Easy Vegan Italian Dressing Recipe with Simple Ingredients
This Vegan Italian Dressing Recipe is a zesty, herb-packed condiment that’s as fresh as it gets. With vibrant red wine vinegar, olive oil, and a mix of savory herbs, it’s the perfect addition to salads, roasted veggies, or as a marinade. Whip it up in minutes and enjoy a healthier, homemade alternative to store-bought dressings.
Looking for more flavorful dressings? Try Vegan Honey Mustard Dressing, Dill Dressing, or Thousand Island Dressing.
Introduction
When I’m craving something tangy and full of bold, herby flavor, I always turn to this dressing. It’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients I keep in my pantry, and it has just the right balance of acidity, sweetness, and fresh herbs.
If you love quick, homemade dressings that taste so much better than store-bought, this one is a must-try. It’s a great addition to summer cookout menus — use it to marinade grilled veggies or toss it into a cold pasta salad for extra flavor. You can even mix a spoonful into my farmhouse coleslaw recipe to give it a zesty twist to die for.
Why This Recipe Works
- It’s 100% vegan and free from any animal-based ingredients.
- This dressing is incredibly quick and easy to make with simple pantry staples that come together in minutes.
- Versatility is key — it works as a salad dressing, marinade, or drizzle for roasted veggies.
- It’s customizable to your taste with simple options to adjust the sweetness or add heat.
- You’ll love the fresh, clean ingredients — no preservatives or additives like in store-bought versions.
Ingredients For Vegan Italian Dressing
Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavorful dressing:
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens up every other flavor in this recipe. Choose fresh whenever possible — it’s easy to keep on hand, without waste, when you follow my post on how to freeze lemon juice and preserve any extra for later use.
- Maple Syrup: Just a hint adds the perfect natural sweetness to balance the tang. Be sure to use pure maple syrup — its clean flavor truly makes all the difference.
- Oregano, Basil, Granulated Garlic, Onion Powder, Thyme, Parsley: When fresh herbs are in season, I always reach for them. They deliver that signature Italian flavor and elevate this dressing with every bite.
See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Would you like to save this post for later?
We'll email it to you, so you can come back to it whenever you like!
Variations or Substitutions
- You can switch up the oil by substituting olive oil with avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil for a lighter dressing.
- Feel free to try different herbs such as rosemary, tarragon, or even fresh herbs like basil and thyme for a new twist.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne, hot sauce, or red pepper flakes to the mix.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, stir in a spoonful of vegan mayo to make the dressing richer.
- If you want to change the sweetness, agave or date syrup can be substituted for maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
How To Make Vegan Italian Dressing
This recipe is super easy and takes just minutes to make!
Step 1: Put all the ingredients — olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and herbs — into a mason jar.
Step 2: Whisk until well combined, or seal tightly in a mason jar and shake vigorously. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, or maple syrup as needed. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator for later.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can substitute olive oil with avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil for a lighter dressing.
Yes, for best freshness, store it in the fridge. It will last up to 1 week.
Absolutely! It’s perfect as a marinade for tofu, tempeh, or grilled vegetables.
Yes, it’s naturally gluten-free.
Yes, this recipe scales up easily, so feel free to make more for later use.
Serve
This Vegan Italian Dressing is incredibly versatile and works well with many dishes. You can drizzle it over salads, toss it with pasta or grain bowls, or even use it as a marinade for veggies or tofu. It’s also perfect for adding a punch of flavor to veggie wraps or sandwiches.
For a fresh twist, try it as a topping for roasted vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or cauliflower. It also makes a fantastic dressing for potato salad or mixed greens — especially when served alongside summer favorites like Sparkling Blueberry Lemonade and Louisiana Chicken Fry at a warm-weather gathering.
Expert Tips
- Use a mason jar for mixing: Add all ingredients to a mason jar, seal tightly, and shake for an easy, mess-free mix.
- Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter dressing, add more maple syrup, or reduce the vinegar for a milder flavor.
- Add extra heat: For a spicy kick, stir in a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce.
- Storage tip: Keep your dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Shake well before using.
Vegan Italian Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tbls dijon mustard
- 1 tbls fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbls real maple syrup
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Add Ingredients to Mason Jar: Place all ingredients in a mason jar.
- Shake Vigorously: Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the mixture is well blended.
- Taste and Adjust (Optional): Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning if needed. Add more maple syrup for sweetness or vinegar for extra tang.
- Serve or Store: Use immediately or refrigerate for later use. Shake well before each use.
Notes
- Use Fresh Herbs When Available: Swap dried herbs for fresh ones when possible for a brighter, more vibrant flavor.
- Mix with a Whisk if Preferred: If you don’t have a mason jar, whisk the ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined.
- Add a Creamy Twist: Add 1/4 cup of tahini or vegan mayo for a thicker, creamy Italian dressing.
- Marinade Option: This dressing works wonderfully as a marinade for grilled vegetables.
- Storage Tip: Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake well before using as separation may occur.
This vegan Italian dressing is fresh, zesty, and full of delicious herbs and spices. It’s the perfect way to add bold flavor to salads, pasta dishes, or as a marinade. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think. Be sure to leave a review and let me know how it turned out for you. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments — I’m happy to help!