People | Food | Culture

Parmesan Salad dressing

ByAva
Published OnSep 22, 2024
Updated OnApr 1, 2026

If you’re on the lookout for a new salad dressing, give this one a try! Parmesan salad dressing is one of my all-time favorites. It’s tangy, versatile, and full of flavor. Its savory taste can elevate a simple green salad or enhance an easy pasta salad.

This salad dressing is quick and easy to make, making it perfect for any occasion, especially if you’re looking to enhance the bold flavors in your salad repertoire. In the 20th century, the world experienced the evolution of salad dressings, leading to the creation of Parmesan salad dressing. The best part about this Parmesan salad dressing is that it comes together in just a few minutes and tastes amazing. You’ll never want to buy store-bought salad dressing again!

Parmesan cheese complements this salad dressing well. It’s hard, granular, and comes from cow’s milk. It has a rich, salty, and nutty taste. However, other cheeses would work in this salad dressing. You can use Pecorino Romano, as it has a similar granular texture, which means it can be grated with a microplane cheese grater. A vegetarian option would be Nutritional yeast, which is also dairy-free. Nutritional yeast has a cheesy flavor. Grana Padano is milder and less salty than Parmesan; however, if you have it on hand and don’t have Parmesan, it will work well too.

Ingredients

Parmesan cheese, Apple Cider Vinegar, Worcestershire Sauce, Black olive brine, Onion powder, Oregano, Salt, Pepper, Olive oil.

Apple cider vinegar is milder and less sharp than regular white vinegar. If you’re using white vinegar, it’s important to reduce the amount, as it can be overpowering in the salad dressing and may not complement the Parmesan cheese. This dressing is enhanced by Worcestershire sauce, which offers hints of molasses, tamarind, and garlic. While onion powder is not common in most salad dressings, it adds a significant depth of flavor and should not be omitted. If you don’t have onion powder, you might substitute it with nutritional yeast.

Black olive brine adds a salty, tangy note, while onion powder adds a savory touch. Along with oregano, salt, and pepper, this salad dressing creates a delightful fusion of flavors. For the best taste, choose an olive oil from Italy, Spain, or Greece. Extra-virgin olive oil is recommended for its fruity flavor, which enhances the dressing.

Other good substitutes for olive oil include avocado oil, walnut oil, and sesame oil, which can give your salad dressing a slightly Korean twist. Sesame oil, commonly used in South Korea, has a nutty flavor. If you opt for sesame oil instead of another type, consider swapping soy sauce for Worcestershire sauce. One essential ingredient that should not be overlooked is honey. It plays a crucial role in neutralizing the vinegar’s acidity. Feel free to adjust the amount of honey according to your preference, especially if you enjoy a sweeter salad dressing.

Instructions

Add the Apple Cider Vinegar, Salt, Parmesan cheese, Honey, Worcestershire sauce, spices and olive oil to a bowl. Mix well. Parmesan salad dressing has a creamy texture with a slight nutty flavour.

If you find the Parmesan Salad dressing rather tart or tangy, adding more honey can balance the flavors, creating a tangier, sweeter combination. This Parmesan salad dressing was used in the Easy Pasta Salad. Taste the salad dressing before adding it to the salad. If you prefer a less vinegary taste, you can adjust the taste by adding more olive oil. For a sweeter salad dressing, increase the honey. Do so gradually, a teaspoon at a time, to find your preferred taste. Store in the fridge for two to three days in an airtight glass jar. Avoid adding salad dressings with vinegar and olive oil into plastic containers.