Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe
Olive Garden Salad is a favorite restaurant salad because of its tangy dressing with a bowl full of crisp lettuce and fresh vegetables and those pepperoncini and black olives tossed in.
Olive Garden won us all over with their endless salad bowl and those tender breadsticks. Use my copycat Olive Garden salad recipe to create your own Italian dinner night at home.
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Copycat Olive Garden Salad Ingredients
- 4 to 6 cups chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce
- 1 small red onion, sliced thin
- 2 to 3 Roma tomatoes, sliced
- 8 whole pepperoncini, drained
- ⅓ cup pitted black olives
- ½ cup croutons
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Substitutions
Use Grape or Cherry tomatoes instead of Roma if you like.
You can use a bagged salad mix from the produce department to make this Olive Garden Italian Salad recipe.
Store-bought croutons are good but this Homemade Cornbread Croutons Recipe is even better.
If you prefer, you can buy Olive Garden Salad Dressing at most grocery stores.
Directions for making the salad
Step 1
In a large serving bowl, layer the lettuce, sliced red onion, tomatoes, black olives, and croutons.
Note: Save a few croutons to go on top.
Step 2
Toss to mix. Then place the pepperoncini on top. Sprinkle the fresh parmesan cheese on top and serve.
Copycat Olive Garden Dressing Ingredients
Serve your Olive Garden Salad with copycat Olive Garden Dressing using this simple tangy recipe.
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Directions for salad dressing
Step 1
Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth. If you do not have a food processor, place all of the ingredients into a large Mason jar. Close the lid and shake, shake, shake.
Refrigerate until needed. If the dressing separates, just shake it prior to serving. Keep refrigerated.
Crispy lettuce tossed with fresh vegetables and a creamy homemade Italian zesty dressing will make this easy salad recipe one to repeat for your family dinners.
Create your own Italian dinner night at home with any of the recipes below paired with your copycat Olive Garden Salad and copycat Olive Garden dressing recipe. You can even set the table pretty and make it a romantic date night at home.
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups Iceberg or Romaine lettuce
- 1 small Red Onion
- 8 whole Pepperoncini
- 1/3 cup Black olives, pitted
- 1/2 cup Croutons
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Copycat Olive Garden Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup Red wine vinegar
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 Tbsp. Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 1/2 tsp, Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp. Garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. Salt
- 2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese, grated
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl, layer the lettuce, sliced red onion, tomatoes, black olives, and croutons. (Save a few croutons to go on top)
- Toss to mix. Then place the pepperoncini on top. Sprinkle the fresh parmesan cheese on top and serve.
Copycat Olive Garden Dressing Directions
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth. If you do not have a food processor, place all of the ingredients into a large Mason jar. Close the lid and shake, shake, shake.
- Refrigerate until needed. If the dressing separates, just shake it prior to serving. Keep refrigerated.
Can this Italian Salad be made ahead?
Yes, but there are a couple of caviats.
- Do not add the croutons until you are ready to serve the salad. They will become soft and soggy if you do.
- Do not add the dressing until you are ready to serve the salad to keep this meal fresh.
- I would not make this salad more than a couple of hours ahead so the fresh vegetables will still be fresh and firm and crisp.
Recipes to serve with your Olive Garden Salad
Create your own romantic date night at home with an Italian meal using these recipes for tasty pasta dishes, creamy soup and this Italian salad recipe.
My Chicken Parmigiana recipe, aka Chicken Parm, is made from scratch, browned then baked with your favorite rich tomato sauce, and served on a bed of spaghetti noodles.
An easy homemade Chicken Marsala recipe that is ready to eat in under one hour. Stovetop recipe.
This recipe for Chicken Saltimbocca with Prosciutto is made in a skillet on top of the stove so it’s ready to eat in less time.
My Easy Classic Lasagna recipe has only 7 ingredients. This comfort food casserole is perfect to pair with a salad for a nice dinner at home.
A classic Minestone soup recipe adapted with white beans and quinoa instead of rice or pasta to compliment the fresh vegetables. Gluten-free made from scratch goodness.
Tortellini Sausage soup with spinach Instant Pot recipe is a good starter for your Italian dinner night at home.
This Crockpot Pierogi recipe with Meatballs and Alfredo sauce is super easy to toss together for a weeknight meal. Ready in 2 to 3 hours on low or 4 to 6 hours on high in your Slow Cooker.
This recipe for Crockpot Stuffed Manicotti consists of pasta shells stuffed with a yummy blend of three kinds of cheese smothered in a savory meat sauce and simmered to perfection.
