The Flavor That is Italian Marinade
There’s so much we can discuss regarding the best Italian marinade and dressing. It is a flavorful, tangy dressing with vital ingredients like raw garlic, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice. Also, it contains oregano and basil, two of the most common dried herbs in Italian cuisine.
Additionally, it contains olive oil and sugar that imparts a hint of sweetness to your dish. Despite its name, Italian dressing originally comes from the United States.
Our Best Italian Marinade and Dressing
Our best Italian marinade and dressing is Primal Kitchen Italian Vinaigrette & Marinade Salad Dressing made with Avocado Oil, Whole30 Approved, Certified Paleo, and Keto Certified. It is gluten-free and contains low calories.
An Overview of Our Selected Products
| Product Name | Best for Case |
| Primal Kitchen Italian Vinaigrette & Marinade Salad Dressing made with Avocado Oil, Whole30 Approved, Certified Paleo, and Keto Certified | Best Italian salad dressing for pasta |
| Good Seasons Italian Dressing & Recipe Seasoning Mix, 4 Packets | Best low-calorie Italian dressing |
| Hellmann's Italian Salad Dressing Dry Mix Pouch Vegan, Gluten Free, No added MSG, Pack of 12 | Best Italian beef marinade and dressing |
| Wish-Bone Salad Dressing, Light Italian | Best Italian chicken marinade |
| Ken's Zesty Italian Dressing | Best flavor Italian dressing |
| Lawry's Signature Italian with Garlic, Onion & Herbs Marinade (Pack of 6) | Best Italian marinade for shrimp |
| Bernstein's Restaurant Recipe Italian Salad Dressing & Marinade | Best Italian pork tenderloin marinade |
| Ken's Steak House Italian Dressing & Marinade, Gluten Free | Best gluten-free Italian dressing and marinade |
The Best Store-Bought Italian Dressings and Marinades
In the salad world, Italian salad dressing, in particular, occupies an amorphous and mutable position. It can be creamy or oily, sweet or acidic, and contains a variety of herbs and spices when prepared properly.
That’s because most Americans think of Italian dressing as a premade blend of the oils, vinegar, cheeses, and spices that Italians might use to dress their salad at the table. It also explains why premade Italian dressings can taste vastly different, despite sharing a base of oil, vinegar, and sometimes cheese.
Salad lovers, especially those who crave vinaigrettes, should keep a bottle or two of Italian dressing. That’s why we tested eight different types of Italian dressing, all available online on amazon or in other stores. Here are our choices, ranked from best.
Primal Kitchen Italian Vinaigrette & Marinade Salad Dressing made with Avocado Oil, Whole30 Approved, Certified Paleo, and Keto Certified: Best Italian Dressing for Pasta
Brand: Primal Kitchen
Size: 8 fluid ounces bottle (237 milliliters)
Diet type: Paleo
Specialty: Low-calorie
Allergen information: Soy-free, gluten-free
Nutrition content: 110 calories, 230mg (0.23g) sodium, 0oz (0g) protein, 0.04oz (1g) carbs, 0oz (0g) fiber, 0oz (0g) sugar, 0.4oz (12g) fat, 0.05oz (1.5g)
About This Item
Like any homemade Italian marinade, this Vinaigrette and Marinade Salad Dressing requires a good shake before serving. You will realize that it has a nice flavor. This is because it contains just the right amount of oil, plenty of herbs and spices, and enough vinegar to add brightness.
Good Seasons Italian Dressing & Recipe Seasoning Mix, 4 Packets: Best Low-Calorie Italian Dressing
Brand: Good Seasons
Size: 8 fluid-ounce (237 milliliters) packets
Diet type: Kosher
Item form: Dry mix
Specialty: Low-calorie
Allergen information: Dairy-free
Nutrition content: 5 calories, 0.04oz (1g) carbs, 0.04oz (1g) sugar, 0oz (0g) fiber, 0oz (0g) fat, 0oz (0g) saturated fat, 0oz (0g) protein, 320mg (0.32g) sodium
About This Item
Good Seasons Italian Dry Salad Dressing and Recipe Seasoning Mix provides succulent, mouth-watering dressing with an authentic Italian flavor. This balanced soy sauce Italian dressing marinade has spices and herbs that give it a homemade taste.
