If you keep any “all-purpose” seasoning mix in your pantry, it should be this Italian dressing mix!

It’s got the perfect balance of dried herbs and spices that can be used to season practically everything from salads to pot roasts!

Reach for it any time you need a marinade, salad dressing, or meat rub.

a spoon full of Italian Dressing Mix from a clear mason jar

Easy Italian Dressing Mix

  • Make Italian dressing with a handful of ingredients likely already in the pantry plus room for customizing your own recipe!
  • Homemade seasoning mixes are free of preservatives, dyes, and excess sodium plus they’re gluten-free!
  • You’ll definitely want to double up this recipe. Gift a few jars to special friends and neighbors; it’s that good!

Italian Dressing Mix vs. Italian Seasoning

Basically, Italian seasoning is a component of this Italian dressing mix recipe featuring three basic herbs; parsley, basil, and oregano (and sometimes rosemary and thyme). The remaining ingredients make up the dry Italian dressing mix.

adding spices to bowl to make Italian Dressing Mix

Ingredients and Variations

Herbs and Spices: We use dried herbs and ground spices instead of fresh ones for longer storage. Parsley, oregano, basil, thyme, and a few dashes of onion and garlic powder are the basics, feel free to adjust or substitute herbs as desired (or omit if you’re out!).

The lemon pepper is the secret ingredient that makes this a zesty Italian dressing mix. Lemon pepper is the staple on our homemade baked french fries, since we use lemon pepper on them pretty much every time!

Variations: Experiment with other seasonings like dried mustard, sage, smoked paprika, ground fennel, or some zesty red pepper flakes!

How to Make Italian Dressing Mix

spoon of Italian Dressing Mix

Mix ingredients in a bowl and transfer to a container with a tight-fitting seal, as described in the recipe card below. Or, simply add all the ingredients to the container, cover, and shake!

Pro Tip:

Use a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder for a finer grind.

close up of Italian Dressing Mix in a jar

How to Use Italian Dressing Mix

  • There are dozens if not hundreds of ways Italian dressing mix can be used to jazz up everything from dips to dressings, meats, fish, and beyond! Delish added to this chicken and noodles dish or added to the hamburger in these savory foil packets.
  • Make a fresh Italian dressing for green salads. Or drizzle over roasted asparagus, by mixing seasoning mix with a 1:1 ratio of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
  • Combine Italian dressing mix with sour cream or Greek yogurt to make a quick dip for chips and veggies
  • Whisk a dash or two into scrambled eggs, or add to oil and vinegar to make a super quick and easy meat marinade.
  • Coat a pot roast, or slow cook a whole chicken in Italian dressing mix as a simple way to infuse meat with flavor!
  • Naturally, Italian dressing mix can be added to punch up the flavor of store-bought or homemade pasta sauce as well as a savory sprinkle on a Margherita pizza.

How Many Tablespoons are in a Packet of Italian Dressing Mix?

Use two tablespoons of homemade Italian dressing dry mix in place of one packet of Italian dressing mix. 

Tip:

Before using as a dry rub, mix a little Italian dressing mix with a pinch of corn starch. This helps the mix adhere better to meats and fish.

jar of Italian Dressing Mix with a spoon

Storing Italian Dressing Mix

Store this Italian dressing mix in a container, such as a mason jar with a tight fitting lid, in a cool space like a drawer or dark cupboard for up to 6 months. Write the date it’s made on the top of the container lid, a label, or a piece of tape.

jar of Italian Dressing Mix

Great Mixes and Seasonings To Try!

Have you tried this Italian Dressing Mix recipe? Leave a comment and rating below!

 

a spoon full of Italian Dressing Mix from a clear mason jar
5 from 33 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Italian Dressing Mix

This copycat Italian dressing mix is a staple seasoning mix and I always keep a generous supply on hand for salads, marinades, and recipes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 7 Tablespoons
Author Candace

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, mix together parsley, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon pepper, basil, fresh thyme, paprika, pepper, celery salt, sugar, salt and dried onion flakes.
  • Place in a sealed container to store. I love using mason jars with my favorite mason jar caps, but any storage will work.

Notes

  • Makes approximately 7 Tablespoons of dry Italian dressing mix.
  • Mix may settle, so be sure to stir before measuring.
5 from 33 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 17 | Carbohydrates: 4g | Sodium: 666mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information does not include optional ingredients or garnish and is an estimate. It may change based on actual ingredients and cooking methods used.

Course Salad
Cuisine American, Italian

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About the author

I am a wife, mother of two, and professional accountant. I love fantastic food, and it is so often the center of our lives, from everyday dinner, to family gatherings, and special evenings at fabulous restaurants. I have always loved cooking and baking, with my mom and grandma, and now, with my daughter and son. I love trying new recipes while enjoying my favorites too. I’m so happy to share them with you.
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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe looks good (haven’t actually tried it yet), but when I look at packets from the store Xanthan Gum is typically included as a thickening agent/stabilizer. I have found that using homemade mixes without this ingredient causes different results. Since I’m using this mix for a hot dish and not to make a dressing, I assume I could use corn starch for thickening purposes, but I’m not sure how much to use. Any suggestions?

    1. Hi Lauren, I have not added cornstarch, even when using this in hot dishes. If you’d like to add cornstarch, I’d suggest adding about 1/2 Tablespoon per cup of liquid. Hope that helps!

  2. Hello. I’ve used this recipe a few times when making Italian beef sandwiches and it’s very yummy. I’ve always left out the lemon pepper because I didn’t have it but recently I bought some McCormick lemon&pepper spice at the store to add. Once I got home I noticed it is loaded with extra stuff (coloring, preservatives) and just wondered if there was a certain brand of lemon pepper you like? Thank you so much!

    1. Hi Susan. I’m so happy to hear that you love this Italian dressing mix! I personally usually buy whatever spices are on sale or buy them from Costco. Have you tried Lawry’s brand or Simply Organic? I have tried both and like them. Enjoy!

  3. 5 stars
    I really need to know can you use liguid italian dressing as a substitute to the dry one and if the recipe calls for one package then how much of the liquid italian dressing mix should I use please help me as soon as possible

  4. Hi. You answered no to the question, “IS ITALIAN SEASONING THE SAME AS ITALIAN DRESSING MIX?” But, I didn’t find you answered why? I am still curious what the difference is with the two. Thanks, 🙂

    1. Hi Brenda, thank you for your question! Italian seasoning is a more simple mix of seasonings, mainly oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary and is often used for flavoring pizza sauce or tomato sauce. The Italian dressing mix contains more seasonings and flavors and is used to flavor many different dishes, and is a rounded out seasoning to make a simple salad dressing. Hope that helps!

  5. 5 stars
    I have to say this is such a simple recipe with using only two measurements! I love using this to season chicken breasts, sprinkle on veggies I am cooking on the BBQ, as well I use in some of my crockpot recipes.

    1. I’m so glad to hear that you love this recipe, Shauna! We use it on everything too!