Homemade Italian Dressing Mix

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If you’re still buying packets of Italian dressing mix, this is an easy pantry staple to make yourself.

This homemade Italian dressing mix uses dried herbs and seasonings you probably already have in your kitchen. Mix everything together, store it in a jar, and you’ve got a ready-to-use blend whenever you need Italian dressing.

When you’re ready to make dressing, just scoop out a couple of tablespoons, add oil, vinegar, and water, and shake.

I like keeping homemade seasoning mixes on hand because I can make a larger batch once instead of measuring out individual spices every time I cook. This Italian dressing mix fits right in with the other pantry staples I make from scratch.

And it isn’t limited to salad dressing. You can use the dry mix to season vegetables, chicken, and other dishes that need a little extra flavor.

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Why Make Your Own Italian Dressing Mix?

The biggest advantage is convenience.

Instead of keeping individual dressing packets in the pantry, you can make a full jar of seasoning mix using ingredients you already have.

• Make it once, use it multiple times. A larger batch means less measuring later.
• Use everyday pantry ingredients. No specialty seasonings required.
• Control the ingredients. You decide exactly what goes into the mix.
• Make fresh dressing when you need it. No need to keep an opened bottle of dressing in the refrigerator.
• Use it beyond salads. The herb blend also works as a seasoning for other dishes.

This is the same approach I use with my homemade taco seasoning, fajita seasoning, and other pantry mixes.

Ingredients for Homemade Italian Dressing Mix

This is my bulk recipe, designed to fill a jar so there’s plenty of seasoning ready for future batches of dressing.

Dry Italian Dressing Mix

• ¼ cup dried oregano
• ¼ cup dried basil
• ¼ cup dried parsley
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes

What Each Ingredient Does

• Oregano, basil, and parsley: These three dried herbs form the base of the Italian dressing flavor.
• Garlic and onion powder: Add savory flavor throughout the mix without needing fresh garlic or onions.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity when the dry seasoning is combined with vinegar.
• Kosher salt: Seasons the finished dressing.
• Black pepper: Adds a little bite and rounds out the herbs.
• Red pepper flakes: Provide a touch of heat without making the dressing overly spicy.

How to Make Homemade Italian Dressing Mix

Making the dry mix takes just a few minutes.

1. Measure the dried oregano, basil, and parsley into a clean, completely dry jar or mixing bowl.
2. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
3. Stir thoroughly or secure the lid and shake until everything is evenly distributed.
4. Store the mixture in an airtight jar in a cool, dry pantry.

That’s it. Your Italian dressing seasoning is ready whenever you need it.

Pantry tip: Shake or stir the jar before measuring out a serving. The finer powders can settle below the larger dried herbs during storage.

How to Make Italian Dressing From the Dry Mix

Once you’ve made the seasoning blend, turning it into Italian salad dressing is easy.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons homemade Italian dressing mix
• ½ cup avocado oil
• ¼ cup white wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

1. Add the Italian dressing mix to a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Pour in the avocado oil, white wine vinegar, and water.
3. Secure the lid and shake vigorously to combine.
4. Let the dressing rest for 10–15 minutes so the dried herbs have time to hydrate.
5. Shake again before serving.

The oil and vinegar will naturally separate as the dressing sits. That’s normal. Just give the jar another good shake before using it.

Tips for the Best Homemade Italian Dressing

Let the Dried Herbs Hydrate

Don’t skip the resting time.

The dry herbs need a little time to absorb moisture from the dressing. Letting the mixture sit for 10–15 minutes before serving gives them a chance to soften.

Shake Before Every Use

This is an oil-and-vinegar dressing, not a creamy or permanently emulsified dressing.

It will separate as it sits, so shake it well immediately before pouring.

Use a Jar With a Tight-Fitting Lid

A small mason jar works well because you can measure, mix, shake, and store the dressing in the same container.

It also means fewer dishes to wash.

Keep Moisture Out of the Dry Mix

Always use a clean, dry measuring spoon when scooping seasoning from the pantry jar.

