Copycat Pizza Hut Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

Boy oh boy did this copycat Pizza Hut creamy Italian salad dressing ever bring back memories. I was addicted to this dressing, especially in my college years when you could pick up a personal pan pizza or a hot sub and a side salad for cheap. I’d always ask for extra dressing. I could drink this stuff. I was so happy that this recipe came as close to the original as I’ve found. The right flavor. And the right consistency.

Copycat Pizza Hut Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

Ranch and Xanthan Gum for the Win

There are two keys to making this copycat Pizza Hut cream Italian dressing as close to the original as possible. The first is to use a quality Ranch dressing. One that’s full of flavor. For me, that means Hidden Valley Ranch original. The second is xanthan gum. Found in just about every store-bought food item you can find, it’s a thickener. It’s what gives this dressing that great thickness. A little goes a long ways, so just add the little amount the recipe calls for and let it do its thing.

This dressing is great on a sub sandwich too. Like really great!

This dressing is perfect on a classic diner chef salad!

Copycat Pizza Hut Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

Copycat Pizza Hut Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

Deliciously creamy. A truly wonderful dressing!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 252 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all but the xanthan gum into a food processor or blender.
  • Process until smooth and combined.
  • Add the xantham gum and process a little more until thick.

Notes

Stir dressing before serving. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 345mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 286IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 0.2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword copycat, dressing, Italian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Portillo’s Sweet Italian Salad Dressing

I gotta have a little something, a little sweet, in my vinegar-based dressings. I am a fan of vinegar but sometimes it’s a bit strong for me. That’s where the sweet comes in. It tames that vinegar hit down, but keeps the vinegar flavor. This copycat Portillo’s sweet Italian salad dressing does just that. Super tasty balsamic vinegar meets up with just a bit of sugar, just enough, to make this a wonderfully smooth dressing. With a hint of garlic and oregano, this was the perfect dressing for my side salad tonight.

Copycat Portillo's Sweet Italian Salad Dressing

Shake Before Serving

If you happen to have any leftover of this copycat Portillo’s sweet Italian salad dressing, make sure you give it one heck of a good long shake before serving it. The oil likes to separate from the vinegar. A good shake takes care of that.

I updated the original recipe to specify that you might want to add a bit more sugar and salt than stated. I made the dressing and then gave it a good taste. It needed something, so I added a pinch more of both sugar and salt. I gave it another good shake and tasted it again. Perfect!

Also try my homemade creamy Italian dressing.

Copycat Portillo's Sweet Italian Salad Dressing

Copycat Portillo’s Sweet Italian Salad Dressing

Shake well before serving.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 260 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into medium bowl and whisk until well-combined.
  • Serve immediately.
  • If you have any leftover dressing, make sure you give it a good stir again before serving.

Notes

You can substitute your favorite sweetener for the sugar.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 0.2gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gSodium: 150mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 0.05gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 0.2IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword balsamic, copycat, sweet
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

I’ve been waiting for good, fresh strawberries to show up at our local grocery store so I could make this copycat Panera strawberry poppy seed dressing. My patience was definitely rewarded and then some. This could easily be my favorite salad dressing of all time. Smooth strawberry flavor with just a bit of sweetness. White balsamic vinegar, while not as cheap as the dark version, is more mellow and adds a great tang. This dressing looks as amazing as it tastes, too. It’s a big ‘ooooh’ and ‘ahhhh’ winner on the table.

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

What Is White Balsamic Vinegar?

I was curious what makes white balsamic vinegar more subtle and rich than the dark version, so I Googled it. Turns out dark balsamic vinegar is aged for at least twelve years in barrels that have been fired and were previously used for other batches of balsamic vinegar. White balsamic vinegar, on the other hand, is aged at least twelve years in new barrels that have not been fired or used before. That explains the cleaner, smoother flavor! It’s perfect in this copycat Panera strawberry poppy seed dressing.

