Best Zesty Italian Dressing Mix (Bulk Recipe) (2024)

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Learn how to make the BEST Dry Zesty Italian Dressing Mix, with this simple bulk mix recipe. Plus, it has directions to make the dressing as well. A full batch of this recipe will fill a pint jar (which means it makes about two cups of dry dressing mix). Whether you want to use it as dressing, or add a little bit of this mix to your favorite dish, it is sure to spice them up just right.

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Lately I’ve been seeing recipes all over the place (cough…Pinterest;) that call for either Zesty Italian Dressing Mix or some of the prepared dressing.

It’s been driving me crazy that I can’t try these recipes due to all the junk in pre-made/ packaged spice mixtures/dressings (I’m on a clean eating kick lately).

However, I found a “from scratch” homemade recipe that has really good reviews so I’ve adapted it to fill a pint jar.

I only made a few minor changes (less sugar, less salt, & one other little change). I hope that you like it.

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So, Now I’m sharing with you my bulk recipe for the Best Homemade Zesty Italian Dressing Mix, plus directions for making the dressing.

Please note that if you’re nervous about making a giant batch of it like me, maybe try making a small batch of the original recipefirst and see what you think before you go crazy and make a large batch.

If I use something a lot, I hate making it from scratch frequently, which is why I’m sharing with you the big batch that I make which can be used as you need it.

Now I’m going to share with you some still pics of the process of making both the dressing and turning the dressing mix into Salad Dressing.

How to make this Zesty Italian Dressing Mix Recipe:

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You guys may not believe it, but this recipe is actually so simple that you literally just put the ingredients in a jar (pint or larger), put a lid on it, and SHAKE… that’s it!

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To make the dressing you literally only mix some vinegar, oil, water, and a bit of the spice mix.

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**Remember, If you like this recipe, you may also like my entire Salads and Dressings section. **

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What’s in Zesty Italian Dressing Mix? Let’s find out!

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Best Zesty Italian Dressing Mix {Bulk Recipe}

Yield: 1 Pint

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 3 minutes

Total Time: 13 minutes

Using dry Zesty Italian Dressing Mix is a great way to spice up your various food dishes or can be used as a dry rub for meat. Or, easily mix it into a tangy dressing. Learn how to make the BEST Zesty Italian Dressing Mix with this simple bulk recipe. Plus it has directions to make the dressing as well.

Ingredients

  • Dry Mix:
  • 2 T Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 C Onion Powder
  • 1/2 C Dried Oregano
  • 1 T+1 tsp Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 T+1 tsp Dried Thyme
  • 1 T+1 tsp Dried Basil
  • 1 T+1 tsp Dried Parsley
  • 1 to 2 T Sugar
  • 1 T Salt (I used Iodized Sea Salt)
  • 1/2 tsp Celery Seed
  • 1/2 C Cajun Seasoning
  • Dressing:
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar (original recipe called for white wine vinegar)
  • 2/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 2 T Water
  • 2 T mixed spice (above spice mix)

Instructions

How To Make Zesty Italian Dressing Mix (dry):

  1. Layer all of the ingredients into apint sized jar(may be a good idea to use a wide mouth jar…I struggled to keep the mess contained w/the regular mouth jar).
  2. Puta lidon and shake your little heart out (it condenses quite a bit when mixed, otherwise it would fill the jar nearly completely).

How To Make Zesty Italian Dressing (wet):

  1. Place ingredients in a blender and mix well.
  2. Store in an airtight container for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Notes

*Make Sure To ShakeWell Before Each Use*

Use as needed. Can be used as a dry rub on meats or sprinkle it on veggies.

Make sure mix stays tightly sealed, if you live somewhere humid it may be a good idea to addan oxygen absorbing packetif you will be storing it for very long.

**from some of the reviews I've read from the original version of the recipe, it seems that you may want to add a bit more vinegar for more tang.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

I love this dry mix when added to my Zesty Italian Chicken recipe…it’s so delicious!

You will easily start finding more and more ways to use it if you end up loving it as much as I do. In fact, I need to mix up another batch this weekend because I use it so much.

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! If you liked what you saw, please make sure to share it via social media or even send the link via email to your family and friends. Either way, I super appreciate it!

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Here are five of my posts that you’ll also love:

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For those of you that would like other options for a “pinnable” image to share on Pinterest, here you go. Thanks so much for sharing!

