this dressing oil-free, but you can reduce the oil to 3/4 cup if you want a low calorie Italian dressing. It will be slightly tangier.
- Vegan Olive Garden Dressing: Add vegan parmesan cheese to taste!
- Italian Vinaigrette: For a simple vinaigrette, leave out the nutritional yeast. This will result in a zesty dressing instead of a creamy one.
🔪 Instructions
Here's how to make this easy recipe! No need for a food processor, just a jar with a lid will do!
Combine Ingredients: Combine all the ingredients in a mason jar or container that you can seal with a lid.
Shake: Shake well until combined.
Serve: Pour over mixed greens, pasta salad, or grilled chicken!
❓ Recipe FAQs
Is Italian dressing vegan?
Sometimes, it really depends on the variety and brand. Some contain eggs or cheese to achieve a creamy texture. I prefer to make my own salad dressing, because then I don't need to worry about checking the ingredient list for sneaky ingredients. It also means no additives, preservatives, or high fructose corn syrup!
Is Italian dressing healthy?
This homemade version is! It's made with heart-healthy olive oil, red wine vinegar, spices, and protein-packed nutritional yeast. Store bought versions will often have added sugar, preservatives, or too much oil - making them less healthy than homemade.
How should I store this healthy Italian dressing?
Store it in a sealed jar or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If the olive oil solidifies, just let it warm up at room temperature for a few minutes then give it a good shake.
What should I serve this dressing with?
The opportunities are endless with this homemade Italian dressing recipe. Drizzle it on any protein, vegetable, or salad with great results. It pairs exceptionally well with tomatoes, red onion, white beans, bell peppers, cooked pasta, chicken, or tofu!
💭 Expert Tips
- If the oil thickens in the refrigerator, let the dressing come to room temperature and then give it a good shake.
- There's no need to use a high-speed blender or food processor, but you can if you like a thicker dressing.
- For a more robust olive flavor, use extra virgin olive oil.
- Italian dressing recipes are all slightly different. If you prefer a tangy flavor, leave out the nutritional yeast.
- Vegan products can be tricky to find. Nutritional yeast should be with regular yeast but it can also be found in the health food section.
- Creamy salad dressings taste even better on day two when all the amazing flavors have had a chance to sit.
