Easy Garlic Dressing

This Easy Garlic Dressing is bold, tangy, and just absolutely packed with fresh garlic. No skimping on garlic here. This one is for serious garlic lovers only! Ready in minutes with fresh garlic, lemon, Parmesan, and olive oil!

The Most Garlic Dressing To Ever Dressing

Hi, are you hoping to repel friends and family and loved ones with your intense garlic breath? Boy, do I have the recipe for you.

Sorry – not a great selling point, I know, but I just really want to convey that this new *favorite* dressing I’ve whipped up is for serious garlic lovers only.

It’s an easy garlic salad dressing, but gosh, does it pack a punch.

If you’re the type of person who sees a recipe that calls for 2 cloves of garlic and then you add 4 cloves of garlic (or hey, maybe 6?), then this one is for you.

This is a zesty, tangy Italian-style dressing with a bold garlic bite.

Too intense for you? Try our Greek dressing or our homemade blue cheese dressing instead.

♥ 3 Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe:

Fresh is best: This homemade garlic dressing packs in more fresh garlic flavor, tang, and bite than store bought dressing could ever dream of.

Versatile: It’s good for more than just salads! Marinate some chicken breasts or thighs and then grill them up for an intensely delicious dinner.

Serious garlic lovers only: If you’ve never really eaten fresh garlic, you may not know that it has a serious bite to it. It’s almost spicy! I wouldn’t call this dressing spicy at all, but it does have that garlic bite that a true garlic lover is going to love.

Ingredients, Swaps, & Tips:

• Fresh garlic is best. It’s got a stronger flavor than jarred garlic or a tube of garlic paste. If you want a more mild flavor, you can use jarred.
• Mayo swap. Greek yogurt works if you want it lighter and tangier!
• Cheese swap. Try Pecorino Romano for a saltier bite. Otherwise, freshly grated Parmesan is perfect here.
• Tangy flavors. More lemon juice or red wine vinegar for a zippier taste, or less if you don’t want it as zesty.
• Taste & adjust. Once you’ve mixed this altogether, dip a finger in and give it a taste. If it’s too tangy, add more oil. If it needs more bite, add in a squeeze of lemon or crack in some more fresh pepper.
• Make It Creamier: Add an extra tablespoon of mayo for a thicker, creamier dressing.
• Herb Variations: Try adding fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or dill for extra flavor.

Why Garlic Paste Makes All the Difference

The key to this dressing is turning fresh garlic into a smooth paste. Here’s why it matters and how to do it:

Why bother with garlic paste?

• Distributes garlic flavor evenly throughout the dressing
• No biting into harsh chunks of raw garlic
• Creates a smoother, creamier texture
• Mellows the garlic slightly while keeping the bold flavor

How to make garlic paste:

1. Mince your garlic cloves as finely as you can with a sharp knife.
2. Sprinkle the minced garlic with a pinch of coarse salt (the salt acts as an abrasive).
3. Turn your knife sideways and use the flat side of the blade.
4. Press down firmly and drag the knife across the garlic, smashing it into the cutting board.
5. Repeat this smashing and dragging motion until you have a smooth, spreadable paste.
6. It should look creamy and uniform, not chunky.

This takes about 60 seconds once you get the hang of it, and it makes a huge difference in the final dressing.

Serving Suggestions:

This garlic dressing is both incredibly easy and super versatile:

• Use as a dip for crusty bread
• Toss with mixed greens for a simple side salad
• Drizzle over grain bowls or pasta salads
• Use as a marinade for chicken or vegetables
• Serve alongside grilled meats as a sauce
• Toss with roasted vegetables

Storage:

Fridge: This dressing can be stored in a mason jar or airtight container for about 5 days in the fridge. Just be sure to shake or stir well before serving. We really like this salad dressing shaker.

Freeze: We wouldn’t recommend trying to freeze this recipe. Luckily, it’s easy to make and tastes so much better fresh!

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