Other Berries Work Too!

You can substitute other berries for the strawberries if you want. Raspberries and black berries are great. Or even try peaches. I think this recipe will work well with any good in-season fruit.

Also try some Panera Bread Greek vinaigrette.

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

Copycat Panera Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad Dressing

Smooth strawberry flavor with just a bit of sweetness.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 67 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Combine all of the dressing ingredients except the poppy seeds together in a high-speed blender or food processor.
  • Mix until smooth.
  • Stir in the poppy seeds and serve.

Notes

Shake or stir before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 67kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 0.4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gSodium: 32mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword poppy seed, strawberry
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Ranch Salad Dressing

I have an addiction to Ranch dressing. It’s probably the reason I love wings so much. I can use wings as an excuse to feed my dressing habit. This copycat Outback Steakhouse Ranch salad dressing didn’t help me control my habit at all. In fact, it’s worse now. I wanted to drink this dressing out of the bottle. I didn’t even care if anyone was watching. It’s perfectly buttermilk-y. Perfectly creamy. And it has just the right hint of garlic. Man, oh man, do I love this dressing!

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Ranch Salad Dressing

Let it Rest

Make sure that you let this copycat Outback Steakhouse Ranch salad dressing rest at least 30 minutes before serving. Overnight is even better. Just give it a little stir before serving. You’ll get about 2 cups of dressing from this recipe. I’d call that 12 servings, but it really depends on how much you love dressing. If you’re normal, you’ll likely get more servings. If you’re like me, a true Ranch-aholic, you’ll be happy if you get the full 12 servings!

Of course, this dressing is also perfect (in flavor and consistency) for dipping your favorite vegetables. It’s not just for wings! I mean, salads.

Also try my copycat of Outback Steakhouse’s blue cheese vinaigrette.

This dressing is great for dipping wings. Check out For The Wing for great wing ideas!

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Ranch Salad Dressing

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Ranch Salad Dressing

Give the dressing a good stir before serving.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 140 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl.
  • Cover bowl and chill the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • If dressing is too thick add a bit of buttermilk (a little at a time) and whisk.
  • Stir before serving.

Notes

Although you can use low-fat buttermilk, full-fat makes for the best dressing.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 306mgPotassium: 18mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 39IUCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.05mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword creamy, Ranch
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Croutons

Add copycat Outback Steakhouse croutons to my ever-growing list of things I have no self-control around. I love a crouton that is packed with flavor. The bread has to be crunchy, golden brown on the outside. And the inside has to be just a bit soft. Not like mushy soft, but softer than the crust. These croutons hit the spot and tested my ability to control myself like it hadn’t been tested in a long, long time.

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Croutons

Make it Your Way

Don’t over-melt the butter when you make these copycat Outback Steakhouse croutons. You want it a bit thick. Like the consistency of mayonnaise. That’s what you’re looking for. Me, I love Cajun seasoning, so I added extra. I like a little spiciness. Most salads don’t have any heat to them at all. No kick. Well, add a little extra seasoning and yours can.

Croutons and More Croutons

This recipe calls for a whole loaf of Texas toast. That means you’ll get a lot of croutons. I do mean a lot. Enough for a big ole party or family get-together. You can easily cut the recipe in half and get a ‘manageable’ amount of croutons. Or make the entire thing and freeze any excess croutons for later.

Also try my copycat of Ruby Tuesday’s fantastic pumpernickel croutons!

This dressing is great for dipping wings. Check out For The Wing for great wing ideas!

