Recipe for Copycat Olive Garden Salad and Dressing (So Easy!)
Do you love Olive Garden’s famous house salad? Learn how simple this Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe is to make at home so you can enjoy your favorite flavors without the cost of eating out! Includes a homemade version of Olive Garden Dressing, too.
Click HERE to save this recipe for How to Make a Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Recipe to Pinterest!
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe
A favorite restaurant copycat dish of ours is this recipe for Olive Garden’s 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 wasn’t 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.” That’s 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 children’s menu to the regular menu, and we’re finding out that a meal out can put quite a dent in our finances.
And that’s why we’ve started trying to recreate some of our favorite dining out dishes, like this Copycat Olive Garden Salad, at home.
It’s 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 (croutons are really easy to make and it is a great way to use up leftover bread that has maybe gone slightly stale).
Click HERE to save this recipe for How to Make a Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Recipe to Pinterest!
This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
Olive Garden Salad Ingredients
For the salad itself, you’ll need:
- Bag of salad mix or romaine lettuce and iceberg lettuce mix
- Red Onion Slices
- Black Olives
- Pepperoncini Peppers
- Sliced Roma Tomato or Plum Tomatoes
- Croutons (I like these Garlicky Croutons)
- Grated Parmesan
And for the copycat Olive Garden Dressing Recipe, you’ll need:
- Mayonnaise
- White Wine Vinegar or White Vinegar
- Granulated Sugar
- Lemon Lemon Juice
- Water
- Parmesan Romano Cheese Blend
- Extra-Virgin Olive oil
- Seasoning (Italian seasoning, parsley, garlic flakes)
Click HERE to save this recipe for How to Make a Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Recipe to Pinterest!
How to Make Olive Garden’s Famous Dressing
You’ll first need to make the homemade Olive Garden salad dressing. Simply blend everything up in a blender or food processor. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Then, chill in a fridge for at least two hours before serving. You can even prepare the dressing a day ahead of time. You’ll love this homemade Olive Garden Dressing!
How to Make Olive Gardenβs Salad
After making the dressing, combine the salad mix with all of the other salad ingredients in a large bowl and drizzle with your desired amount of dressing. Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top, garnish with crunchy croutons on top of the salad, and enjoy!
Click HERE to save this recipe for How to Make a Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Recipe to Pinterest!
Tips for Making This Olive Garden Salad Recipe
For a real Olive Garden restaurant-style experience, pick up one of these handheld rotary cheese graters and a big chunk of real, fresh Parmesan cheese.
Though fresh Parmesan is a little more pricey than its shelf-stable counterpart, a little of this cheese will go a long way. And fresh Parmesan lasts quite a while when wrapped well and stored in the refrigerator. It tastes so good on this Italian Salad!
When making the dressing, you must let it chill in the fridge before serving it. This gives the flavors time to come together and actually makes a big difference in the flavor of the Olive Garden dressing!
Note that the dressing recipe listed makes enough for about four big bowls of salad. If you have leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the fridge (it’ll last for about a week). You can use it on other salads, or as a marinade for grilled chicken.
Since you’re purchasing all of the elements of this fan favorite salad yourself when you’re preparing it at home, always look for the freshest ingredients available. Deliciously ripe roma tomatoes will taste so much better than the alternative.
For a fresh salad, assemble this side dish just before serving or serve the homemade Olive Garden salad dressing on the side.
Click HERE to save this recipe for How to Make a Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad Recipe to Pinterest!
What to Serve with this Copycat Recipe for Olive Garden Salad
Wondering what you should serve with your Olive Garden Salad Recipe? Any of your favorite Italian Recipes would be great, but here are some of my main entree suggestions for a delicious meal:
If you’re a fan of Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana, you may want to try this creamy and rich Italian Sausage and Kale Soup (known as Zuppa Toscana) to serve alongside your Olive Garden Salad. It is one of my favorite soup recipes!
This Italian Beef Ragu with Pappardelle would also pair nicely with Olive Garden’s famous house salad. The rich meat sauce complements the tangy dressing perfectly!
This recipe for Alfredo Pasta is another popular recipe to serve alongside this Olive Garden Copycat Salad.
For an even easier main dish, make this One Skillet Baked Ziti. It comes together in 30 minutes and would go well with this Olive Garden salad.