Each Italian dressing packet is ideal for custom marinades, sauces, and dips. Combine the package, vinegar, water, and oil for the perfect flavor combination. Also, to add more flavor, make it with red wine vinegar. Each serving of this Italian dressing mix has five calories.
Hellmann's Italian Salad Dressing Dry Mix Pouch Vegan, Gluten Free, No added MSG, Pack of 12: Best Italian Beef Marinade and Dressing
Brand: Hellmann’s
Size: 9.2 ounces (260 grams) packets
Diet type: Vegan
Item form: Dry mix
Allergen information: Gluten-free
Nutritional content: 80 calories, 230mg (0.23g) sodium, 0oz (0g) protein, 0.1oz (3g) carbs 0oz (0g) fiber, 0.07oz (2g) sugar, 0.3oz (8g) fat, 0.04oz (1g) saturated fat
About This Item
Hellmann’s Italian Dressing Dry Mix is a quick and inexpensive way to make a tangy, delicious dressing for various dishes. This Italian dressing dry mix is ideal for high-volume food service environments and commissaries because it saves time while delivering all the flavor of homemade recipes.
To make a traditional Italian dressing, stir the dry mix into the water and vinegar with a wire whisk, then blend well with salad oil.
Additionally, you can combine it with buttermilk and Hellmann’s mayonnaise to make a creamy Italian dressing, thus expanding your menu options. It is one of the best Italian steak marinades.
Also, you can use this versatile Italian dressing on sandwiches, salads, as a tasty dip for veggie trays and other appetizers, or as a chicken or beef marinade. Each packet of Hellmann’s Italian Dressing Dry Mix makes 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of dressing.
Wish-Bone Salad Dressing, Light Italian: Best Italian Chicken Marinade
Brand: Wish-Bone
Size: 15 fluid ounces (444 milliliters) bottle
Diet type: Kosher
Item form: Liquid
Allergen information: Dairy-free
Nutritional content: 90 calories, 290mg (0.29g) sodium, 0oz (0g) protein, 0.1oz (3g) carbs, 0oz (0g) fiber, 0.07 (2g) sugar, 0.30z (9g) fat, 0.05oz (1.5g) saturated fat
About This Item
This is one of the best Italian marinades for vegetables. Your go-to recipes will benefit from adding rich flavor when you use Wish-Bone Salad Dressing, Light Italian dressing. This dressing has one-half the calories and one-third the fat of a variety of regular Italian salad dressings.
Also, pasta salad, marinades, leafy greens, and other foods can all benefit from the addition of this light dressing. This dressing comes in a salad bottle with a resealable cap, making it simple to dispense just the right amount.
Ken's Zesty Italian Dressing: Best Flavor Italian Dressing
Brand: Ken’s
Diet type: Kosher
Item form: Liquid
Allergen information: Gluten-free
Nutrition content: 90 calories, 560mg (0.56g) sodium, 0oz (0g) protein, 0.1oz (4g) carbs, 0oz (0g) fiber, 0.1oz (4g) sugar, 0.3oz (8g) fat, 0.04oz (1g) saturated fat
About This Item
Even though one serving of Ken’s Zesty Italian Dressing and Marinade only has 90 calories and 0.3 ounces (8 grams) of fat, it packs a significant amount of sodium with 0.02 ounces (560 milligrams) per serving. If you are trying to limit the amount of salt you consume, you should not choose this option.
Additionally, it is gluten-free and does not have artificial colors or preservatives. You can make this zesty Italian sauce by expertly blending garlic, onion, crushed red pepper, and lemon.
