What Is In This Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe
This Italian dressing recipe is made with simple pantry ingredients:
- red wine vinegar
- Dried oregano, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Sugar, salt and black pepper
- Extra virgin olive oil
Salad dressing doesnt have to be complicated! Use good quality ingredients you will have an amazingly flavorful dressing in no time at all!
What Ingredients Are Included In An Olive Garden Salad
An Olive Garden Salad is generally served as a bed of Romain lettuce topped with red onion, tomato, whole pepperoncinis, and kalamata olives. It can also be commonly served with croutons and in the restaurant they offer freshly grated Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper to add table side. Please review the following list for the amounts you will need to make your own Olive Garden salad at home.
- 4-6 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- half of a small red onion sliced into rings or half slices
- 1 large tomato, halved and sliced
- 8 whole pepperoncinis, drained
- 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup croutons
- freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- freshly cracked black pepper
How To Make Olive Garden Salad
The full garden salad ingredients list is below but its got lettuce, roma tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncincis, black olives, croutons and freshly grated Parmesan Cheese! I found the mixing the lettuce together first then adding in the tomatoes, onions, olives and pepperoncincis because they can handle the toss but then just topping with the croutons and Parmesan.
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Why I Love This Olive Garden Salad Recipe
I know a lot of places are opening back up, but the thought of going out to eat right now just doesnt thrill me like it used to. Especially when we have to deal with food allergies on top of everything else.
Thankfully, we can make copycat versions of our favorite dishes, and this one is almost spot-on. I say almost because we left out the cheese, but this salad recipe is really satisfying. Feel free to add that back in if it works for you.
And since youre making it at home, you can add as many of your favorite ingredients for me its the olives and pepperoncini as you want.
Olive Garden Salad Recipe
You dont need to go out to enjoy the flavors of your favorite Italian salad. This Olive Garden salad recipe is super easy to make at home and features all your favorite ingredients tomatoes, olives, croutons and that classic pepperoncini. Ive made this one dairy free, but you can easily customize it at the table with your favorite cheese, just like they do at the restaurant.
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Veggies For Olive Garden Salad
- For a true copycat Olive Garden salad, the one you’re familiar with has lettuce , black olives, pepperoncini peppers, sliced red onions, Roma tomatoes slices, and garlic croutons. Toss with this dressing, add more grated parmesan if desired, and enjoy!
- But you can totally use any vegetables you like with this vinaigrette. It’s great over mixed greens and even shredded cabbage/coleslaw mix. Add any of your favorite fresh toppings.
How Do You Make Our Homemade Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe
The secret is a blend of creaminess from extra virgin olive oil and mayonnaise, with just the right amount of tartness from lemon juice, a hint of Italian spices topped off with just a pinch of red pepper flakes.
It takes only minutes to put together this homemade Olive Garden salad dressing recipe and it will keep for 3-4 weeks in the refrigerator.
Dont let the number of ingredients scare you, these are spices and ingredients you probably have in your cupboard or crisper right now.
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Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Step By Step
A true Olive Garden salad isnt complete without the famous salad dressing. The dressing is surprisingly simple to make and only includes mayonnaise, white vinegar, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, pepper, and heaps of Italian seasoning.
Heres how to make your own at home:
The Best Copycat Olive Garden Dressing
Simple and delicious, thats the best way to cook! Knowing everything in your dressing is even better. Be prepared to be wowed with this copycat dressing!
- Mix: You can use a simple whisk to mix this or a blender to really emulsify it.
- Let it rest: Let the flavors meld together by letting it sit in the fridge for an hour at least before serving.
- Store it: Store in a jar with a tight-fitting lid for up to three weeks. Shake well before each use.
- Fresh: Make sure your Italian dressing mix and olive oil are fresh so the flavors are at their best.
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Try This Olive Garden Salad Recipe At Home
Next time youre craving Olive Gardens amazing salad, consider preparing it at home instead using this copycat dressing and delicious salad. Recreating copycat versions of restaurant favorites is the perfect way to spend less going out. The best part is this recipe is one thats easy to prepare!
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. Id love to see your photo of this Copycat Olive Garden Salad!
Post Information: This Olive Garden Salad Recipe was originally written on 2/27/13 by Tara of Unsophisticook. It has been edited by Good Life Eats to include additional information and new photos. Photography: photos taken in this post are by Rachael from Set the Table.
Is Olive Garden Salad Considered Healthy
Salad is one of the healthiest dishes we can opt for when were eating out. However, you cant always be 100% certain of what ingredients reach your bowl.
