Creamy Italian Garlic Dressing

Creamy Italian Garlic Dressing made in minutes with simple pantry ingredients—smooth, herby, and full of flavor.

This creamy Italian garlic dressing has the familiar zesty, herb-packed flavor of Italian dressing, but with a richer, smoother texture. It is excellent on chopped salads, pasta salads, sandwiches, wraps, and as a marinade for chicken.

Yield

About 1 cup

Time

5 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 clove garlic, finely grated or minced
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, water, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard until smooth.

2. Add the sugar, garlic, dried parsley, oregano, dried basil, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

3. Whisk until the seasonings are evenly distributed and the dressing is creamy and well blended.

4. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until fully incorporated. If using Parmesan, stir it in at the end.

5. Taste and adjust. Add a splash more water if you want a thinner dressing for salads. Add a little more vinegar for extra tang, or an extra pinch of sugar if you want the flavor softened slightly.

6. Serve right away, or chill for 15 to 20 minutes to let the herbs hydrate and the garlic mellow slightly.

Notes

Grating the garlic instead of roughly chopping it gives the dressing a smoother texture and distributes the garlic flavor more evenly.

The Parmesan is optional, but it adds a subtle savory depth that makes the dressing feel a little more restaurant-style and full-bodied.

Storage

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir or shake well before serving.