Moisture can cause the dry ingredients to clump and shorten their storage life.

Ways to Use Homemade Italian Dressing Mix

The most obvious use is homemade Italian salad dressing, but there are several other ways to use the mix.

• Fresh salads: Shake up a batch of dressing and drizzle it over lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and other fresh vegetables.
• Cucumber dipping: This dressing works as a simple dip for fresh cucumber slices, too.
• Pasta salad: Toss cooked, cooled pasta with vegetables and homemade Italian dressing.
• Chicken marinade: Use the prepared dressing to marinate chicken before cooking. Always discard marinade that has contacted raw chicken unless it’s boiled thoroughly before reuse.
• Roasted vegetables: Sprinkle a little of the dry seasoning mix over vegetables with oil before roasting. Start with a small amount because the mix contains salt.
• Potatoes: Toss potatoes with oil and a little dry Italian dressing mix before roasting.

How to Store Homemade Italian Dressing Mix

Store the dry mix in a tightly sealed glass jar or another airtight container.

Keep it in a cool, dry location away from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture.

For the best flavor, use the mix while your dried herbs are still fresh and aromatic. The dry blend’s quality depends on the age and storage conditions of the individual ingredients.

Storing Prepared Italian Dressing

Once you’ve combined the seasoning with oil, vinegar, and water, store any leftover dressing covered in the refrigerator.

Because this homemade version doesn’t contain commercial stabilizers, the oil and vinegar will separate between uses.

Shake thoroughly before serving. If the avocado oil becomes cloudy or thick in the refrigerator, allow the dressing to warm slightly before shaking.

For a conservative homemade-storage guideline, use the prepared dressing within 3–4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Italian dressing mix in bulk?

Absolutely. That’s how I make this recipe.

Instead of measuring individual spices every time you need dressing, prepare the larger dry batch and store it in a jar. Then use 2 tablespoons whenever you want to make a batch of Italian dressing.

Can I use olive oil instead of avocado oil?

Yes. Olive oil can be used, although it will bring its own flavor to the finished dressing. Avocado oil has a more neutral taste.

Can I use regular white vinegar?

White wine vinegar gives the dressing a different flavor than distilled white vinegar. You can substitute distilled white vinegar, but the result will taste sharper. Start with a little less and adjust to taste.

Is Italian dressing mix the same as Italian seasoning?

Not exactly.

Italian seasoning generally contains a blend of dried herbs. Italian dressing mix also includes ingredients such as garlic powder, onion powder, sugar, salt, and pepper.

This makes the dressing mix more convenient when you’re preparing a vinaigrette.

Can I use the dry mix directly on food?

Yes, but remember that this blend contains salt and sugar.

Start with a small amount when seasoning vegetables, potatoes, or meat, and adjust as needed.

A Few Things I Use

• Glass spice jars – airtight storage for homemade seasoning blends.
• Measuring cups – for measuring the dried herbs.
• Measuring spoons – for measuring the powders, salt, and spices.
• Redmond Real Salt Kosher – kosher salt for seasoning blends like this one.

More Homemade Pantry Staples

If you enjoy making your own seasoning mixes, try these recipes next:

• Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix
• Homemade Taco Seasoning
• Homemade Fajita Seasoning
• Homemade Onion Soup Mix
• Homemade Poultry Seasoning
• Homemade Italian Seasoning
• Homemade Burger Seasoning
• Homemade Chili Seasoning
• Homemade Everything Bagel Seasoning
• Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning
• Homemade Seasoned Salt
• Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Homemade Cream of Soup Mix
• Homemade Chicken Bouillon Powder
• How to Build a Bulk Pantry on a Budget Without Wasting Food
• Copycat Taco Bell Mild Sauce Recipe
• 5 Homemade Seasoning Mixes to Make Instead of Buying
• 5 Grocery Store Staples You Can Stop Buying

Making a few basic mixes yourself is one of the easiest ways to get more use out of the ingredients already sitting in your pantry.

Your Pantry Can Do More.