Although lettuce, tomatoes, and the other veggies incorporated into Olive Garden salad are very good for you, other ingredients are not so great.
If youre health-conscious, here are some ways in which you can modify the original recipe and make this a healthier copycat version of the Olive Garden House Salad.
Salad dressings can be full of unhealthy fats and sugar, and the Olive Garden dressing is no different. Try reducing the amount of oil you use in your dressing to lower calorie count.
Alternatively, you could just drizzle less dressing onto your bowl, to begin with.
Parmesan cheese is also high in fat. To combat this, you could opt for a low-fat alternative to parmesan cheese.
Alternatively, you can add just a sprinkle a small amount of it over your salad, rather than mixing it inside. If you do decide to remove any of the unhealthier ingredients, you bulk your salad back out by adding more of your favorite veggies, such as onions or lettuce.
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Copycat Olive Garden Salad
What if I told you that Ive replicated the famous Olive Garden Salad and created my own version that tastes even better?
Ive done it! My recipe is so quick and easy to make using only fresh ingredients that combine into a copycat dish with the same delicious flavors and textures. Its crunchy, creamy, salty, tangy, and even has a bit of heat. The colors are bright and vibrantits simply a satisfying, made-from-scratch restaurant favorite that I love to make at home!
The dressing in this salad is so delicious that many grocery stores are now selling it. And while the ingredient list is fairly long, it only takes minutes to make and when poured over the contents you have on your plate, its pure perfection!
Plus creating recipe favorites at home is not only cheaper , but you can customize the flavors and have fun experimentingadd a protein for a main meal, leave out the olives, or change the cheese. No matter how you serve it, this Olive Garden Salad is addictively amazing!
How To Make Olive Garden Salad Dressing:
Step 1. Combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl and whisk to combine completely.
a. Adding ¼ C. Olive oil
b. Adding 3 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
c. Adding 2 Tbsp. White wine vinegar
d. Adding 1 Tbsp. Lemon juice
e. Adding 3 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese grated
f. Adding ¼ tsp. Garlic powder
g. Adding ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
Step 2. Serve drizzled over a salad of your choice.
Enjoy!
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How To Make Olive Garden Salad Dressing At Home
It doesnt get much easier than this to make this salad. If you do not have a blender, grab a bowl and a whisk. Or you could put all of the ingredients and place them in a jar, fasten a lid, and shake vigorously.
- Place all ingredients in a blender until well mixed. If this is a little too tart for your personal taste, add a little extra sugar.
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe
Make every salad taste amazing
Olive Garden seems to be know for so many favorites. Alfredo pasta, Zuppa Toscana, Pasta e Fagioli, those bread stick and my favorite.the crunchy, endless salad. Im not gonna lie thoughI probably wouldnt love the salad as much without their famous dressing. YUM!
Well folks, now you can have that delicious salad dressing whenever you want! To top it off, its SUPER EASY to make! Go grab your favorite salad and lets get shakin!
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How To Make Olive Garden Italian Dressing
Tips To Make The Best Homemade Olive Garden Salad
When developing this recipe for Olive Garden Salad, weve discovered a few tips that make this salad irresistible every time.
Serve it chilled! The reason so many people love this salad at the restaurant is because its crisp and crunchy, right out of the chiller, when it comes to the table. No soggy, warm lettuce no limp tomatoes. You can mimic this effect at home by combining the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Chill it in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before adding the dressing and croutons, then serve it right away. Also, you can achieve a chilled Olive Garden salad by keeping all ingredients cold until right before you chop them. Then, toss everything together quickly and serve immediately.
Dont skip the extras! Olive Garden has really perfected this recipe and people love it for a reason. The perfect combination of textures, flavors, and acidity come together for a satisfying salad that so many people love. Thats why we recommend you follow the recipe as written. Sure you could skip the pepperoncini peppers or the sliced red onion, if those arent your favorites. But just know that this salad is a case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
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Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe
A favorite restaurant copycat dish of ours is this recipe for Olive Gardens salad dressing.
Our recipe is creamy and tangy, just like the original, so now you can enjoy this famous salad from the comfort of your own home with just a quick trip to the grocery store!
When my kids were younger, eating out on a budget wasnt too terribly difficult, even for our family of seven. One of our favorite restaurants has always been the Olive Garden.
To the kids, it was affectionately known to our family as The Grape Place. Thats what the kids called it when they were very young based on their familiar logo.
Big portions of pasta, unlimited soups, and endless bowls of salad and baskets of breadsticks make for a hearty meal and went a long way with our large family.
But as time marches on, one by one my kids are starting to graduate from the childrens menu to the regular menu, and were finding out that a meal out can put quite a dent in our finances.
