Portillo’s House Dressing Recipe (Easy Copycat)

When I go to Portillo’s and order their chopped salad, one dressing always comes with it – the house salad dressing. They call it “house dressing” because it’s their signature blend that they use at all their locations. It’s what makes their salads special and keeps people coming back.

They serve this house dressing at their restaurants, and the good thing is they sell it in 16 oz bottles. You can find the dressing at many grocery stores and on their official site too.

When I first tried making this at my home, my aunt asked me why we need to recreate this dish when we can buy it easily. That’s a fair point. But I love to eat homemade and fresh food, and that’s why I wanted to recreate it. The homemade version tastes better and uses simple ingredients.

So if you also want a homemade version of Portillo’s House Dressing Recipe, just follow this recipe and get the exact authentic taste.

What Kind of Dressing is Portillo’s House Dressing

Portillo’s house dressing is a creamy Italian-style vinaigrette. It has a mayo base mixed with oil and vinegar.

The dressing includes herbs and spices like oregano and garlic. It’s thicker than regular vinaigrette but lighter than ranch.

What Does Portillo’s House Dressing Taste Like

The dressing has a rich, tangy flavor with a creamy texture. You’ll notice the bright lemon juice and vinegar right away. The garlic comes through strong but not too much.

I love how the oregano adds an Italian herb note to each bite. The maple syrup balances everything with a tiny touch of sweetness. When you taste it, the mustard gives a mild kick. You get creaminess from the mayo and smoothness from the olive oil.

It’s tangy, garlicky, and slightly sweet all at once. I think it tastes better than the bottled version because the flavors are fresher.

Portillo’s House Dressing Ingredients & Substitutions

• Mayonnaise (1/2 cup): This creates the thick, creamy base that holds everything together. It gives the dressing body and richness. You can use Greek yogurt for a lighter version that still works great.
• Lemon Juice (2-3 tablespoons): Fresh lemon juice adds bright, citrus flavor and tanginess. It helps cut through the richness of the mayo. Lime juice can work too and gives a slightly different citrus note.
• Olive Oil (4-5 tablespoons): This adds smoothness and helps the dressing pour easily. It also brings a subtle fruity flavor. Avocado oil is another good choice that works the same way.
• Wine Vinegar (1 tablespoon): This brings sharp, acidic flavor that balances the creamy parts. Red wine vinegar or white wine vinegar both work perfectly. Apple cider vinegar can step in and does a similar job.
• Grain Mustard (3/4 – 1 teaspoon): The little mustard seeds add texture and a mild spicy taste. Dijon mustard can replace this, though it will be smoother without the seeds.
• Maple Syrup (1 teaspoon): Just a little sweetness to balance all the tangy flavors. Honey works beautifully here too and blends in the same way.
• Minced Garlic (1/2 teaspoon, plus 1/4-1/2 teaspoon extra): Fresh garlic gives that punchy, aromatic flavor Portillo’s is known for. Jarred minced garlic saves time and still tastes good.
• Garlic Powder (1/3 teaspoon): This adds deeper garlic flavor that spreads throughout the dressing. It’s different from fresh garlic and you need both for the full taste.
• Dried Oregano (3/4 teaspoon): This herb brings that Italian, slightly earthy flavor. Italian seasoning can work as a backup since it contains oregano plus other herbs.
• Sweet Paprika (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a gentle, sweet pepper flavor and a little color. Regular paprika works just as well.
• Ground Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Gives a bit of spice and sharpness. Use as much or as little as you like.
• Salt (a small pinch): Brings out all the other flavors and makes everything taste better. Sea salt or kosher salt both work fine.

Essential Kitchen Equipment

1. Medium-Sized Mixing Bowl: To combine everything
2. Whisk: Blends ingredients until smooth
3. Measuring Spoons and Cups: Ensures accurate amounts
4. Small Jar or Bottle: For storing your dressing

How To Make Portillo’s House Dressing (Step-by-Step)

1. Combine the Base: Take your mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, and wine vinegar. Put in the grain mustard, maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic, and all the dried spices. This means the garlic powder, dried oregano, sweet paprika, black pepper, and salt.

2. Mix It Well: Use your whisk to mix everything together. Stir it very well. Keep whisking until the dressing looks smooth and creamy. There should be no separate pools of oil or mayo. This takes about one minute of good stirring.

3. Add the Fresh Garlic: Now, add the extra 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic to the bowl. Whisk it one more time to mix it through. This last addition gives a perfect fresh garlic taste.

4. Serve or Store: Your homemade Portillo’s house dressing is done! You can use it right away on your favorite salad. If you are not using it now, pour it into your jar or bottle. Close the lid tightly and put it in the refrigerator.

Tips for Making Perfect House Salad Dressing

Adjust the Garlic to Your Liking: Everyone has different tastes when it comes to garlic strength. Start with the smaller amount of extra garlic (1/4 teaspoon) and taste your dressing. You can always add more, but you cannot take it out once it’s mixed in.

Let It Rest Before Serving: Your dressing tastes good right away, but it gets even better if you let it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This resting time lets all the flavors marry together. The herbs soften, the garlic mellows slightly, and everything blends into one perfect taste.

Shake Before Each Use: When your dressing sits in the fridge, the oil might separate a little bit. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Just give your jar a good shake before you pour it, and everything will mix back together smoothly.

Thin It Out if Needed: Sometimes you might want a thinner, more pourable dressing. Add a teaspoon of water or extra lemon juice at a time and whisk it in. Keep adding tiny amounts until you get the consistency you want.

Recipe Variations

1. Spicy Version: I sometimes add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to my batch. This gives the dressing a nice little kick that goes great with heartier salads. You only need about 1/8 teaspoon to feel the heat.

2. Herb-Loaded Style: You can toss in some fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil. About a tablespoon of fresh herbs makes the dressing taste even brighter and more garden-fresh.

3. Lighter Option: Replace half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt. This cuts down on calories but still gives you that creamy texture you want.

4. Extra Tangy: If you love sour flavors like I do, add another tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. This makes the dressing even more zippy and bright.

Best Ways To Serve This Portillo’s House Dressing

Portillo’s serves this dressing on their famous chopped salad. They pour it generously over crisp lettuce, tomatoes, pasta, cheese, and their special toppings. The dressing coats every piece evenly. They serve it chilled in a cold bowl.

I love to use this dressing in so many ways beyond just salads. I drizzle it over grilled chicken breasts for extra moisture and flavor.

It works great as a sandwich spread too – try it on turkey or veggie sandwiches. I also use it as a dip for raw vegetables like carrots, celery, and bell peppers.

The most popular way people love this is poured over a big Italian chopped salad with salami, cheese, chickpeas, and pasta.

Make Ahead & Storage Tips

You can prepare this dressing up to 5 days before you need it. Store it in a sealed jar or bottle in the refrigerator. The cold temperature keeps everything fresh and safe to eat.

The flavors actually get better after a day or two as everything blends together. Always keep the container sealed tight. This prevents the dressing from absorbing other food smells from your fridge.

Before using, take it out and let it sit at room temperature for 5 minutes, then shake well.

This recipe is not good for freezing. The mayonnaise and oil will separate when frozen and thawed.

This homemade version is so fresh and tasty. You can have the flavor you love anytime.

I hope you try this simple Portillo’s House Dressing Recipe. It really is the best topping for your next salad.