If you ever crave that irresistibly crunchy, zesty salad from Olive Garden, you’ll absolutely adore this Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing. It’s fresh, vibrant, and packed with all the Italian-American flavors you love—and I guarantee, the homemade dressing takes it to the next level!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-Worthy Flavor at Home: You get all the taste of your favorite Olive Garden salad without ever leaving your kitchen.
- Customizable to the Core: It’s so simple to tweak this salad to fit your preferences—make it vegetarian, add extra veggies, or kick up the spice!
- Lightning-Fast to Prepare: From prep to table in just 20 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights or family get-togethers.
- That Famous Creamy-Tangy Dressing: The homemade Italian dressing is magic—creamy, vibrant, and wildly addictive thanks to fresh garlic and seasoning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Everything in this Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing has a role to play—from crisp iceberg lettuce to tangy pepperoncini and bold black olives, each ingredient brings texture, color, or a signature flavor pop. Here’s the lineup that creates that classic salad we all crave!
- Iceberg Lettuce (6 cups, chopped): The foundation of the salad, chosen for its signature crunch and refreshing bite.
- Pepperoncini Peppers (6 whole): These bring just the right amount of zip and tanginess—don’t skip them for the true Olive Garden vibe!
- Roma Tomatoes (4 medium, sliced): Firm yet juicy, they add bright color and a fresh, sweet flavor to the mix.
- Whole Pitted Black Olives (1 cup): Earthy and a little briny, these give a punchy Italian flair in every forkful.
- Red Onion (1 cup, thinly sliced): For sharpness, color, and a light crunch.
- Seasoned Croutons (1 cup): Irresistibly crunchy and buttery—they soak up the dressing and add texture to every bite.
- Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese (¼ cup): Adds nutty, salty depth; always grate it fresh for best flavor!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (⅔ cup): The backbone of the creamy homemade dressing; choose a good quality for extra richness.
- White Wine Vinegar (⅓ cup): Delivers tanginess and brightness for that signature zesty dressing.
- Water (3 tbsp): Helps the dressing consistency become pourable and blend smoothly.
- Mayonnaise (2 tbsp): Adds creaminess and body, turning the vinaigrette into a dreamy Italian dressing.
- Granulated Sugar (1 tbsp): Just a touch balances out all the acidity and brings harmony to the flavors.
- Fresh Minced Garlic (2 tsp): For that garlicky punch; fresh is best!
- Lemon Juice (2 tsp): Lifts everything with its fresh, zippy edge.
- Italian Seasoning (1½ tsp): An essential blend of herbs that makes the dressing distinctly Italian.
- Kosher Salt (½ tsp): Brings all the flavors into focus.
- Fresh Cracked Black Pepper (½ tsp): A little bit of spice and warmth.
- Red Pepper Flakes (¼ tsp): Optional, but they give that gentle, lingering heat that will keep you coming back for another bite.
Variations
This Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing is your canvas for creativity! It’s perfectly adaptable, so have fun making swaps and tweaks to match your cravings, dietary needs, or whatever is lurking in your veggie drawer.
- Add Grilled Chicken or Shrimp: Transform it into a protein-packed main dish by topping with juicy grilled chicken or garlicky shrimp.
- Make It Dairy-Free: Use vegan parmesan or simply leave out the cheese for a dairy-free version—just as tasty!
- Swap the Lettuce: Try half romaine or even a spring mix for a different texture and flavor profile.
- Adjust the Spice: Love heat? Toss in a few extra red pepper flakes or sliced fresh jalapeños for an extra kick.
- Play with Olives: Swap black olives with sliced green olives for a brinier, slightly sharper flavor.
How to Make Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing
Step 1: Layer the Salad Base
Start by grabbing your largest, prettiest salad bowl and layer half of the iceberg lettuce as the foundation. Scatter on half the black olives, red onion, Roma tomatoes, and croutons. This double-layer approach ensures every single serving gets a little bit of everything!
Step 2: Add the Final Salad Toppings
Repeat with the rest of your lettuce, olives, red onion, tomatoes, and those addictive croutons. Artfully arrange the pepperoncini peppers right on top, then finish with a generous dusting of freshly grated parmesan. Set aside while you prep the dressing.
