Homemade Substitute

• We have become rather dependent on fast-and-easy mixes, including powdered salad dressing. Items like this are useful for much more than just salad. Nonetheless, necessity is the mother of invention. When you’re out of the pre-packaged powdered blend, make your own. dry Italian dressing consists of equal parts onion powder, garlic, parsley, sugar, pepper, and basil, 2 parts oregano, and ½ part celery leaf. You can also add thyme if you wish. Once together this lasts in a dark, airtight container for about 6 months without losing freshness. Use this in the same way as instructed by your recipe for the commercial blend.

Soup Mixes

• Powdered soup mixes often have flavor profiles very close to what you need for your recipe. Examples include vegetable blends -- even soup in a cup -- tomato with basil for a Mediterranean appeal, minestrone or onion soup powder, to which you add some of the traditional Italian herbs. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, just add flavorings slowly so they don’t overpower your recipe.

Other Powdered Dressings and Spices

• Dry Italian dressing isn’t the only product suited to various recipes – meatloaf being one example. Change it up a bit. Use some powdered ranch dressing or perhaps garlic and herb. Taco seasoning could give you a truly distinctive blend that surprises guests, as could some gourmet popcorn seasoning.

Liquid Alternative

• If you have Italian salad dressing, any type of vinaigrette, Greek dressing or garlic with olive oil, you should have no trouble with the flavor profile of the dish. Just add the liquid slowly. If the recipe called for water or other liquids, reduce them according to the amount of fluid substituted.