Name: Jimmy John's Oil and Vinegar Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 14
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil; ⅔ cup red wine vinegar; ¼ cup fresh lemon juice; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 2 cloves garlic, finely minced; 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1½ teaspoons fine sea salt; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

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This Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce Recipe is one of those simple approaches that makes food taste way better with almost no work. I make this at home when I want my sandwiches or salads to taste like an authentic deli.

One day in my kitchen, I was making a sandwich when I wanted it to taste like Jimmy John’s. I grabbed a bowl, a whisk, and some basic ingredients I usually have on hand. I mixed oil, vinegar, and a few other extras, and it tasted great right away.

The results smelled good, looked shiny, and had a satisfying taste. This sauce is easy to make, quick, and fits into everyday life. You don’t need special skills or tools; just a few minutes to make your food taste better.

What Is Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce and Why Is It So Popular?

Jimmy John’s oil and vinegar sauce is a simple mix used on their subs, which is not as thick as a dressing but light, smooth, and soaks right into bread and veggies.

It began its journey at Jimmy John’s sandwich shop and became part of American food style. It adds flavor fast and works on every sandwich without slowing things down.

Oil and vinegar have been used on bread for centuries. Long before bottled dressings, people would pour oil and vinegar over bread, meat, and greens. Jimmy John’s just kept it simple and stuck to what works.

Is This a Real Copycat or Just a Look-Alike?

It is a copycat home version of Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce. Since Jimmy John’s doesn’t sell the sauce in bottles, I created this recipe based on taste and texture.

This sauce gives a fresh and light feel. It is not creamy like ranch dressings as it runs, spreads, and merges with food. The flavor comes on quickly but doesn’t stay for long. You will first taste the oil, then the vinegar, and a light hint of herbs at the end.

I made this sauce several times, adjusting the oil, vinegar, and herbs until it tasted just right. The goal is to enhance the taste of food without compromising its quality.

Copycat Jimmy John's Oil and Vinegar Sauce Recipe

Why This Version Works So Well

Jimmy John’s oil-vinegar dressing is light and smooth. It has more oil than vinegar, no heavy ingredients, and just enough herbs to add flavor without being too strong.

Unlike Italian dressing, which is thick and contains sugar, gums, and fillers, Jimmy John’s dressing is richer and smoother. It doesn’t have the sharp, sour taste you find in Subway’s version.

The oil brings out the flavor, not the vinegar, which results in a sauce that blends into the bread instead of sitting on top of it. It adds a mild tang with a slight sweetness.

What Ingredients Are in Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce Recipe?

Here is the complete ingredient list

1 cup olive oil: Use a clean olive oil for the best results, as it is the base that enhances every other flavor.

Extra-virgin olive oil is the best choice for home cooking. For a milder taste, opt for light olive oil. The oil should be smooth and not bitter.

⅔ cup red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar has a strong flavor that can enhance your meals, waking up your taste buds, and balancing the flavors of meat and bread.

This vinegar has more depth than white vinegar, making it bold but not harsh. If it tastes too sour, you probably used too much.

¼ cup fresh lemon juice: This lifts the sauce. It adds a fresh top note that makes the oil feel lighter and more refreshing. Lemon doesn’t replace vinegar, but it softens it.

However, bottled lemon juice can also be used as an alternative.

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard acts as a glue, helping the oil and vinegar mix together more evenly. It adds a mild heat and depth without making the dressing taste like mustard.

You can use yellow mustard, but it changes the flavor. Use only a small amount of mustard; too much will overpower the other flavors.

2 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic gives the sauce its intense flavor. Raw garlic has a sharp taste at first, but it becomes milder as the sauce sits, making the sauce taste more like deli dressing than salad dressing.

If necessary, you can substitute garlic powder for fresh garlic.

2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey: It helps balance the acidity, making the vinegar less harsh, without adding sweetness.

