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Vegan Italian Dressing Recipe

by Nicole | 6 Comments

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5 from 8 votes. Leave a review!

This quick and easy vegan Italian salad dressing recipe is a tangy and versatile homemade replacement for store-bought options. It’s free from dairy, gluten, grains, nuts and soy, making it easy to serve to a wide variety of people!

Use this as a salad dressing, for pasta (hot or cold), over rice or roast veggies with it. There’s plenty of ways to use this tasty recipe that’s ready in 10 minutes!

Straight on view of small glass jar of Italian dressing with spoon in it. White-blue striped towel to the left and wrapped behind the jar with a plate of salad blurred to the back right. White-grey marble background.

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Is Italian Dressing Vegan or Dairy Free?

This recipe is intended to replicate “zesty Italian” salad dressings that are widely available at North American grocery stores. Many of these store-bought options are accidentally vegan, however some include eggs (if mayonnaise-based) or dairy (with cheese, often Parmesan). It varies by brand so always read labels!

There’s certainly nothing wrong with using store-bought options; I keep a few on hand for when I don’t feel like making a homemade batch. However, I often make my own salad dressing because it’s quick, easy and customizable to my taste preferences!

Two plates of tossed salad made with lettuce, tomato, black olives, cucumber, red onion, artichoke and croutons, garnished with pickled peppers. Small jar of Italian dressing with spoon in it to the right edge of image, between the two plates. White-blue striped towel along left edge. White-grey marble background.

Is Italian Dressing Gluten Free?

Many store-bought salad dressings are gluten free, but it depends on the brand. It’s always best to check the label.

If cross-contamination issues are a concern, it may be easier to control the ingredients used by making Italian dressing at home!

Small jar of Italian salad dressing with spoon in it in front of three small white bowls filled with tossed pasta salad full of vegetables. White-grey marble background.

Homemade Vegan Italian Dressing Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that are likely already in your vegan kitchen!

  • Olive oil: One of the base ingredients for this dressing is olive oil which provides a rich flavor and makes for satiating dressings.
  • Red wine vinegar: This recipe is intended to replicate a “zesty” Italian dressing and to get that tang, red wine vinegar is a great choice! You can use white wine vinegar if you prefer or if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must for robust flavor and some kick in this zesty dressing. If more convenient, use ½ teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
  • Onion: Along with the garlic, onion is a delicious ingredient that packs in flavor to this Italian dressing. If needed, or to save time, use ½ teaspoon of onion powder instead.
  • Oregano: Herbs are always a great choice to add flavor and oregano is a tasty choice that brings an “Italian” flavor.
  • Lemon juice: For a fresh, citrusy zing, lemon juice rounds out the flavor of this dressing.
  • Salt and pepper: Boost flavors with salt and pepper!
  • Sugar: Some sugar helps balance the sour flavors of vinegar and lemon juice. Store-bought salad dressings (which we’re trying to replicate) often contain quite a bit of sugar so this ingredient truly helps achieve that flavor. I use regular, granulated sugar, but cane sugar also works.
  • Nutritional yeast: Many Italian dressings include some type of cheese and nutritional yeast is essentially the vegan version of that. It offers delicious flavor and makes the dressing taste “creamier”.
Nicole stands behind a counter that is covered with small jars of ingredients for salad dressing (lemon juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced onion and garlic, spices) and a small wood bowl filled with salad. She is smiling, wearing a dark green shirt with white globe on it and both hands are held to the side, slightly blurring as if she's waving.

How to Make Dairy Free Italian Dressing

This recipe is incredibly easy and super quick to make! Just grab a jar with a lid, or small mixing bowl with a whisk and you’ll be serving your dressing within minutes.

Step 1: Mince Garlic and Onion

To begin, peel then mince the garlic and onion. Take your time to get a finely minced texture for both; this helps distribute these tasty ingredients well throughout the dressing.

Step 2: Whisk Dressing and Serve

Once the garlic and onion are minced, add them to your jar or small mixing bowl then add the remaining ingredients.

A hand pours lemon juice from a small glass jar into a larger jar filled with olive oil and red wine vinegar, to make salad dressing. Small bowl of minced garlic and red onion and another bowl of spices sits on the granite countertop. A square wood bowl of salad to the right of the salad dressing.

If using a jar, secure its lid and shake vigorously until everything is combined. If using a mixing bowl, whisk the ingredients (with a whisk or a fork).

Your dressing is now ready to serve!

Hand holding small mason jar filled with dark yellow liquid with a few purple flecks. The jar is blurred as if in motion (being shaken). A small wood bowl filled with salad (red onion slices, tomato, croutons and lettuce) sits on the counter below the jar.

How to Serve as a Balanced Vegan Meal

This vegan Italian dressing is incredibly versatile. You can easily use it for a garden salad with a base of leafy greens and any additional veggies or salad add-ins you like! Toss in some chickpeas for protein and croutons (or a side of baguette) for a more well-rounded meal.

