We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

How Do I Choose the Best Italian Dressing Marinade?

By Jennifer Leigh
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

When determining the best Italian dressing marinade, consider the amount of time you wish to spend on preparation, the ingredients you want to be included and whether or not you should make it at home or purchase a store-bought marinade. Italian dressing marinade can be used on beef, chicken, pork and fish for a tangy result. Consider your health needs as well as taste when choosing a marinade.

If you wish to prepare homemade Italian dressing marinade, you can choose the ingredients that you wish to include. This gives you more control over the quality of the ingredients as well as how healthy the marinade is. Combine ingredients such as canola oil, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and Italian seasoning for the base of the recipe. Other possible ingredients include fresh chopped garlic, garlic powder and onion powder. Sea salt, ground black pepper and red pepper flakes finish the recipe and add some spice.

Store-bought marinades can be used in place of homemade marinades when the time for the preparation of a homemade Italian dressing marinade is not available. There are many different brands of Italian dressing marinade that can be purchased for use on various items. If cost is a consideration, choose one of the least expensive options, as this would be best for your budget. If cost is not a consideration, choose an Italian dressing marinade based upon the ingredients.

The best ingredients for a marinade should be recognizable to you when reading the label. Oil and vinegar should be the first two ingredients listed on the ingredient list. Dressings that have fewer preservatives might not last as long in the refrigerator, but are healthier options for you and your family, so stay away from dressings that include a long list of preservatives on the label. Choose a marinade that uses organic ingredients if you prefer to eat an organic diet, which would be included on the front of the packaging.

When looking for a healthy Italian dressing marinade that is store-bought, read the nutrition label before purchasing, particularly if eating healthy is important to you. Some marinades are higher in fat, sugar and sodium than others. Compare various brands to determine the best fit for your health and nutrition needs. When making homemade marinades, choose to include oils with healthy fats, such as olive oil, and less salt to keep the recipe healthy yet tasty.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Discussion Comments

By Ocelot60 — On Jan 09, 2015

@spotiche5- If you are using olive oil to make your Italian dressing marinade, that could be the problem. Try switching to another type of oil that has a much milder flavor, and this should tone down the flavor of your homemade marinade.

By Rundocuri — On Jan 08, 2015

@spotiche5- I always make my own Italian dressing marinade, because I like it to have a slightly sweet flavor. It's hard to find a commercial brand with this flavor, but easy to make it at home.

Just use your favorite Italian dressing ingredients like those mentioned in the article, and top them off with one or two teaspoonfuls of sugar. Not only will this add sweetness to the recipe, but it will also make the other flavors more subtle.

By Talentryto — On Jan 07, 2015

@spotiche5- You can reduce the amount of spices that you use when you make your Italian dressing marinade. Too much oregano for example will make the flavor of the marinade a bit overpowering.

You can also cut back on the garlic in the recipe. Since garlic is very strong in the first place, you don't need a lot of it to add flavor to your dressing marinade.

By Spotiche5 — On Jan 07, 2015

I tried making my own Italian dressing marinade using similar ingredients to the ones mentioned in the article. It was tasty, but I thought it was too tangy and spicy. Does anyone have some ideas for toning down an Italian dressing marinade recipe so it allows the flavors of the meat to come through?

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.