There's something special about a great salad dressing. It can truly elevate a meal from simple to extraordinary. For those following a Paleo, low-carb, or ketogenic diet, the right sauces and dips are essential for keeping things interesting and delicious. This recipe for Keto Creamy Italian Dressing is not only low-carb and keto-friendly but also caters to Paleo, dairy-free, and vegetarian preferences.
One delightful side effect of crafting your own homemade salad dressing, such as this creamy Italian version, is that you'll likely find yourself eating more vegetables.
Why Make Your Own Keto Italian Dressing?
Store-bought dressings often contain hidden sugars, preservatives, and unhealthy additives. Making your own allows you to control the ingredients and ensure a fresh, flavorful, and healthy product. Even healthier keto bottled versions often don't compare to the fresh taste of homemade. This recipe is incredibly easy to throw together with common pantry ingredients, offering a taste that rivals, and often surpasses, store-bought alternatives.
Two Main Types of Keto Italian Dressing
There are two main types of keto Italian dressing.
Keto Italian Vinaigrette Dressing
The first type is Keto Italian Vinaigrette Dressing. This recipe uses dried herbs and will keep up to 2 weeks. If you use fresh herbs it will keep for 3 to 4 days. Yes, this keto Italian vinaigrette dressing can easily be made ahead.
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Keto Creamy Italian Dressing
The second type is Keto Creamy Italian Dressing. 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.
Ingredients for Keto Creamy Italian Dressing
Here's what you'll need to whip up this delectable dressing:
- 1/2 cup Real Mayonnaise
- 5 1/3 tablespoons White Wine Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Xylitol (optional, but strongly suggested)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated). Omit the cheese if you are dairy-free or vegan.
- 2 tablespoons Parsley
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning. Alternatively, use a combination of basil, oregano, and parsley.
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic (minced or pressed)
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
A note on Xylitol: Xylitol crystals can be found in natural food stores and the baking section of most well-stocked supermarkets.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Making this dressing is a breeze:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, and xylitol (if using).
- Stir in Parmesan, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper flakes until thoroughly combined.
- Let the mixture stand for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Tips and Modifications
- Herb Variations: Feel free to experiment with different herbs to customize the flavor.
- Vinegar Options: Using different vinegars will result in a different taste profile. Adjust the amount of vinegar and lemon juice to achieve your desired tanginess.
- Sweetness Adjustment: Adjust the amount of sweetener to your preference.
- Make Ahead: For the best flavor, refrigerate the dressing for 1 to 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
- Storage: Save time by mixing and storing the dressing in a jar with a lid. The recipe serves 18 (2 Tbsp servings each), but you can easily halve it if needed.
- Fresh vs. Dried Herbs: If using fresh herbs instead of dried Italian seasoning, remember that fresh herbs have a shorter shelf life (3-4 days).
- Dairy-Free/Vegan Modification: If you're dairy-free or vegan, simply omit the Parmesan cheese.
Serving Suggestions
This Keto Italian Dressing is incredibly versatile:
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- Salads: Drizzle over a fresh green salad.
- Marinade: Use as a marinade for chicken, turkey, pork, or even seafood. Whether you bake, grill, broil, pressure cook, or air fry, this marinade will work wonders.
- Dip: Serve as a dipping sauce for vegetables or keto-friendly snacks.
- Italian Salad: Drizzle this dressing over a fresh Italian salad for a flavorful, classic touch. It enhances the taste of mixed greens, tomatoes, and olives and is a perfect salad for lunch.
- Chicken Tenders: Use the dressing as a dip for crispy chicken tenders. Its creamy texture and tangy flavor complement the chicken perfectly.
- Chicken Wings: Serve this dressing as a dipping sauce alongside spicy or grilled chicken wings. It provides a cool, creamy contrast to the heat.
- Grilled Lamb Chops: Top grilled lamb chops with this dressing for a flavorful boost.
Variations and Substitutions
- Heavy cream: You can use half and half for a slightly thinner dressing, though this might affect the overall carb count. For a thicker dressing, substitute with sour cream in the same amount.
- Olive oil: Avocado oil or coconut oil are great alternatives.
- Red wine vinegar: White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used in the same measurements.
- Lemon juice: If you don’t have lemon juice, simply add an extra teaspoon of your vinegar choice.
- Dried herbs: Substitute with 2.5 teaspoons of store-bought Italian seasoning mix for the dried basil, oregano, thyme, and parsley.
- Thyme: You can find more substitution ideas for thyme here.
- Granulated garlic: Garlic powder works well, or you can use roasted garlic mashed into a paste. Whisk the smashed garlic into the dressing with the other ingredients.
- Fresh herbs: Swap all the dried herbs for fresh ones. Typically, you’d use three times the amount of fresh herbs, but doubling them works great in this recipe.
- Spice: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of zip. It’ll add just the right amount of heat.
- Balsamic vinegar: A quarter teaspoon of balsamic vinegar brightens the dressing and adds a touch of sweetness.
- Sour cream: To turn this creamy dressing into a dip, replace the oil and heavy cream with sour cream.
Answers to Common Questions
- Is Italian dressing gluten-free? This recipe is gluten-free, but some store-bought versions may contain gluten. Always check the label.
- Is Italian dressing keto-friendly? This recipe is keto-friendly, with only 0.4g net carbs per serving.
- How many carbs are in Italian dressing? The carb content varies, but this recipe contains only 0.7g total carbs, 0.3g dietary fiber, and 0.4g net carbs.
- What salad dressings can I eat on keto? Opt for low-carb, high-fat dressings like olive oil and vinegar, balsamic vinaigrette, ranch, Italian, sugar-free Catalina, and blue cheese. Always check labels for hidden sugars.
- Can you have dressing on a low-carb diet? Yes! Choose dressings carefully and check labels for carbs and sugar.
Quick Tips
- Use a store-bought Italian seasoning herb blend: This eliminates the need to measure out multiple dried herbs. Check the Ingredient Substitutions section for the amount needed.
- Make the dressing ahead of time: While the recipe suggests 15 minutes for the flavors to meld, this dressing actually improves with more time. Preparing it in advance means you won’t have to wait for the flavors to develop, and you’ll end up with an even tastier dressing.
- Opt for store-bought mayonnaise: Instead of making your own (which takes about 3 minutes), use store-bought mayonnaise to save time.
Storage Instructions
- Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks if using dried herbs, or 3-4 days if using fresh herbs.
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