Add a few slices of this savory rustic homemade bread for a delicious comforting Italian dinner at home for a fraction of the cost of eating out. This bread recipe also makes great garlic bread!
What is your favorite restaurant dish recipe to recreate at home?
Love this recipe for Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad?
Sign up for Good Life Eats email updates and never miss another recipe!
Copycat Olive Garden Salad
Do you love Olive Garden's Salad? Learn how simple it is to make it at home so you can enjoy your favorite flavors without the cost of eating out!
Ingredients
For the Olive Garden Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2/3 cup white vinegar
- 5 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2/3 cup parmesan romano cheese blend
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
For the Olive Garden Salad:
- 1 bag salad blend of your choice
- sliced red onion
- black olives
- pepperoncini
- sliced Roma tomato
- croutons
- freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Make the Olive Garden Dressing
- Combine the mayonnaise, white vinegar, granulated sugar, lemon juice water, parmesan romano cheese blend, olive oil, Italian seasoning, parsley flakes, and garlic salt in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Season to taste with additional salt and black pepper, if desired.
- Chill for at least two hours before serving.
Make the Olive Garden Salad Recipe
- Combine the lettuce, sliced onion, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, roma tomatoes, and croutons in a large salad bowl.
- Toss to distribute the ingredients.
- Pour on desired amount of dressing and mix right before serving.
- Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese.
Notes
Note that the dressing recipe listed makes enough for about four big bowls of salad. If you have leftovers, store it in an airtight container in the fridge (it'll last for about a week). You can use it on other salads, or as a marinade for chicken.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 134Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 285mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Try this Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home!
Next time you’re craving Olive Garden’s 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 that’s easy to prepare!
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me with @goodlifeeats and #goodlifeeatsrecipes. Iβd 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.
Favorite Pasta Night Recipes
Roasted Tomato Crostini with Walnut Almond Pesto and Goat Cheese
Take advantage of summer's colorful and delicious produce and make this Roasted Tomato Crostini with Walnut Almond Pesto and Goat Cheese. Crostini is a great summer appetizer to serve while sitting out on the patio in the evening.
Italian Mixed Greens Salad with Prosciutto and Lemon Dijion Vinaigrette
This is the perfect salad to pair with homemade pizza night! A mix of arugula, radicchio and baby kale is tossed with a simple lemon Dijon vinaigrette and topped with crispy prosciutto and fresh shaved parmesan.
Copy Cat Olive Garden Salad and Dressing Recipe
Do you love Olive Garden's Salad? Learn how simple it is to make it at home so you can enjoy your favorite flavors without the cost of eating out!
Best Ever Homemade Classic Marinara Sauce
This Best Ever Homemade Classic Marinara Sauce is the real deal and the only Marinara Sauce you'll want to use from now on! Crushed tomatoes simmer all day with extra-virgin olive oil, oregano, crushed red pepper, plenty of garlic, and a generous helping of Italian red wine for an incredibly rich, but delightfully simple, sauce.
Arrabbiata Sauce
A simple, just-spicy-enough arrabbiata sauce you can make from pantry ingredients. Serve it with anything β chicken, sausages, pasta, even your morning eggs!
Easy One Skillet Baked Ziti
Easy One Skillet Baked Ziti is the perfect, easy comforting pasta dish - and baking it in a single skillet makes for quick preparation and very minimal clean up. Perfect for a weeknight dinner!
Chicken Parmesan with Sundried Tomato Sauce
Our very favorite recipe for Chicken Parmesan. Make a double batch of the sauce and freeze some for later!
Pasta Alfredo with Broccoli and Mushrooms
This Alfredo sauce is a tad lightened up but every bit as rich and creamy. We use whatever pasta we have on hand and love serving it with broccoli and mushrooms.
Italian Chicken, Mushroom, and Zucchini Skillet
Italian Chicken, Mushroom, and Zucchini Skillet is a super easy dinner recipe for busy school nights. It features pan seared chicken tenderloins, zucchini and sliced mushrooms in garlicky herbed tomato sauce.
Leigh Johnson says
I made this to take to Christmas dinner and it was a hit! My only mistake was doubling the dressing and there was a bit too much of it. The next time I would probably double the lettuce but not the dressing.
