Make this easy homemade Italian dressing in just 5 minutes using simple ingredients. Perfect to drizzle over salads or used as marinade for grilled chicken.

When you live in the country, access to a grocery store isn’t always easy. Or convenient. Usually you’re miles away from the nearest shop. And running all the way into town for something small, such as a bottle of salad dressing is a waste of time.

Thankfully our small country town does have a grocery store for those times when we run out of an item mid meal preparation. In a pinch we will run over there but unfortunately the organic options are slim to none.

If I’m being honest, there have been times when I go to make dinner and realize I forgot an ingredient. Or worse, have it in the pantry but realize it expired 3 months ago. Ugh!

There are some things that are worth the trip to the store and others, like salad dressing, that aren’t worth is because I can easily whip it up at home in no time.

As you walk down the aisle of the grocery store, take a look at the ingredient list on the back of the bottle of salad dressing. One of the first ingredients is sugar. Why? I don’t know about you but I think sugar belongs in a cake. Not in my dressing.

How to Make Homemade Dressing in Less Than 5 Minutes

My Mom and I have used this homemade dressing recipe for years. It’s a cross between a vinaigrette and an Italian dressing. We enjoy drizzling it over salads and dipping our veggies into it. I absolutely love the flavor it adds to fried chicken salads – yum! And the best part about this recipe? It allows you to use fresh herbs and veggies straight from your garden. Of course, if you’re reading this during the winter, this recipe is still delicious with dried herbs.

To make this dressing, you’ll need a blender and a few common ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Simply toss them together into the blender and mix until smooth. Feel free to adjust the ingredients to your taste. I am a big fan of dill so occasionally I toss in 2 heaping teaspoons … or maybe 3 teaspoons into the dressing.

When your dressing is ready, pour it over a salad, pasta salad or use it as a marinade. I store my dressing in a simple mason jar but there are plenty of other airtight salad bottles available online or at your local store.

Watch Video Tutorial

Italian Dressing Recipe

Makes: 8 ounces

Ingredients

3/4 cup oil (organic canola, sunflower or olive oil are all great choices)
2 Tbs white vinegar
1 Tbs shallot
1 tsp dijon mustard (optional)
2 tsp dill
1-2 garlic cloves
Pinch of salt (Himalayan pink salt is delicious and nutritious)
Pinch of ground pepper

Gather ingredients. Chop shallot, garlic and dill (if using fresh).

Place all ingredients together in a blender. Mix until smooth with little to no chunks remaining.

Serve. Drizzle over salads or use as a dipping sauce for fresh vegetables. Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Yield: 8 ounces