Hand pouring small jar of Italian dressing over large wood bowl filled with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, black olives, red onion, artichoke, croutons and pickled peppers. Bowl sits on white-blue striped towel with white-grey marble background. Small jar of salad dressing to back right with small wood dish of olives in bottom right corner.

It also tastes amazing as the dressing for a cold pasta salad or hot pasta dinner. Why not use it to flavor some rice or other grain?! Along with some roasted veggies and chickpeas, you’ll have a balanced meal.

Top view of large glass bowl filled with tossed pasta salad and garnished with two pickled peppers. Bowl on wood board with wood spoon on it. White-grey marble background with white-blue striped towel along left edge of image. Salad dressing and pickled peppers in top right corner; bowl of pasta salad in bottom left corner.

I’ve also used this dressing to roast veggies in. Chop your vegetables, toss with dressing and roast! The result is some truly amazing, flavorful roasted veggies – the perfect side dish.

To create a balanced meal, you’ll want a source of plant-based protein, carbohydrates, veggies and healthy fats. This dressing provides healthy fats and loads of flavor to any meal you like!

Top view of large oval dark wooden bowl filled with un-tossed salad (tomatoes, cucumber, pickled peppers, black olives, red onion, croutons and artichoke) with large wood fork and spoon resting on left edge of bowl. Blue-white striped towel along left edge with two small jars in bottom right corner.

How to Store Leftover Dressing

I always make salad dressing in a mason jar. This way, I just pop the lid on to refrigerate leftovers without using any extra dishes. If you didn’t use a jar, pour extra dressing into an airtight container before refrigerating.

It’ll last in the fridge for up to a week. You can easily make a double or triple batch if you want extra!

More Irresistible Salad Dressings

If you need more salad inspiration, why not try one of these great dressings:

If you make this recipe, please rate and comment below to help others benefit from your experience!

Square cropped image of Straight on view of small glass jar of Italian dressing with spoon in it. White-blue striped towel to the left and wrapped behind the jar with a plate of salad blurred to the back right. White-grey marble background.

Vegan Italian Dressing

This easy, homemade vegan Italian salad dressing recipe is quick to make with simple ingredients. Packed with flavor, it’s a great replacement for store-bought options. Free from dairy, gluten, soy and grains.
5 from 8 votes. Leave a review!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 138 kcal
Cuisine Italian-inspired, Vegan

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic , minced (about 2 small cloves)
  • 1 tablespoon onion , minced
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast
  • ½ teaspoon dry oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Step 1: Mince Garlic and Onion

  • Peel and mince some garlic. Add to a jar with lid or small mixing bowl.
    1 teaspoon garlic
  • Peel and mince some onion; any type of onion works (I typically use red onion). Add minced onion to the jar or mixing bowl.
    1 tablespoon onion

Step 2: Whisk Dressing and Serve

  • Add remaining ingredients to your jar or mixing bowl.
    ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 2 teaspoons sugar, 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast, ½ teaspoon dry oregano, ¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • Place lid on jar and shake vigorously to combine salad dressing ingredients (or whisk together in mixing bowl).
  • Serve over a bed of salad greens, use for pasta salad or roast veggies in the dressing!

Video

Notes

Accuracy of nutrition information cannot be guaranteed (certain ingredients may not have all nutrients listed in the database); amounts may vary (and will vary depending on brands of ingredients used); all nutrition fact values rounded to the nearest whole number.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving (¼ of recipe)Calories: 138 kcalCarbohydrates: 4 gProtein: 1 gFat: 14 gSaturated Fat: 2 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1 gMonounsaturated Fat: 10 gSodium: 149 mgPotassium: 44 mgSugar: 2 gVitamin A: 3 IUVitamin C: 2 mgCalcium: 7 mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Nicole Stevens

Nicole is a vegan Registered Dietitian (RD) and founder of Lettuce Veg Out.

She helps people thrive on a vegan diet with balanced recipes and easy-to-understand nutrition science.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Missy

    This is SO good!!! I'm glad I found your recipe. 🙂

    Reply

    • Nicole

      That's great to hear, glad you enjoyed!

      Reply

  2. Shelly Mitchell

    Utterly delicious dressing for not only Italian Salad, but fantastic on Pasta Salad as well.
    I also want to comment on the brilliance of your step-by-step instructions, adding the amounts under each step of the recipe. Brava!

    Reply

    • Nicole Stevens

      Hi Shelly! Thanks so much and happy you enjoyed the recipe 🙂

      Reply

  3. Alisha

    Could I use onion powder instead of chopped onion?

    Reply

    • Nicole Stevens

      Yes it should definitely work! 1/2 tsp - 1 tsp would be good.

      Reply

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