Denise King says
What kind of Olives do they use?Β
Katie Goodman says
regular black olives
Sandy says
Made this tonight. Halved the recipe as I don’t often use the same dressing more than twice. This one I will. It was very good. I also thinly sliced chicken brcipe. Season with Greek seasoning and grilled. Sliced and served over top. Everybody ate it and thought it was delicious, even the kids. I didn’t have any croutons though. Will have to try again with them. Thanks so much for recipe.
Katie Goodman says
So glad you liked it! Thanks for stopping by to tell us. π
Beth Gabhart says
I use this salad dressing for all of my salads. My family of 5 goes through a batch within 4 days. Definitely try this recipe! WARNING: one huge bowl of salad needs like 1/4 cup of dressing. It is very easy to over-dress the salad!
Pat Germal says
That was the best salad ever! thank you so much!
Karen says
Thank you for this recipe – I cannot wait to try it using all organic ingredients. I love Olive Garden dressing, but dislike the preservatives, the GMO high-fructose corn syrup and fake colorings. Going to try this!!
Natalie says
So good I made it two days in a row! I made it vegan by using sunflower mayonnaise and vegan parmesan and it was like the real thing I tell ya! Not sure what I did differently, but my dressing was not watery at all, I even ended up adding a bit of water to it. If there was ever a reason to buy a whole jar of pepperoncini, this is it. Thanks very much!
maroonmango says
Hi there thanks for this recipe, will be giving it a go tonight as we are a little sick of our usual italian salad. For those of you saying it is too watery try adding a 1/4 tsp or so of xanthan gum to it (I always have it around due to being gluten free) it is a thickening agent used in a lot of store bought sauces and dressings, it won’t add flavour like overdoing it with mayo or other things.
Bonnie says
The overall dressing is delicious, but as someone else commented, it was way too watery. I added about 1 more cup of mayo, and it was a much better consistency.
shirley says
Hi Ijust read your recipe and hope to make it tonight,Thank you ahead of time.
aswathi says
hai i loved ur recipie. This was the one i was looking for the past 1 year. I just want to know which is the best lettuce to buy for this salad. Im not interested in salad bags. can u please help me.
Lainie says
Romaine lettuce.
Elle says
OG uses Iceberg.
Kristen says
Does anyone know what parmesano and romano cheese blend to buy because i am not quite sure???
Lizz says
I bought the Homestyle 100% natural parmasean and romano (aged over 5mo.ths) it tastes pretty good.
Dennis says
Sorry, but I tried this recipe the other night with high expectations. Not even close to Olive Garden’s Italian salad dressing. Way too watery.
Christine says
My daughter is the pickiest eater. I thought for sure
No matter what recipe I tried she would hate it.
Well, I was proudly wrong. This is a great
Recipe. Thank you so much for posting this
Kay says
Before I make this wanted to know if you drain the pepperoncini when you toss it in the salad?
Tara Kuczykowski says
Yes, I would drain the juice off before putting them in the salad, but you don’t necessarily need to slice each one individually to drain out any juice inside them.
Erinn says
Wow! Thanks for the recipe! My friends and I are having dinner tonight, and we all wanted Olive Garden, but we’re all BROKE! So instead, we decided to make it all at my house and imitate it. Cannot wait to try this out. I’ll reply again with my results π
Arielle says
Just made this, thanks for posting! I think it has a little bit too much sugar for my taste and not enough seasonings and cheese but it was a really good place to start
Pamela says
We actually do not use any parmesan cheese on the salads. Fresh romano cheese is what is in the cheese graters.
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com says
This salad looks delicious! Pinned!
Shoba Shrinivasan says
Wow,
Neer thought of it as ” The Grape Place”…such a cute expression! Lovely recipe and I should really try it sometime. Would take out tonnes of sodium in the restaurant version definitely!
Shobha
Erin D. says
“The grape place.” I love it. π I don’t think I’ve actually ever been to Olive Garden, which is really weird. I’m not a big fan of salad or vegetables (actually, they’re my least favorite food!) but my husband LOVES salad but rarely makes it. I’m definitely going to try this out. Thanks!
Carla @ Carlas Confections says
I love that! Cant wait to try it myself π
Rachel @ painfreekitchen says
Thank you for this post. The salad and the breadsticks are hands down two of my favorite things to eat (and unfortunately not so good for you). I’m gluten and dairy free, so will need to do a little tweaking, but I have a feeling this will allow me to get as close to the real thing as possible π