I like to call this easy vegan Italian dressing my "Italian Restaurant-Style Vinaigrette" because it has the same flavor as the dressing you get at your favorite Italian restaurant. It's bright, herbaceous, and slightly sharp from the garlic, but with just enough sweetness from the maple syrup to balance it out. Plus, you only need 5 simple ingredients, so it takes almost no time to throw together. I could eat it on anything and suspect you'll feel the same way!
This simple red wine vinaigrette dressing is one of my all-time favorite salad dressings. Not only is it almost too easy, but that flavor gets me every time.
I love balancing sweet and savory flavors and red wine vinegar is mellow enough without being too sharp. That little touch of sweetness from the maple syrup makes you want to come back for bite after bite.
Since it's so easy and versatile, I tend to use it all the time! It really brings out the flavors in this Loaded Panzanella Salad and adds a nice punch in my Vegan Tortellini Pasta Salad.
Serve it over your favorite greens with your favorite veggies for a simple side salad or use it to make the most out-of-this-world Italian salads. You really cannot go wrong.
Why you’ll love this Easy Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
- Relies on everyday kitchen staples like oil, vinegar, and syrup
- Iconic flavor that tastes great with pasta, lasagna, and more
- Takes just moments to whisk together
- Lasts an entire week in the fridge
- Each batch costs pennies to throw together
Ingredients for Classic Italian Dressing
This is a true pantry recipe - you need literally a handful of basic ingredients. The only fresh ingredient is garlic, which most of us have around all the time. This means you can make it in seconds, ditch the trip to the store, and still have a delicious, chef-quality dressing for your salads and more. It's perfect.
- Extra virgin olive oil - This is my go-to for salad dressings since olive oil is so good for you. Feel free to use whichever neutral oil you prefer, like avocado oil, canola oil, etc.
- Red wine vinegar - Red wine vinegar is a classic Italian condiment and really brings an iconic flavor. It's not too sharp yet has a full bodied flavor and subtle sweetness. White wine vinegar or white balsamic vinegar can work in a pinch.
- Pure maple syrup - For a touch of sweetness.
- Fresh garlic - For a sharp, savory note. Garlic powder can work as well, but won't add nearly the same intensity.
- Seasonings - Dried herbs work really well in vinaigrettes, especially Italian seasoning. Just be sure to give the herbs time to hydrate and release their flavors. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
How to Make Vegan Italian Salad Dressing
- To a jar add oil, vinegar, pure maple syrup, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Shake until well combined.
Storing Suggestions
Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator, ideally a mason jar or glass bottle. Use within 7 days for the best quality.
Note: The extra-virgin olive oil will solidify when cold. Pull out before using and let it come to room temperature so that olive oil becomes liquid again. Give it a good shake before serving.
Tips for Making the Best Red Wine Vinaigrette Dressing
- Use fresh herbs. Feel free to add some fresh parsley or basil in addition to the dried herbs. A little goes a long way!
- Give it some time. The dried Italian herbs need some time to rehydrate. If you can let the dressing sit for 30 minutes to an hour, you'll get an even stronger flavor.
- Salt to taste. Salt is a key ingredient in vinaigrettes since it brings out flavor but also balances the acidity of the vinegar. Give it a taste and if it doesn't taste fully flavored yet, add a little bit more.
FAQs
Yes and no. Most bottled Italian dressings at the grocery store are vegan, although some will include parmesan cheese or dairy here and there. There are also many, many types of Italian dressing out there; there's not just one recipe. Different Italian dressings may include dairy, egg, or even anchovies.
To be on the safe side, always read the label closely, or even better, make your own Italian dressing at home. Homemade salad dressings are incredibly easy to make and you can control the quality of the ingredients.
How to Serve
This is one of those recipes you keep on hand all the time. It's not just something we make for special occasions - we live off of this stuff! It's so easy to make and works well on a wide range of salads.
Serve it on green salads with Mediterranean flavors, like olives, tomatoes, and artichokes. I love it in this Vegan Panzanella Pizza Salad with vegan pepperoni, cheese, olives, and more. So good!
I really like how the sharpness of the vinegar cuts through rich flavors, so we tend to serve it alongside hearty, cheesy dishes, like my Vegan Cheezy Lasagna or these Meaty Vegan Stuffed Shells.
You can also use it for pasta salads, potato salads, and more. It's easily one of the most versatile homemade salad dressing recipes on the blog and just may be the perfect dressing.
More Vegan Salad Dressing Recipes
Love this recipe? Drop a comment below to share your experience with others!
Craving more? Explore all of my free ebooks or come hang out with over 1 million other plant-based foodies on Instagram!
Italian Restaurant Style Vinaigrette (Vegan)
Ingredients
- ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ½ cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp dry Italian Seasoning
- 1 small clove garlic minced
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- To a jar add oil, vinegar, pure maple, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper.
- Shake until well combined.
- Store sealed tightly in the refrigerator.
- The olive oil will solidify when cold. Pull out before using and let it come to room temperature so that olive oil becomes liquid again.
- Use within 7 days for best quality.
Leave a Reply