a simple real food recipe :: DIY italian dressing mix :: italian dressing recipe

One of the first things I tried working on fixing in my real food journey was salad dressings.It doesn’t matter what bottle you look at in the store – organic or not there was always *something* that shouldn’t be there. From soybean/vegetable oil and canola oil, to MSG and other additives, I just knew there had to be a better way.

I started playing around with recipes I found online to our family’s taste, and this is what I have been using for years 🙂 It really is one of the easiest “real food” transitions you can make – takes just minutes to put together and keeps in the fridge just like store bought dressing.

If you are more of a Ranch person try THIS – it is delicious!

ITALIAN DRESSING SEASON MIX:
2 TB sea salt
1 TB oregano
1 TB parsley
1 TB pure cane sugar
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp black pepper
¼ tsp thyme

1. Add everything together in an air tight container, put the lid on and shake it up to combine.

ITALIAN DRESSING:
2 TB Italian dressing season mix from above
¼ cup white wine vinegar
½ cup olive oil
3 TB filtered water

1. Add everything together in an air tight container and shake very well. You will have to shake before use each time – just like store bought dressing.
2. Store leftovers in the fridge.

Kitchen Tips:

1. The Italian dressing recipe makes about ½ pint which is a good amount for our family – if you feel like you would go through more just double up! The dressing mix will make about 5ish batches of the dressing recipe.
2. The olive oil in the dressing will solidify a bit in the fridge – just leave it out for a few minutes before using it and it will shake right up just fine.
3. Use the dressing mix for other dishes that call for Italian dressing packets! So yummy to marinade chicken or flavor soup or casseroles!
4. Don’t forget the kiddos! While my 1 year old is still working on chewing salad greens well, I still drizzle the dressing on tomatoes or cucumbers and she devours it 😉 My 3 year old will eat a huge salad with her lunch no problem and loves this dressing!
5. Read THIS about how to pick out good olive oil. It is important to be sure your olive oil isn’t being “cut” with other cheaper oils.  I have tested, called about, and purchase the Kirkland organic olive oil that Costco carries. Our local grocer does have a good organic olive oil too.
6. Read THIS and THIS on why soy products like soybean oil and other PUFA’s are harmful to health.
7. Looking for a great Ranch dressing? Try THIS one!

YOUR TURN!

Do you make your own salad dressings? Share your favs! I’m currently working on perfecting my Thousand Island dressing and will share it with you this summer!

This post was shared at Real Food Forager’s Fat Tuesday, and The Polikva Family’s Family Table Tuesday!