2 teaspoons dried oregano: This herb is essential for deli flavors. It gives Italian subs their familiar smell and taste. If you don’t have oregano, you can use Italian seasoning instead.

1½ teaspoons sea salt (to taste): Salt enhances the overall flavor. It brings out the taste of the oil and vinegar. Too little salt makes the sauce bland, while too much can spoil it. Adjust the amount to match your taste.

1 teaspoon black pepper: Pepper adds warmth and depth. It does not burn. Freshly ground pepper offers more aroma and flavor than pre-ground pepper.

Tools You’ll Use in a Home Kitchen

Mixing bowl or glass jar
Whisk or fork
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Garlic press or knife
Lid or cover for storage

How to Make Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce at Home

Step 1: Add the Liquids

First, pour the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and lemon juice into a bowl or jar to help them mix quickly.

Step 2: Mix in Mustard and Sweetener

Next, whisk in Dijon mustard and maple syrup or honey. The mustard helps keep the oil and vinegar mixed.

Step 3: Add Garlic and Herbs

Then, add minced garlic and dried oregano. Mixing these ingredients early helps the flavors develop more.

Step 4: Season it slowly

Add salt and pepper last. Whisk again and taste it, adding more salt if needed for additional flavor.

Step 5: Rest the Sauce

Finally, let the sauce sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Chef Tips, Fixes, and Common Mistakes

Shake before each use.
Don’t add too much sweetener.
Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
Store in glass containers, not plastic.
If the taste is too strong, add oil.
If the flavor is dull, add salt.
If the mixture separates, whisk it again to recombine the ingredients.

How to Store It and Make It Ahead

You can prepare this sauce in advance. It actually tastes better after sitting overnight, as the garlic and herbs mix well with the oil.

To store, keep the sauce in a sealed jar in the fridge, where it will last up to 7 days. The oil may thicken when cold, which is a normal phenomenon.

Let it sit out for a few minutes and shake it before using.

Be sure to refrigerate it, as it contains garlic and lemon juice. Do not store it at room temperature.

What Can Be Served With Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce?

This sauce is perfect for sandwiches. It soaks into the bread and adds flavor without making a mess. The best sandwiches to use it on are turkey, roast beef, and veggie subs.

You can also use it on chopped salads, wraps, and grilled vegetables. It works well for marinating chicken or steak. It’s perfect for making homemade subs and hoagies.

If you prefer a lighter dressing, this sauce is better for sandwiches than for salads.

Common Questions People Ask about Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce Recipe

Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce Recipe FAQs

1. Does Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar recipe use herbs other than oregano?

Sometimes, a few other mild herbs are added to enhance the flavor. Dried basil adds a subtle sweetness if used in small amounts. Marjoram has a similar taste but is softer and less bitter than oregano.

A hint of thyme can provide a clean, earthy background flavor, and dried parsley may be added for freshness.

Potent herbs like rosemary, sage, dill, or cilantro are not used because they can overpower the sauce and alter the ideal Jimmy John’s taste.

2. How Much Oil and Vinegar Does Jimmy John’s Put on a Sandwich?

Jimmy John’s puts just enough oil and vinegar on a sandwich to coat the bread. If you use too much, the bread becomes soggy. At home, one to two tablespoons per sandwich works well.

3. How do you use oil and vinegar like Jimmy John’s?

Drizzle it directly on the bread before adding meat and vegetables to help spread the flavor evenly.

4. Is Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar Sauce vegan?

Yes, if you make it with maple syrup, this sauce is completely vegan.

5. Does Jimmy John’s Oil and Vinegar contain preservatives?

No, it does not contain bottled preservatives, which is why it always tastes fresh and clean.

6. Can I use this sauce in everyday meals?

Yes, you can. Just remember it is still oil, so use it wisely and enjoy it with your meals.

7. Why does my sauce taste different?

The taste can change due to the quality of the oil, the brand of vinegar, and the strength of the garlic. Make minor adjustments and taste as you go.

Yield: 14