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Croutons

Copycat Outback Steakhouse Croutons

Fantastically-flavored croutons!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 10 cups
Calories 170 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 loaf Texas toast
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter one-half pound
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning more or less, to taste
  • 1/4 cup garlic minced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Cut the bread into bite-sized pieces. I cut mine into 1" cubes. Transfer to two large baking sheets and bake for 8 or so minutes or until golden brown but NOT crunchy. You're more after color than doneness at this point. Remove and let cool.
  • Place butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds or more until the butter is just soft but NOT melted. You want it to be the consistency of mayonnaise.
  • Add the garlic and seasoning to the butter and mix well.
  • Transfer half of the butter mixture to a large bowl and add half of the bread cubes. Stir gently with a spatula or large spoon to coat well. Transfer the coated cubes back to a baking sheet. Repeat with the other half of the butter mixture and bread cubes.
  • Bake cubes another 10-20 minutes or until the croutons have the desired doneness, stirring every few minutes. For me this was about 10 minutes. I like my croutons to be crunchy on the outside and a little soft on the inside.
  • Remove from the oven and cool before serving.

Notes

You can substitute thick white bread or French bread for the Texas toast.

Nutrition

Calories: 170kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 4mgPotassium: 43mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 1082IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 14mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword copycat, croutons
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Marzetti Classic Original Slaw Dressing

Boy, oh boy, did this copycat Marzetti Classic Original slaw dressing ever hit the spot. I was looking for that great Marzetti flavor but in a homemade version that, if I wanted to, I can play with a bit. A little less vinegary perhaps. A little sweeter maybe. Or just like the original. I can make the call. This is good stuff and it makes for a mighty good coleslaw!

Copycat Marzetti Classic Original Slaw Dressing

Mighty Good

This copycat Marzetti Classic Original slaw dressing is much like the great dressing you can find in your grocer’s refrigerated section (by the packaged salads and refrigerated salad dressings). Creamy with a bit of that vinegar ‘tang’ and a little sweetness. This recipe makes enough for a 14 ounce bag of slaw mix. By ‘makes enough’ I mean the slaw will be nicely dressed but not overly so. If you like a coleslaw with a whole lot of dressing, you’ll either have to make more or grab some at the store!

Also try my copycat of the classic (no, really!) McDonald’s Chef Salad!

Copycat Marzetti Classic Original Slaw Dressing

Copycat Marzetti Classic Original Slaw Dressing

A delicious copycat of the store favorite!
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Coleslaw
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 472 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the dressing

For the coleslaw

  • 14 ounces coleslaw mix with carrots, etc.

Instructions
 

For the dressing

  • Place all ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • Add the coleslaw mix and fold until well-combined and the sugar is dissolved.

Notes

Stir again before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 472kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 2gFat: 42gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 25gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 384mgPotassium: 184mgFiber: 3gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 134IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 49mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword coleslaw, copycat, dressing
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

Last week was salad week here. Every once-in-a-while I go on a week-long campaign to make salads for dinner every night. Now, these are not little ole wimpy salads. No, they are meal-sized salads that dreams are made of. To add a special touch I often make dressings from scratch, like this copycat Chipotle honey vinaigrette. This dressing checked all the boxes. It has the perfect consistency. Nice and creamy. A little sweet. And a little heat. Heck, I just realized that my favorite salad dressings are a lot like barbecue sauces! Huh!

Copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

A Dressing. And A Marinade.

This copycat Chipotle honey vinaigrette is not only great on salads, it’s also great as a marinade for chicken. Just let chicken breasts get happy in the dressing for an hour or so, then grill as desired. Chicken thighs too. So make extra vinaigrette and enjoy something special!

Also try my copycat of Kraft’s bottled Catalina dressing!

Copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

Copycat Chipotle Honey Vinaigrette

A great dressing that is also a fantastic marinade!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 337 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients except for the olive oil into a blender.
  • Blend on low speed. With the blender still running, slowly add the oil.
  • Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Notes

Shake or stir before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 0.4gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 20gSodium: 478mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 315IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword honey, vinaigrette
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Chili’s Ranch Salad Dressing

I love simple and easy. But still delicious. Ranch is always my go-to dressing of choice. This copycat Chili’s Ranch salad dressing hit the spot. It was perfect on my chef’s salad. Nice and creamy without being too thick. Tasty. But not complicated. I had all of the ingredients on-hand. Some ranch dressings have a lot of ‘stuff’ in them. Not bad stuff, just lots of it. That makes me tend to shy away from making them. Not this one. This is a great dressing!

