Homemade Italian Dressing Mix
Skip the store packet. This five-minute mix costs a fraction of the price, tastes noticeably better, and pulls double duty as a dressing, marinade, roasted vegetable seasoning, and more. Make it once, use it for months.
Servings: 5 tablespoons
Calories: 22kcal
Cost: $0.50–$0.70
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon celery salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Measure all dry ingredients into a small jar or airtight container.
- Cap tightly and shake well to combine.
- Label with the date and store in a cool, dark cabinet for up to 6 months.
Notes
To Make Dressing 2 tablespoons of dry mix makes about 1 cup of dressing. Combine the mix with ¼ cup white wine vinegar (or apple cider vinegar), 2 tablespoons water, ⅔ cup olive oil, 1–2 teaspoons lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon Parmesan powder (optional). Shake hard for 20 seconds. Let it sit an hour if you can. Shake again before pouring. Keeps in the fridge for about 2 weeks. If the oil solidifies when chilled, set it out for 10 minutes and shake.
Five Ways to Use It Beyond Salad
- Chicken marinade: Use ¼ cup prepared dressing per pound of chicken. Marinate 30 minutes to overnight. Grill, bake, or pan-sear.
- Roasted vegetables: Sprinkle 2 teaspoons dry mix onto a sheet pan of oil-tossed vegetables before roasting.
- Pasta salad rescue: Stir 1 tablespoon dry mix into a flat-tasting pasta salad with a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar.
- Bread dipping oil: Stir 1 teaspoon dry mix into a small dish of good olive oil. Add a splash of balsamic if you have it.
- Marinated mozzarella: Toss cubed fresh mozzarella with 2 teaspoons dry mix and a few tablespoons of olive oil. Let sit 30 minutes.
- Zesty: Double the red pepper flakes, add ½ tsp dried mustard.
- Garlic-forward: Add 1 extra teaspoon garlic powder.
- Low-sodium: Cut salt in half, add an extra ½ tsp dried herbs.
- Gift idea: Double the batch and give half away in a small mason jar with a handwritten label.
Nutrition
Calories: 22kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 584mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg