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*Reposts: Please note that this idea/post was originally posted to this website on 08/25/2012, but it was in great need of a refresh so it now is more user friendly/shareable and has a free printable recipe card.

Best Zesty Italian Dressing Mix (Bulk Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Italian and zesty Italian? ›

FAQs. What's the difference between Italian dressing and zesty Italian dressing? Regular Italian dressing and zesty Italian dressing use the same base recipe, but the zesty version has added flavor for more zing.

What to use in place of an Italian seasoning packet? ›

Another great Italian seasoning substitute? A combination of oregano and basil! These dried herbs have the strongest flavor profile in Italian seasoning. If you have dried thyme, you can throw in a little of that as well.

What is zesty Italian dressing made of? ›

We didn't name it Ken's Zesty Italian because it was shy about flavor. Robust and blanced, this dressing adds onion, garlic, red pepper, and oregano to it's oil and vinegar base to create a deliciously bright, memorable and crowd-pleasing flavor.

Is zesty italian dressing good for you? ›

Made with a base of oil, vinegar, and lemon juice the Italian dressing provides a full-bodied flavor to compliment any dish. It is lower in calories and fats and is considered a healthy option as compared to cream-based dressings.

What do they call Italian dressing in Italy? ›

Despite its name, Italian dressing is not used in Italy, where salad is normally dressed with olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and sometimes balsamic vinegar at the table, and not with a pre-mixed vinaigrette.

What is Trader Joe's version of Italian seasoning? ›

Our Trader Joe's Italian Style Soffritto Seasoning Blend

You can really add it to anything - it's delicious with roasted meats and veggies, with olive oil as a dipping sauce, added to burgers or meatloaf, in tomato sauce, stirred into hummus or other dips, blended into salad dressings... you get the idea.

What spice do Italians use most? ›

Garlic- is arguably one of the most common spices used. This savory flavor is a staple because it compliments cheese so well. Pepper- Fresh ground pepper is all over Italian food. Don't think you will ever find pre-ground pepper at your table, because Italians know the best pepper is the sort that is freshly ground.

Does McCormick make Italian seasoning? ›

McCormick Culinary Italian Seasoning boasts a robust blend of premium herbs to create the timeless flavor of Italian cuisine. Specially made for chefs to inspire extraordinary menus and deliver consistent recipes. Try it on Tuscan chicken breast, turkey meatball stew, or prosciutto stuffed pork loin.

What are the ingredients in Ken's Zesty Italian? ›

Distilled Vinegar, Vegetable Oil (Soybean And/Or Canola), Water, Sugar, Salt, Contains Less Than 2% Of Garlic,* Garlic, Red Bell Pepper,* Onion,* Onion, Spice, Xanthan Gum, Monosodium Glutamate, Natural Flavor, Lemon Juice Concentrate, Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Protect Flavor), Annatto Extract (Color).

Why is Italian dressing so good? ›

Italian dressing is notable for that brilliant punchy balance of yummy oil, tangy vinegar, sweet sugar, and bites of spice. And while those flavors are fine over lettuce and crunchy veggies, the strong flavors work even better as an all-purpose marinade for every kind of protein, from chicken to shrimp.

Which salad dressing is the healthiest? ›

What is the healthiest dressing for a salad?
  • Vinaigrette. This classic combination of vinegar and olive oil gets the highest marks from dietitians. ...
  • Honey mustard. It's sweet and tangy, and also olive oil-based. ...
  • Yogurt-based dressing. ...
  • Pesto-based dressing. ...
  • Avocado-based dressing. ...
  • Tahini dressing. ...
  • Green goddess dressing.
Feb 20, 2024

What is Italian zest? ›

Italian Zest is full of aromatics herbs along with a perfect balance of mild chilies, garlic, and a pinch of sea salt to create an everyday Italian seasoning that can be used for breakfast, lunch dinner, and for traveling foodies.

What does Italian dressing taste like? ›

It can be either creamy or oily, sweet or acidic, and when made well it usually contains a variety of herbs and spices. That's because Italian dressing as most Americans know it is really just a premade mix of the oils, vinegars, cheeses and spices that Italians might use to dress their salad at the table.

What does Kraft zesty Italian dressing taste like? ›

Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

It's translucent with a good balance of oil and vinegar. You'll find plenty of herbs suspended in this salad dressing and even a few red pepper flakes which give this dressing “a tangy kick,” according to Maggie Knoebel in the Test Kitchen.

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