The bold, bright flavors enliven green salads and perk up pasta salads. It is also an ideal marinade for when you want to give your meats extra flavor. Drizzle it over your favorite deli sandwich or cooked vegetables.
Lawry's Signature Italian with Garlic, Onion & Herbs Marinade (Pack of 6): Best Italian Marinade for Shrimp
Brand: Lawry’s Casero
Size: 12 fluid ounces (354 milliliters) bottles
Allergen information: Gluten-free
Nutritional content: 10 calories, 0oz (0g) fat, 340mg (0.34g) sodium, 0.07oz (2g) carbohydrate, 0.04oz (1g) sugars, 0oz (0g) protein
About This Item
Lawry’s Signature Italian with Garlic, Onion & Herbs Marinade contains romano cheese, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and fragrant herbs. It imparts a distinctly Italian flavor to chicken, pork, vegetables, and seafood.
It is also excellent for a chicken marinade in recipes for either a sheet pan or grilled chicken. It is a wet marinade that only takes 15 minutes to prepare for delicious meals in a flash. It performs exceptionally well whether you grill, bake, or saute the food. Also, it has no artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup, or added monosodium glutamate (MSG).
Bernstein's Restaurant Recipe Italian Salad Dressing & Marinade: Best Italian Pork Tenderloin Marinade
Brand: Bernstein
Size: 14 fluid ounces (414 milliliters) bottle
Specialty: High carbs content
Item form: Ambient
Nutrition content: 80 calories, 400mg (0.40g) sodium, 0oz (0g) protein, 0.10oz (3g) carbs, 0oz (0g) fiber, 0.04oz (1g) sugar, 0.28oz (8g) fat, 0.05oz (1.5g) saturated fat
About This Item
Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian Salad Dressing & Marinade includes one bottle that is 14 ounces (414 milliliters) in size. Make your salad more interesting by tossing it with vinegar, herbs, spices, garlic, and onion.
Also, you can use this flavorful Italian dressing as a marinade for various types of meat, including chicken, beef, and pork. It is among the best Italian pork tenderloin marinades.
Ken's Steak House Italian Dressing & Marinade, Gluten Free: Best Gluten-Free Italian Dressing and Marinade
Amazon’s Choice in Italian Salad Dressing by Ken’s Steak House
Brand: Ken’s Steak House
Diet type: Kosher
Specialty: Fatty
Size: 16 fluid ounces (473 milliliters) bottle
Item form: Liquid
Allergen information: Guten-free
Nutritional content: 150 calories, 0.59oz (17g) fat, 0.04oz (1g) saturated fat, 450mg (0.45g) sodium, 0oz (0g) carbohydrate, 0oz (0g) sugars, 0oz (0g) protein
About This Item
This restaurant-style Italian dressing and marinade are savory, bold, and bright. It blends perfectly with parmesan and romano cheeses, garlic, and lemon. Don’t forget to serve this gluten-free dressing with roasted vegetables. Also, shake well before using and store in the refrigerator after opening.
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There is no room for favoritism or discrimination in our carefully curated group of industry professionals, who offer equal opportunities to all brands.
In order to conclude that you can rely on, we carry out every step and examine the results. As a direct consequence of this, our findings are accurate, they are open to verification, and we never compromise our objectivity. As a consequence of this, you won’t have any reason to question the information that we provide.
How We Tested the Products
Our kitchen experts sampled each Italian dressing blindly, as they do with all of our taste tests. This helps to avoid any biases that testers may have. We evaluated eight different dressings using the following criteria:
- Appearance: Your salad dressing should look good right out of the bottle. Our team prefers dressings that appear to be flavorful (herbs and seasonings suspended inside are always a plus!) and visually appealing.
- Texture: Salad dressings have a surprising amount of texture variation. Good ones should be thick enough to coat salad greens but not so thick they become syrupy.
