Zesty Italian Dressing and Marinade Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between Italian dressing and zesty Italian dressing? ›

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.

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.

VINEGAR, WATER, BLEND OF VEGETABLE OILS (SOYBEAN OIL, CANOLA OIL), SUGAR, SALT, GARLIC*, CONTAINS LESS THAN 2% OF RED BELL PEPPERS*, ONIONS*, XANTHAN GUM, SPICE, OLEORESIN PAPRIKA (COLOR), POTASSIUM SORBATE AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT FLAVOR).

As a result, water and oil do not bond. Sure, you can shake the bottle of salad dressing and see that the two have “mixed” momentarily but the oil will not dissolve in the water. Rather, the two ingredients will separate after some time.

Italian dressing is one of the best steak marinades you can use, and it's a flavorful shortcut to perfectly juicy and flavorful steaks. The combination of oil and vinegar with herbs and spices makes it a delicious and powerful tenderizer. The dressing is especially handy when you're dealing with tough cuts of beef.

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

Italian dressing is often considered a healthy option when compared with creamy dressings because it's lower in calories and fat. But because it can be high in sodium and the calories quickly add up if you use more than the serving size, it's still important to watch the amount you eat.

If stored properly in the refrigerator, an opened bottle of Kraft salad dressing should be used within one to two months if dairy-based, or up to three to four months for non-dairy options. It is imperative to heed the expiration date and any abnormal sensory indicators that suggest spoilage.

If I were to take an unscientific stab at it, I would say that the water opens up the dressing a little, cutting some of the intensity between the contrast of the unctuous oil and the sharp vinegar. It helps to balance everything out.

Why does my Italian dressing taste bitter? ›

Avoid using a blender for olive oil based dressings as the rapid mixing will cause the oil to oxidize and turn bitter. A squeeze bottle or a mason jar with the lid secured works well when giving a good shake to mix and emulsify the dressing properly.

To keep your salad crisp and vibrant, add the vinegar to the greens before you add the oil. Although it may seem like an odd or silly rule, adding oil to your salad first could cause unexpected repercussions.

Italian dressing is often considered a healthy option when compared with creamy dressings because it's lower in calories and fat. But because it can be high in sodium and the calories quickly add up if you use more than the serving size, it's still important to watch the amount you eat.

Instead, salads are typically dressed very simply with what many call "olio e aceto," which translates to oil and vinegar. The oil is almost invariably extra virgin olive oil, prized for its health benefits and flavor. The vinegar is usually red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or sometimes simply lemon juice.

In American cuisine, Italian dressing is a vinaigrette-type salad dressing in that consists of water, vinegar or lemon juice, vegetable oil, chopped bell peppers, sugar or corn syrup, herbs and spices (including oregano, fennel, dill and salt) and sometimes onion and garlic.

Our Famous House Salad served with our signature Italian dressing (served on the side).