And thats why weve started trying to recreate some of our favorite dining out dishes, like this Copycat Olive Garden Salad, at home.
Its delicious poured over a big bowl of salad greens, topped with red onion, black olives, Roma tomato, tangy pepperoncini peppers, and your favorite croutons. For homemade croutons, try this recipe for buttery sourdough garlic croutons .
Click HERE to save this recipe for How to Make a Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Recipe to Pinterest!
Whats In This Olive Garden Dressing Recipe
- Italian dressing mix packet This can be found anywhere you pick up your groceries in the same section youd find dips and dressings. If not, check out the seasoning section. Were taking this shortcut so we can get the flavors and essence of Italian dressing without all of its other ingredients.
- Olive oil Extra virgin olive oil is neutral tasting and a popular choice in many salad dressings. Its loaded with good fat and nutritional benefits, so dont skimp on this! If you dont have any on hand, you could opt for avocado oil instead.
- White vinegar Oil and vinegar is a traditional base for all kinds of vinaigrettes. The acidity delivers a zesty lip-smacking punch!
- Sugar The sweetness that counterbalances the above-mentioned punch. You can opt to use non-refined honey.
- Mayo The mayo adds a creamy texture which helps to thicken it up. The added oil and fat give it a richness taking it from a runny dressing to something with a little more substance. takes it from a
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How To Use Olive Garden Dressing
This dressing is not just for a green salad, although if that is all you used it for that would be fine. You can enjoy this incredible Olive Garden dressing on so much more. Use the dressing as a marinade for chicken and steak before grilling or air frying. Drizzle it over roasted or grilled vegetables. And lets not forget the pasta! This dressing is a must for some of the best pasta salads ever! Try it on these and just see how it adds to the flavor.
Salads
The Ingredients For The Olive Garden Salad Dressing
- Mayo, Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar & Lemon Juice: The base of the dressing! Use AIP mayo for AIP.
- Dried Parsley, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dried Basil, Sea Salt, Black Pepper: These all give the dressing its classic flavor! You can omit the black pepper for AIP.
- Nutritional Yeast: This rounds the dressing out with its cheesy flavor! Substitute parmesan cheese if tolerated.
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What Is An Olive Garden Salad
Its a combination of iceberg lettuce, sliced Roma tomatoes, black olives red onions, pepperoncinis, and topped with Parmesan cheese and homemade croutons. Together with the dressing, and a basket of soft garlicky Olive Garden breadsticks, its a light lunch made in heaven!
Of course, if youre looking to complete your meal try a soup! Zuppa Toscana or pasta e fagioli are always a great choice!
A Creamy Italian Dressing Recipe
I think one of my favorite things to do is to recreate my favorite restaurant meals at home, like with this Olive Garden Salad Dressing. I always say that even though recipes can sometimes come close to those restaurant favorites, I will never say it tastes exactly like what you get in the restaurant but we can get the taste pretty darn close. Also, I know you can totally by this stuff in the grocery store now but I promise you that this version will taste WAY better.
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Make Ahead And Storage
How to store salad: Chop the lettuce and store in a container or plastic bag with a few paper towels to absorb moisture. Cut/slice other vegetables and store in containers. Make the dressing and store separately. Salad ingredients store separately will remain fresh for 2-3 days. Stored together, serve within 12 hours. For more tips, check out How to Store Fresh Produce and How to Wash and Store Lettuce.
How to store dressing: Dressing should also be kept in the refrigerator. Store in a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid and it should remain fresh for up to 2 weeks.
What To Serve With This Recipe
- Remake an Olive garden in your house by serving this salad with soup and breadsticks. Unlimited refills optional.
- This Italian Olive Garden salad also goes great with Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Tortellini Soup, Pasta e Fagioli Soup, and Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup.
- Olive Garden Salad is a great salad to make in the summer when youre grilling chicken, pork, or beef, too.
- Or, make this salad a meal all on its own by adding grilled or shredded chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for some added protein.
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What To Serve With This Og Clone Salad Recipe
The Olive Garden restaurant chain has roots in Italian cuisine, with many pasta entrees and Italian soups on the menu. For that reason, this salad is a great match for Italian recipes of all kinds, including those pictured above. It would also make a great complement to:
- Minestrone Soup keep things plant-based with this soup and salad combo
- Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Kielbasa and Vegetables this tart salad pairs great with the richness of our sheet-pan kielbasa recipe
- Italian Turkey Zucchini Meatballs pair these oven-baked meatballs with Olive Garden Salad for a fresh and well-balanced meal