The Best Italian Sub Dressing (Quick and Easy!)

5 from 6 votes
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This super easy homemade Italian sub dressing uses simple ingredients like red wine, olive oil and Italian seasoning to make a flavorful dressing perfect for topping your salads and submarine sandwiches.

Want to add it to a salad? Use this dressing on my Italian Grinder Salad!

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A small glass jar of italian submarine dressing with a spoon and sandwiches.

About this recipe

Whether you call it a submarine sandwich, a grinder, or a hoagie, you’ve probably had a classic Italian sandwich on a hearty roll from your local sub shop.

An Italian sub is typically an Italian loaf stuffed with deli meats like sliced turkey, deli ham, and genoa salami, shredded lettuce, tomato, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, and provolone cheese. Usually it comes with a simple, delicious Italian dressing that’s essentially a red wine vinaigrette.

This recipe uses heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil and super simple ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry or can grab at your local grocery store. Plus, it takes less than 5 minutes to whip together.

You can use it on homemade Italian subs (so good) or you can use it to top your favorite salads! It’s a super versatile salad dressing that really checks all the boxes for me.

Ingredients for Italian sub dressing in small bowls on a countertop with labels.
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Ingredients

Extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil is always a good choice for salad dressings because it adds heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and lots of flavor. I love this squeeze bottle version from Graza.

Red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar is the standard for sub dressing but you can swap in any vinegar you like. White wine vinegar, balsamic, or even apple cider vinegar would all work.

Italian seasoning: It’s an Italian dressing, so of course we’re using Italian seasoning!

Honey: If you want this to be a completely sugar-free dressing, you can skip the honey. I prefer to add just a tiny bit to cut the acidity of the vinegar.

Salt & pepper

A spoonful of salad dressing being put into an italian sub sandwich.

How to make homemade Italian sub dressing

  1. Add all of your ingredients to a small bowl or salad dressing shaker. Whisk until fully emulsified, or cover and give it a good shake until emulsified. Salt and pepper to taste.
  2. That’s it. Top your Italian sub sandwiches, cold cuts or salads with the dressing and enjoy!
A small glass jar of italian submarine dressing with a spoon and sandwiches.

Recipe Tips and Variations

  • Make it a zesty vinaigrette by adding a small clove of fresh garlic.
  • Turn your Italian cold cut subs into a salad, like in this Grinder Salad Recipe.
  • Use a food processor to make a big batch and quickly and efficiently emulsify your dressing.
  • Give it a kick with a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes.
  • Use your favorite vinegar! This is a great base recipe for any vinegars that you enjoy and have on hand.

You’ll Also Love:

Super Simple, No-Cook Italian Grinder Salad

Sweet Onion Dijon Vinaigrette Dressing

Easy Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe

2-Minute Honey Lime Vinaigrette

A small glass jar of italian submarine dressing with a spoon and sandwiches.
5 from 6 votes

The Best Italian Sub Dressing (Quick and Easy!)

Easy, flavorful Italian Sub Dressing to top your favorite Italian subs and salads with.
Prep: 5 minutes
Servings: 6
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Ingredients 

  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp salt, to taste
  • 1/4 tsp pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Add all of your ingredients to a small bowl or salad dressing shaker. Whisk until fully emulsified, or cover and give it a good shake until emulsified. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • That's it. Top your Italian sub sandwiches, cold cuts or salads with the dressing and enjoy!

Notes

You can use any vinegar that you have on hand for this dressing. White wine vinegar, balsamic, and apple cider vinegar are all great options.

Nutrition

Calories: 113kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 204mg | Potassium: 10mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an estimate.

Did you try this recipe?Leave a comment + star rating below!

Hi, I'm Jamie

Iโ€™m a Registered Dietitian of over 10 years and I love creating simple, delicious recipes that leave you feeling good, too. Healthy eating doesnโ€™t have to be complicated! Let me show you with easy healthy recipes and realistic nutrition tips.

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5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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Recipe Rating




16 Comments

  1. Brittney says:

    5 stars
    Does this need to be refrigerated?

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      I would refrigerate if your keeping leftovers ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Amanda says:

    I added a lot more mustard and Italian seasoning, and added a good amount of salt. My kids said it tastes just like Subways’s sub sauce! Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      So glad you enjoyed! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. Animal says:

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe!! I just enjoyed the best homemade Italian sub ever๐Ÿ˜‹!! Just what my taste buds ordered!! Thank you for sharing ๐Ÿ˜‹

  4. Animal says:

    5 stars
    This is a great recipe!! Thank you for sharing ๐Ÿ˜‹!! I made it exactly the way I found it, perfect!!

  5. Sarah says:

    Excellentโ€ฆno Dijon needed and substituted rice wine vinegar instead of red.

  6. Sherry says:

    Heat in the shelf life? How long can I store it in the refrigerator?

  7. Sherry says:

    Oops typo! *What is the shelf life? Not Heat!

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      I usually stick to about a week for fresh vinaigrettes, a little shorter if there’s fresh ingredients like garlic!

  8. Pamela says:

    Hi there,
    Made this last night for our Italian subs and this dressing was AWESOME! Saved it to my favourites. Thanks for this recipe!
    Pamela

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      So glad you loved it! Thank you for leaving a review ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. Emma says:

    5 stars
    Delicious & fresh dressing, tasted amazing on my turkey sandwich. Made one for my sister and sheโ€™s hooked lol! Will be keeping this recipe for sure.

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      Yay glad you loved it! It’s so simple but so good ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Don says:

    5 stars
    This Italian Sub Dressing recipe is FANTASTIC! We’ve tried a number of recipes, created our own recipes and have not been satisfied. I think it’s the use of Dijon mustard and a touch of honey. Great recipe, thank you!

    1. Jamie N, Registered Dietitian says:

      Thanks for leaving a review!