The first time I made this Italian dressing from scratch, it completely transformed a simple bowl of greens into the star of our family dinner. This vinaigrette combines tangy vinegar with smooth oil and fragrant herbs for a balanced flavor that store-bought versions simply can’t match. Once you start making this homemade Italian dressing, you’ll never go back to the bottled kind again.
Table of Contents
Why This Recipe Works
This dressing succeeds because it follows the classic vinaigrette ratio while incorporating the perfect balance of seasonings. The sugar mellows the acidity while garlic and herbs create depth. The beauty of homemade dressing is that oil and vinegar separate naturally, so each shake delivers freshly emulsified flavor.
Ingredients
- Vegetable oil – Creates the smooth base that carries all the flavors
- Cider vinegar – Provides the tangy acidity that defines a good vinaigrette
- Sugar – Balances the acidity with a touch of sweetness
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors and brings the dressing together
- Dried oregano – Adds the signature Italian herb flavor profile
- Crushed red pepper flakes – Delivers a subtle heat that wakes up your palate
- Minced garlic – Provides aromatic depth and classic Italian character
How to Make Homemade Italian Dressing
- Place all ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk to combine ingredients.
- Pour the dressing into an airtight bottle or jar.
- Refrigerate the dressing for several hours.
- Shake well before serving.
Easy Homemade Italian Dressing
This simple Italian dressing comes together in minutes and transforms any salad into something special. Fresh, tangy, and infinitely customizable!
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Servings: 8
Calories: 33kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl.
- Whisk to combine all ingredients together well.
- Pour dressing into an airtight bottle or jar.
- Refrigerate several hours before serving.
- Shake well before serving.
Notes
Whisking by hand works, but for a smoother emulsion, use a jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously. For an even smoother consistency, a quick blend in a blender creates a temporarily stable emulsion. Remember that oil and vinegar naturally separate, so always shake before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 33kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 291mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Variations and Substitutions for this easy Italian Dressing Recipe
Oil Options:
- Extra virgin olive oil – For a more pronounced Mediterranean flavor
- Canola oil – A neutral alternative to vegetable oil
- Grapeseed oil – Light and clean-tasting option
- Sunflower oil – Another neutral base option
Vinegar Options:
- Red wine vinegar – Offers a more robust, tangy flavor profile
- Balsamic vinegar – Provides a sweeter, more complex flavor
- White wine vinegar – Creates a lighter, more delicate dressing
Dietary Modifications:
- Vegan/Vegetarian: This recipe is naturally vegan and vegetarian
- Low-sugar: Reduce or omit sugar and add a dash of dijon mustard
- Herb variations: Try adding basil, thyme, or Italian herb blend
Storage and Serving
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
- Always shake well before serving as separation is natural
- Allow to come to room temperature for 10 minutes before serving if the oil solidifies
- Makes an excellent marinade for beef, particularly skirt or hanger steak
Tips for Making and Storing the Best Homemade Italian Dressing
- Fresh is best. Chop the fresh garlic and oregano if you can. Oil goes off quicker than you think and will ruin the flavor of your dressing.
- Use as a marinade for beef. This homemade Italian salad dressing works as an excellent quick marinade for skirt or hangar steak.
- Store in a jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give the jar a good shake before using the dressing.
Check out our other salad dressing on YouTube!
Love homemade salad dressing? Try these recipes!
- Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
- Buttermilk Salad Dressing
- Creamy French Dressing
- Hibachi Ginger Dressing
- Hot Bacon Dressing Recipe
- Pesto Salad Dressing
- Russian Dressing
Favorite Salad Recipes
- Cold Spaghetti Salad
- Garden Salad
- Italian Salad
- Kale Brussel Sprout Salad
- Taco Salad Recipe
- Wedge Salad
Check out my homemade salad dressing recipes and lots of easy salad recipes here on CopyKat!
Interesting reviews and comments. Have you ever heard of San Francisco seasoning? I used to get it in the 70’s in the Bay Area and it was perfect for coleslaw. Just mayo and SF seasoning was perfect. Alas, it is not sold anymore and I don’t know anyone who can duplicate it.
I have made a version of bernsteins restaurant recipe dressing. I think it is pretty close. but it has an ingredient you have to find that is not in your local supermarket.
