Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing

This easy-to-make Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing is packed with classic Italian flavors with an extra punch of garlic. Made with a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up a tasty batch in just minutes.

Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing in glass jar with spoon in it and salad in background

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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Creamy Italian Dressing

  • Classic Italian flavors with a punch of garlic
  • Creamy texture
  • Quick and easy to make
  • Uses all healthy ingredients without preservatives
  • Serve over your favorite salad or use as a dip for veggies
closeup of Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing over chicken salad

This creamy Italian salad dressing is one you just won’t be able to get enough of. It’s bursting with incredibly delicious, classic Italian dressing flavors, with an extra bit of garlicky goodness. This recipe has a smooth and creamy texture that will take any salad to a whole new level.  

I never pass up the opportunity to make homemade salad dressing. There’s no comparison between that bottle of store-bought stuff and the one that you make from scratch in your own kitchen. Using all healthy ingredients without preservatives, it’s simply amazing!

Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing in spoon held up over glass jar

This creamy Italian dressing is delicious as a dip with some raw veggies too! For other healthy, creamy/dip recipes, you should also check out this homemade Ranch Dressing or this easy Caesar Dressing.

🛒 Ingredients Creamy Garlic Dressing

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

🔪 How to Make Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing

Add all the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor.

overhead view of Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing ingredients in food processor unmixed

Blend until well combined, then scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue mixing until well combined.

Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing in food processor bowl

Store leftovers in the fridge up to 5-7 days.

Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing dripping off spoon over food processor bowl

*Note: To use as a dip, add a little less heavy cream.

💡 Tips for Making Creamy Garlic Dressing

Making homemade salad dressing is about as straight-forward as it gets. You just measure, blend, and serve. The main tip for really good tasting dressing is to always use high-quality ingredients.

For instance, though this recipe only calls for a tablespoon of olive oil, it can totally change the way your dressing turns out.

Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing in glass jar with salad in background

☑️ Storage Instructions

 Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5-7 days in an airtight jar. It’s not recommended that you freeze it.

Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing in spoon held over salad

🍴 Delicious Ways to Use This Homemade Italian Dressing

Other than salads, this Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing can be a versatile addition to a variety of dishes. Here are some creative ways to use it:

  • Vegetable dip: Serve the dressing as a flavorful dip for raw vegetables like carrot sticks, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, or bell pepper strips.
  • Sandwich spread: Use the dressing as a zesty spread for sandwiches, with this low carb Homemade Bread.
  • Grilled chicken marinade: Coat chicken breasts or thighs with the dressing before grilling.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

  • Olive oil: Substitute extra virgin olive oil with high-quality avocado oil for a milder taste.
  • Sour cream: Greek yogurt is a tangy alternative you can use instead of sour cream.
  • Dijon mustard: Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for an extra layer of tanginess.
  • Lemon juice: Squeeze in fresh lemon juice for a citrusy pop of flavor.
  • Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese can add extra texture and a nutty flavor to the dressing.
  • Other herbs: Finely chopped fresh chives or fresh basil adds extra flavor and color.  
closeup of salad with Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing over top

Is this Creamy Garlic Herb Dressing a Healthy Option?

Unlike some store-bought dressings that may contain preservatives and additives, this homemade version uses all healthy, wholesome, and sugar-free ingredients. It’s low-carb and keto-friendly too.

Can I Use Dried Herbs Instead?

Yes, you can use dried herbs as a substitute for fresh. However, remember that dried herbs are stronger, so adjust the quantities accordingly.

How Can I Make This Recipe Vegan?

You can replace sour cream with dairy-free alternatives like coconut or almond-based yogurt, and use a vegan mayonnaise.

Can I Make This Dressing In Advance?

You can make this dressing a couple of days in advance. The flavors just get better and better. If it appears that the ingredients are separating, just give it a good mix, and it will be ready to serve.

Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing in spoon held up over glass jar

🍽️ More Keto Salad Dressings

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Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing in glass jar with spoon in it and salad in background

Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing

This easy-to-make creamy Garlic Italian Dressing is packed with classic Italian flavors with an extra punch of garlic.
5 from 4 votes
Author: Julianne
Servings 8
PREP 5 minutes
TOTAL 5 minutes

RECIPE VIDEO

Ingredients
 

Instructions
 

  • Add all the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and blend away.
  • Scrape down the sides of the bowl and continue mixing until well combined.  Store leftovers in the fridge up to 5-7 days in an airtight jar.

Recipe Notes

To use as a dip, add a little less heavy cream.

*Make sure to scroll up and read the post for substitutions, additions and helpful tips for making this recipe.

Course Condiment
Cuisine Italian
Calories 163kcal
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Garlic Italian Dressing
Amount per Serving
Calories
163
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
18
g
28
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.

© Copyright for Keto Cooking Christian LLC. Please use the share buttons to share on social media, but please do not copy/paste the recipe.

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*Originally published on July 7, 2018, updated on April 4, 2024 with new photos, new recipe information and helpful tips.

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5 from 4 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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7 Comments

    1. I’d sub the heavy cream with half sour cream and half mayo with maybe a splash of water. I hope that helps!

  1. 5 stars
    Hi, this looks and sounds fantastic. I am going to make this tomorrow for my very, very picky husband. How do you think this would come out with fresh lemon juice instead of the vinegar? I don’t have wine vinegar in the house, but I have plenty of lemons. Let me know what you think. Thanks.

    1. 5 stars
      Hi Laura! Do you have any vinegar at all, even red wine or apple cider vinegar? If not, you can try just using just lemons, but I’d cut it back to maybe 1-2 tablespoons. I would try 1 tablespoon first, taste it and see if it needs more. I sometimes make a very simple vinegrette using olive oil and fresh lemon juice, so I’m betting it will still taste great using just lemons! If you can, please let me know how it turns out 🙂

      1. Thanks for the quick response. We used up all the vinegar in the house the other day. I always have fresh lemons as I make a lemon salad most nights for dinner, (olive oil and fresh lemon) Thanks for the ratios on the lemon, I will probably make this tomorrow night or the next night. I will let you know how it turns out. Can’t wait to have it, with your cobb salad. (Hubby does not like ranch, LOL)

      2. My husband loved it even though I read the recipe wrong and put way to much garlic in it, LOL… I used the juice of a whole lemon. It was absolutely delicious!! Thank you!! Making it again tomorrow. Making a Mediterranean type salad. Couple of hard boiled eggs, roman lettuce, Cucumbers, Roasted Red Peppers, un-marinated artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, black olives, some feta cheese and this fab dressing served with two forks!!

      3. Hi Laura,
        Truth be told, I add a little extra garlic in mine too, in fact I just made another batch on Monday! Your salad sounds divine, I absolutely love kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, feta cheese and roasted red peppers! I hope you enjoy the next batch, thanks for letting me know you liked the dressing. Of all the dressings I make, this one is definitely my favorite 🙂