- Flavor: A good Italian salad dressing should balance vinegar, olive oil, and Italian herbs. This was a challenging test with only a few favorites at the end.
Nutritional Advantages of Italian Dressing
Italian dressing is a popular salad dressing found in most supermarkets. However, the flavor should not be the primary consideration when selecting salad dressings; the health benefits they provide should be the priority.
Additionally, the ingredients in Italian dressing may have some health benefits. Here’s the information you seek.
Beneficial to the Heart
Not all Italian salad dressings are identical and have the same heart-healthy benefits. Those who use olive oil, however, have a tremendous advantage. Olive oil consumption helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease in large-scale studies.
Olive oil is not the only heart-healthy oil. However, Italian dressings made with canola, corn, peanut, soybean, and sunflower (or a combination) contain a small number of saturated fats. Consequently, you can also incorporate them into heart-healthy diets. These oils have an abundance of unsaturated fats.
There are also various varieties of Italian dressing available. For instance, reduced-sodium, fat-free, or low-fat versions with fewer calories are available.
A Low-Calorie Substitute for Creamy Dressings
Want to add flavor to your salad without derailing your weight loss efforts? Italian dressing is preferable to many other high-calorie alternatives. It adds flavor to salad and provides healthy fat. Despite the high-fat content, this dressing is preferable to cream-based dressings such as ranch, thousand islands, and blue cheese.
Allergen-Friendly
About 26 million American adults, or approximately 11% of the population, have allergies. The majority of which are a result of eight major allergens. Italian dressing is free of all eight common ingredients, making it a common condiment for those with food allergies. However, if you have allergies, you must always check the label to ensure the food is safe to consume.
Allergies Related to Italian Dressing
Italian dressing typically does not contain the top eight food allergens; sensitivity to it is uncommon.
However, allergies and sensitivities are always possible with any food. You should avoid Italian salad dressing if you are allergic to olive or vegetable oil, lemon juice, vinegar, peppers, or related herbs and spices. People with dairy allergies should also avoid creamy Italian dressings or topped with cheese.
Additionally, there is a slight possibility that your Italian dressing mix contains soy, tree nuts, fish, or peanuts. Therefore, if you cannot tolerate them, ensure you read labels correctly. Italian dressing typically has none of the eight most common food allergens. Thus, an allergic reaction to it is uncommon.
However, allergies and sensitivities are sometimes possible with any food. You should avoid Italian salad dressing if you are allergic to olive or vegetable oil, lemon juice, vinegar, peppers, or related herbs and spices. People with dairy allergies should also avoid creamy Italian dressings or topped with cheese. It is always preferable to be conscious of what you consume.
FAQs on Italian Marinades and Dressings
Can You Use Italian Marinade as Dressing?
Italian dressing is one of the best marinades you can use. It is also a flavorful shortcut that will help you achieve perfectly juicy and flavorful steaks every time. It is a delicious and effective meat tenderizer that contains a combination of oil, vinegar, and various herbs and spices. Therefore it is ideal for tough cuts of beef.
How Long to Marinade Chicken in Italian Dressing
You should let the chicken marinate for at least an hour. You can get away with 30 minutes, but the longer the marinade sits, the more flavor it develops.
Summary
Italian dressing deserves recognition for its numerous potential health benefits and spicy, versatile flavor. However, some varieties, particularly non-homemade, commercially prepared preparations, have drawbacks. Several, for example, are high in metal, added sugars, artificial flavorings, and coloring.
It’s also challenging to see the oil’s standard and treatment levels in a purchased bottle. Many store-bought dressings are also highly processed and prone to oxidation.
For the best Italian marinades and dressings, we recommend the Primal Kitchen Italian Vinaigrette & Marinade Salad Dressing made with Avocado Oil, Whole30 Approved, Certified Paleo, and Keto Certified. It is gluten-free and low in calorie content.
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