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    Home » Recipes » Salad Dressing

    Vegan Italian Dressing (Oil-Free)

    Feb 14, 2023 by Kaitlin

    A tangy Vegan Italian Salad Dressing recipe that's ready in just 5 minutes! Made with bold flavors and a creamy hummus base (optional). Drizzle it over your favorite leafy green salads, pasta salads, or grain salads! (Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free.)

    Oil-free vegan Italian salad dressing in a glass jar with serving spoon

    This bold & zesty Italian salad dressing is quick and simple.

    It's oil-free, vegan, gluten-free, and also naturally sweetened. Plus full of bright, tangy flavor with a hint of fresh herbs.

    Homemade salad dressings are wonderful because you can customize them exactly how you want. They're so much more fresh than store-bought alternatives.

    Vinegar, mustard, herbs, hummus, garlic, and nutritional yeast ingredients laid out on a tray

    Ingredients for Vegan Italian Dressing

    For this recipe you will blend together in a small high-speed blender or food processor:

    • Red wine vinegar
    • Hummus: I use my easy homemade Oil-Free Hummus for this recipe, but you can use plain store-bought hummus instead. This creates the luscious base for a creamy Italian dressing.
    • Nutritional yeast: This adds a slightly cheesy, savory flavor to the dressing. Classic Italian dressing often includes parmesan cheese, so I use this instead for a dairy-free cheesy taste.
    • Pure maple syrup: Or you can substitute agave nectar or vegan honey for sweetness. Simply add more if you prefer yours sweeter.
    • White miso: This fermented soybean paste has mild umami flavor. It's delicious in dressings to give it a deeper, more complex flavor. I highly recommend including it, but if you don't have any then simply salt to taste. (And add black pepper if desired.)
    • Dijon mustard
    • Dried Italian seasoning
    • Dried garlic powder: Or you can substitute one clove fresh garlic for a stronger flavor if desired.
    • Fresh parsley: We'll pulse in just a little of this fresh herb right at the end. Either flat leaf parsley or curly parsley works great. I enjoy the added freshness, but if you don't have it on hand, simply omit.
    Overhead view of Italian dressing in a blender before blending

    Customizing

    Vinegar: White wine vinegar is generally the more classic choice for Italian dressing, so you can substitute that if desired. Red wine vinegar has a stronger flavor, but I enjoy it.

    Italian seasoning: If you don't have this in your spice cabinet, simply replace with a combination of dried herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, or marjoram. A small amount of onion powder can be added as well.

    Flavors: Fresh lemon juice can also be added in place of some of the vinegar. Or add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.

    Adding oil: If you prefer to include oil in your diet, then you can add 1-2 tablespoons high quality extra-virgin olive oil to turn it into an Italian vinaigrette.

    Don't have a small blender? Add all ingredients to a jar, seal it well, then shake vigorously to combine. Or you can also whisk it together in a bowl. But if you have a blender, I recommend using it so the ingredients & herbs are fully broken down and incorporated.

    Overhead view of vegan Italian salad dressing in a glass jar with serving spoon

    Serving

    Leafy green salad: Drizzle this homemade Italian dressing over your favorite greens like a spring mix, kale, arugula, or romaine lettuce.

    Wraps: Add it to sandwiches + wraps for a flavor boost! I love it on this Roasted Veggie Wrap.

    Pasta salad: Toss it with an Italian-style pasta salad (like this Arugula Pasta Salad or Vegan Italian Pasta Salad). Or create your own with ingredients like onion, green bell pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh arugula, olives, artichoke hearts, etc.

    Grain salad: Try it as a dressing for various grain and bean salads like quinoa, lentil, rice, etc.

    Storing

    Store leftover dressing in a sealed glass mason jar with lid (or other airtight container) in the refrigerator. I find it keeps for about 5-6 days.

    Vegan Italian Dressing in a small glass jar with fresh parsley on the side

    For more inspiration, also browse all oil-free salad dressing recipes.

    Vegan Italian dressing in a glass jar with serving spoon

    Vegan Italian Dressing (Oil-Free)

    A bold, tangy Italian-inspired dressing that's quick & easy! Hummus adds a beautiful, creamy texture but you can leave it out if preferred.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Comment
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Author: Kaitlin - The Garden Grazer
    Course: Dressing
    Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Italian-Inspired, Oil-Free, Vegan
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients

    • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
    • 1/4 cup hummus*
    • 1 1/2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast
    • 2 tsp. pure maple syrup
    • 2 tsp. white miso
    • 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
    • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning (or more to taste)
    • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder (or 1 clove fresh garlic)
    • 1-2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

    Instructions

    • Add all ingredients (except fresh parsley) to a small high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust flavors if desired.
    • Add parsley and pulse once or twice. (Blending too much will turn the dressing green.)

    Notes

    *Non-creamy version: Omit hummus. Instead blend in 2 Tbsp. water and 1-2 tsp. chia seeds. It will slightly thicken as it sits. (Though I much prefer the creamy hummus version!)
    Yield: Recipe makes about 1/2 cup dressing (just over).

    Nutrition Per Serving (Estimate)

    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Italian Dressing (Oil-Free)
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    58
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    2
    g
    3
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.3
    g
    2
    %
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Potassium
     
    128
    mg
    4
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    7
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    2
    g
    2
    %
    Protein
     
    3
    g
    6
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    101
    IU
    2
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    1
    mg
    1
    %
    Calcium
     
    23
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    1
    mg
    6
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you make this recipe?Leave a star rating or comment below!

    If you're enjoying this oil-free Vegan Italian Salad Dressing recipe, also check out:

    • Roasted Red Pepper Dressing
    • Vegan French Dressing

    Follow The Garden Grazer on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook for more updates and inspiration.

    More Oil-Free Salad Dressing Recipes

    • Maple Dijon Dressing (Vegan Honey Mustard)
    • Vegan French Dressing (Oil-Free)
    • Vegan Ranch Dressing (Oil-Free)
    • Blueberry Salad Dressing (Oil-Free)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating:




    1. Judy

      March 20, 2023 at 10:02 am

      5 stars
      Tried this and it was spectacular! Love the hummus addition. Will be making again!

      Reply
      • Kaitlin

        March 20, 2023 at 10:15 am

        So great to hear! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kaitlin!
    I share vegan recipes that are easy & healthy. (Mostly whole food plant-based, oil-free, & gluten-free.) About Me →

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