Malted Barley Extract. I found it on amazon. It makes all the difference.
What I dont know is where to post it for the world to see properly.
Regards,
George
Where can I find the recipe for your version of bernsteins restaurant recipe dressing?
Margaret
EEEEK! Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian Dressing: Exactly what I’ve been looking for and what brought me here 🙂 Do share please!
Before they changed the quality by diluting it with water as the main ingredient – it was the hands-down absolute best dressing. We even used it as a raw food health bar I worked at in the 1970s.
Posting on this site is just fine, or Facebook! Thanx for the advise, going to amazon right now!
George,
Will you please share your recipe version of Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian Dressing?
So many of us would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian dressing is the best dressing I’ve found.
Unfortunately it is no longer in local stores, and I suspect that they were bought out and closed.
Here’s the ingredient list from China Mart’s website: (Excuse me, Walmart’s website)
Water, Soybean and/Or Canola Oil, Vinegar, Romano Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Salt, Sugar, Contains 2% Less of Garlic Powder, Barley Malt Extract*, Parmesan Cheese (Pasteurized Milk, Cheese Cultures, Salt, Enzymes), Spices, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Soy and Corn Protein, Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate (Preservatives), Anchovy Extract, Flavorings, Xanthan Gum, Paprika, Lactic Acid, Caramel Color, Onion Powder. *Dehydrated Contains Milk, Fish, Wheat, Soy.
I have made a version of bernsteins restaurant recipe dressing. I think it is pretty close. but it has an ingredient you have to find that is not in your local supermarket.
Malted Barley Extract. I found it on amazon. It makes all the difference.
What I dont know is where to post it for the world to see properly.
Regards,
George
Please send me the recipe of what you came up with in regards to “Bernstein’s Italian Dressing”!! It is not available in my area and it makes the best chicken on the grill when marinaded with it.
Yes please, George, send me your Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian recipe, too! Was put on a super restrictive diet over a year ago – have to even make ketchup from scratch! But my BRRI-style dressing recipe just doesn’t cut it & I’d love to have salad again with a dressing that tastes like my old favorite!
Yes! Please post that recipe! My kids call Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian the “Magic Sauce” because it makes them love vegetables. So hard to find in stores now. If you have a good recipe for it, please share!
Yes, please send recioe for Bernstein’s Restaurant recipe deessing!
Thank you
I’m looking for MCL vinaigrette dressing.
It is so good my family always said they could just drink it.
I am sorry who is MCL? I don’t know.
i am looking for Mcl restaurant vinegar and oil dressing
This doesn’t seem to mimic Bensteins restaurant dressing. This could be any italian dressing.
I am looking for a comparable salad dressing to Berstein Italian dressing. Thanks, Debbie
I am not familiar with their dressing. Are they a brand or a restaurant?
I think it’s a restaurant’ I bought another brand to use in the receipe. Thanks
Yummy!!! Easy and very good.
I don’t know any Italian that uses Apple Cider Vinegar!
How would an Italian make Italian dressing?
In Italy they simply dress their salads with oil and vinegar. So much healthier than how we do it in the states!
A lot of people dress their salads with vinegar and oil.
Have to agree with that. Cider vinegar in the US maybe, as it seems to be the norm for any US website recipe calling for vinegar, but you’d be hard pressed to find Italians using cider vinegar anywhere else.
I’m 100% Italian. We used cider vinegar regularly and wine vinegar as well. In recent years, various forms of dressing have gotten popular such as the Balsamic’s, Wine Vinegar and so on. I now use a variety of vinegars. We still do use Cider Vinegar especially for the vinaigrette dressing for vegetable salads, such as green beens, Broccoli, beets and many others!
Did you find this ? I”m looking for it also.
What would you be looking for?
Kelli, use red wine vinager instead of the cider. That gives it quite a bit of a flavor change. Also substitute 1/4 cup of the veg oil with extra virgin olive oil.
Hello,
I’m looking for a Red Italian Salad Dressing comparable to
Wood Ranch. Does anybody know what it is that gives it that zing?
Thanks
I am looking for MCL’s vinegar and oil recipe. Can you please send my way if you have it?
Thanks,
Kim