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Olive Garden Salad Recipe with Homemade Dressing

This copycat Olive Garden salad recipe brings the restaurant favorite right to your kitchen. It is made with crisp lettuce, fresh vegetables, tangy pepperoncini, black olives, crunchy croutons, parmesan cheese, and a creamy homemade Olive Garden-style dressing that ties everything together.

Overhead view of a salad filled with lettuce, peppers, onions, black olives, parmesan cheese, and croutons.

Table of Contents

My Version Of Olive Garden’s Salad

Olive Garden salad is one of the most recognizable restaurant side dishes, and for good reason. It is simple, refreshing, flavorful, and easy to pair with almost any Italian-inspired meal. This homemade version keeps everything people love about the original: cold crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, briny black olives, sharp red onion, zesty pepperoncini, crunchy croutons, parmesan cheese, and that creamy Italian dressing.

The best part about making this copycat Olive Garden salad recipe at home is that it comes together in minutes. There is no complicated prep, no cooking, and no special technique required. You simply combine the salad ingredients, whisk the dressing, toss everything together, and serve it fresh.

This salad works beautifully as a starter, a quick lunch, or a side dish for dinner. It is especially great when you want something crisp and bright to balance a richer main course. The homemade dressing is creamy, tangy, and savory, and it gives the salad that familiar restaurant-style flavor without much effort.

If you enjoy copycat restaurant recipes, this Olive Garden salad with homemade dressing is a dependable recipe to keep on hand. It tastes fresh, looks colorful on the table, and is easy to adjust based on what you already have in your kitchen.

A large bowl of salad filled with lettuce, peppers, onions, black olives, parmesan cheese, and croutons. A set of tongs is set on the side of the bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It is quick and easy. This salad takes about 10 minutes from start to finish. The dressing is whisked together in a bowl, and the salad ingredients only need to be combined and tossed.

It tastes like the restaurant favorite. The mix of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, pepperoncini, croutons, parmesan, and creamy Italian dressing gives this salad the classic Olive Garden-style flavor.

It is great for any occasion. Serve it as a light lunch, a side dish with dinner, or a simple starter when you are hosting family or friends.

It is easy to customize. You can use your favorite lettuce blend, change the tomatoes, add extra cheese, or include grilled chicken or shrimp to make it more filling.

A set of tongs holding a serving of salad above a large bowl of salad.

Ingredients

Here is what you will need for the salad:

  • Garden salad mix: Any lettuce blend you enjoy will work well.
  • Sliced Roma tomatoes: They add freshness, color, and juicy flavor.
  • Pepperoncini: A key ingredient that gives the salad its tangy bite.
  • Sliced red onion: Thin slices add sharp flavor and crunch.
  • Black olives: These add a mild briny flavor.
  • Croutons: Use your favorite kind for extra crunch.
  • Parmesan cheese: Freshly grated parmesan gives the salad a savory finish.

For the homemade Olive Garden-style dressing, you will need:

  • Italian dressing mix: One packet adds the main seasoning base.
  • Olive oil: This helps create a smooth dressing.
  • White vinegar: It adds brightness and tang.
  • Water: This thins the dressing to the right consistency.
  • Mayonnaise: A small amount makes the dressing creamy and rich.

Overhead view of an assortment of ingredients including bowls of lettuce mix, croutons, sliced red onions, black olives, peppers, mayonnaise, a piece of parmesan cheese, sliced tomatoes on a cutting board, and a jar of oil.

How To Make Olive Garden Salad

1. Assemble the salad: Add the garden salad mix, sliced Roma tomatoes, pepperoncini, sliced red onion, black olives, croutons, and parmesan cheese to a large serving bowl. Toss lightly so the ingredients are evenly distributed.

A large white bowl filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, grated parmesan cheese and a set of tongs.

2. Prepare the dressing: In a separate bowl, combine the Italian dressing mix, olive oil, white vinegar, water, and mayonnaise. Whisk until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and fully combined.

A clear bowl filled with creamy Italian dressing and a spoon.

3. Toss and serve: Pour the homemade dressing over the salad. Toss until the lettuce and vegetables are lightly coated. Serve immediately for the freshest texture and best flavor.

Overhead view of a salad filled with lettuce, peppers, onions, black olives, parmesan cheese, and croutons.

My Pro Tips To Make The Best Recipe

  • Add grilled chicken or shrimp if you want to turn this salad into a more filling meal.
  • Use romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, or a garden salad blend depending on your preference.
  • Swap Roma tomatoes for cherry tomatoes or any tomatoes you already have.
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the dressing if you want a brighter flavor.
  • Serve with extra parmesan cheese on top, or use your favorite shredded cheese.
  • For the best texture, wait to add the dressing until just before serving.

A large bowl of salad filled with lettuce, peppers, onions, black olives, parmesan cheese, and croutons.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store leftover Olive Garden salad?

Yes, but this salad is best enjoyed fresh. If you need to store leftovers, keep the salad and dressing separate whenever possible. Place the undressed salad in an airtight container with a paper towel and refrigerate it for up to 5 days. Store the dressing in a separate airtight container for up to 4 days. When you are ready to eat, toss the salad with the dressing just before serving.

What is Olive Garden Salad made of?

Olive Garden-style salad is made with lettuce greens, thinly sliced red onion, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, chopped tomatoes, croutons, grated parmesan cheese, and a creamy Italian dressing.

Does Olive Garden salad contain romaine lettuce?

Yes, the restaurant salad uses a mix that includes iceberg lettuce and romaine. For this copycat recipe, you can use romaine, iceberg, garden salad mix, or any lettuce blend you like.

More Copycat Olive Garden Recipes To Try Next

  • Olive Garden chicken alfredo
  • Olive Garden chicken parmigiana
  • Olive Garden cheese ravioli
  • Olive Garden five cheese ziti al forno
  • Olive Garden tiramisu
Yield: 6 servings

Olive Garden Salad Recipe (+ Best Homemade Dressing)

Overhead view of a salad filled with lettuce, peppers, onions, black olives, parmesan cheese, and croutons.

This copycat Olive Garden salad recipe is fresh, crisp, and full of restaurant-style flavor. It combines lettuce, tomatoes, pepperoncini, red onion, black olives, croutons, parmesan cheese, and a creamy homemade dressing.

Prep Time
10 minutes
Total Time
10 minutes

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 bag (24 oz.) garden salad mix
  • 3 medium Roma tomatoes, sliced
  • 1 cup pepperoncini
  • 1 small red onion, sliced
  • 1 cup large black olives
  • 1 cup croutons
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese

Homemade Olive Garden Dressing

  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • ⅓ cup white vinegar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tbsp. mayonnaise

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, combine the garden salad mix, sliced tomatoes, pepperoncini, red onion, black olives, croutons, and parmesan cheese.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing mix, olive oil, white vinegar, water, and mayonnaise until smooth and fully combined.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss until evenly coated, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1 serving

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 118Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 3g


Cuisine:
Olive Garden

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