Step 3: Make the Homemade Dressing
In a mason jar (or a small bowl), combine extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, water, mayonnaise, sugar, garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. If using a mason jar, just screw on the lid and shake like crazy until creamy and smooth. If you’re whisking by hand, keep mixing until thoroughly blended—it should be slightly thick and cohesive.
Step 4: Dress and Serve
Pour the homemade dressing all over your salad right before serving. Toss gently (or let everyone add their own dressing at the table), making sure every leaf and crouton gets a savory, garlicky coating. Serve immediately and enjoy those classic Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing flavors in every bite!
Pro Tips for Making Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing
- Crisp Lettuce Every Time: If you have time, soak chopped lettuce in ice-cold water for 10 minutes, then spin dry—this gives you ultra-crunchy greens worthy of any restaurant!
- Best Flavor, Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic truly sets the homemade dressing apart—pre-minced in a jar just won’t have quite the same zing.
- Croutons on the Side for Crunch Lovers: If you like your croutons extra crispy, offer them on the side so they stay crunchy right till the last bite.
- Shake, Shake, Shake That Dressing: Use a mason jar to emulsify the dressing ingredients quickly and ensure it’s thick, creamy, and blended perfectly—plus, it’s easy to store extras this way!
How to Serve Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing
Garnishes
For a little extra flair, try sprinkling more freshly grated parmesan or a dusting of Italian herbs right before serving. Or, top with a couple of extra pepperoncinis for a colorful, spicy finish—so easy, but it feels like a special touch!
Side Dishes
This salad is famously versatile! It’s the perfect crowd-pleaser starter before any Italian dish, like chicken parmesan, baked ziti, or lasagna. And you can’t go wrong serving it with a big basket of garlic breadsticks (for that full Olive Garden experience, of course!).
Creative Ways to Present
Create a salad bar by arranging each ingredient in bowls, letting everyone build their own personalized Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing. Or, serve it in chilled individual bowls for a beautiful starter at dinner parties—drizzle each with that golden dressing right at the table for wow factor!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover salad (what a treat!), store the veggies and dressing separately in airtight containers. Once the dressing goes on, the lettuce and croutons can lose their crunch quickly, so keep things crisp by tossing them together just before eating.
Freezing
It’s best not to freeze this salad: lettuce, tomatoes, and onions don’t thaw well—trust me! The homemade dressing, though, will keep in the fridge for up to a week, so you can whip up a fresh salad anytime you want.
Reheating
Good news: there’s nothing to reheat here! This Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing is meant to be enjoyed crisp and fresh straight from the fridge. If your croutons have softened, simply refresh with a few new ones for crunch.
FAQs
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Can I make the homemade dressing in advance?
Absolutely! The dressing can be made up to a week ahead. Store it in a tightly sealed jar in the fridge, and give it a good shake before using. Homemade is always best when it’s fresh.
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What can I use instead of iceberg lettuce?
Romaine makes a lovely substitute or blend, adding extra crunch and flavor. Mixed greens or butter lettuce also work, depending on your texture and color preference.
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Is the Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing gluten-free?
The basic salad and homemade dressing are naturally gluten-free, but watch out for store-bought croutons, which often contain gluten. Swap for gluten-free croutons or homemade ones, and you’re all set!
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Can I leave out the mayonnaise in the salad dressing?
The mayo gives the dressing its signature creamy texture. If you need to avoid it, you can use Greek yogurt or leave it out entirely for a lighter, more vinaigrette-style dressing—it’ll taste a little different but still delicious!
Final Thoughts
This Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Homemade Dressing is truly a celebration of classic Italian-American flavors—fresh, bright, and undeniably crave-worthy. If you love a salad that’s equal parts simple and showstopping, give this a try. Your dinner table is about to become everyone’s new favorite spot!
Print
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy the flavors of the famous Olive Garden salad with this easy copycat recipe. Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, tangy olives, and a flavorful dressing come together for a refreshing dish.
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
- 6 whole pepperoncini peppers
- 4 medium firm Roma tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup whole pitted black olives, drained
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup seasoned croutons
- 1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp fresh minced garlic
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Layer the Salad: In a large serving bowl, layer half of the chopped lettuce, olives, red onion, tomatoes, and croutons. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Top with pepperoncini peppers and parmesan.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl or jar, combine olive oil, vinegar, water, mayonnaise, sugar, garlic, lemon juice, seasonings, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Whisk or shake to combine.
- Finish and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 530mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 3mg