Copycat Chili's Ranch Salad Dressing

Pickle Juice for the Win

The recipe for a copycat Chili’s Ranch salad dressing calls for pickle juice. You know, that stuff in the jar after you’ve taken the last dill pickle. I never ever throw that juice out. It’s great in recipes like this. It’s also great as a chicken marinade. It lasts forever. It’s not hurting anyone. Leave it in the back of the fridge because some day you’re going to need it and you’ll be happy you have it!

I bought these little dressing cups to try and help me with my Ranch dressing addiction. The theory is that they keep me from over-dressing my salads. And they often do just that. Unfortunately, though, the kitchen isn’t that far away and refilling these little cups doesn’t take long!

Also try some homestyle garlic ranch salad dressing.

Copycat Chili's Ranch Salad Dressing

Copycat Chili’s Ranch Salad Dressing

Inspired by a recipe from The Sauce Chick
Easy and delicious.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 256 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until combined and smooth.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Stir before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 451mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword copycat, Ranch
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Charleston-Style Coleslaw

I have never ever put anything citrusy into my coleslaw. Never even thought about it actually. My slaws are usually creamy, and often sweet. Citrus in a slaw really changes how it tastes. It gives it a lighter feel. Brighter. The addition of a sweet onion also makes this Charleston-style coleslaw different than your traditional version. I liked the crunch of the onion and the crispness of the cabbage and carrots in the slaw. This was different, and delicious!

It Doesn’t Have To Be Sweet

Add a few minced jalapenos for a little extra kick in your Charleston-style coleslaw. Or for a sweeter variation, add a small can of (drained) pineapple chunks. Me, I rather liked the way it was. A lot. But pineapple would definitely make it pop even more. And the jalapeno? Not all slaws need to be tame. Just remember that if you’re making it for a crowd not everyone might appreciate your efforts and you might have to save the jalapeno for yourself. For later.

Also try my fantastic country coleslaw recipe!

Charleston-Style Coleslaw

Charleston-Style Coleslaw

A creamy slaw with a lively citrus twist.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Course Coleslaw
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 151 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 2 tablespoon sugar
  • 6 cups coleslaw mix
  • 1 cup carrots shredded. not needed if your cabbage slaw mix already has carrots
  • ½ cup sweet onion chopped
  • jalapenos to taste. stemmed, seeded and minced (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Place the mayonnaise, salt, pepper, lime juice and zest and sugar into a large bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and stir to coat.
  • Refrigerate for 2 hours.

Notes

Stir before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 151kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 327mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1832IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 0.3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword citrus, coleslaw
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

I’ve made a few complicated salad dressings in my time. You know, a long list of ingredients. A little bit of time. This buttermilk blue cheese salad dressing isn’t one of those. A handful of ingredients makes for a great dressing. There’s nothing complicated here. Just creamy buttermilk richness with the tang of blue cheese. Perfect for my dinner salad.

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Dip Away!

This buttermilk blue cheese salad dressing isn’t crazy thick. It pours out easily. You can add more blue cheese (or less buttermilk, depending on how you want to look at it) to make it a bit thicker if you like. I like it thinner. It’s perfect for taking that radish or cherry tomato and dipping. Big time dipping. Get-some-blue-cheese-chunks-on-it kind of dipping.

This dressing is also fantastic for dunking wings.

Also try some homemade garlic ranch salad dressing.

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

An easy, tasty dressing perfect for salads (and wings!)
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 5 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 259 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into a medium bowl. Whisk until combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Notes

Stir again before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 372mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 176IUCalcium: 112mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword blue cheese, buttermilk
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!