Olive Garden’s famous creamy, zesty dressing and colorful salad have been a fan-favorite for decades. Fortunately for everyone who adores this vibrant crowd-pleasing appetizer, whipping up copycat Olive Garden salad dressing is virtually effortless.
Chock-full of a gorgeous rainbow of vegetables tossed with crunchy lettuce, Parmesan and croutons, it’s one of those side salad recipes we turn to time and again. And that’s before we get to that iconic Olive Garden salad dressing! This is a fantastic last-minute side dish you can throw together in under 20 minutes. Serve it with cozy weeknight Italian fare or cookout classics. You can even double (or triple) the recipe to feed a crowd at your next potluck party.
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- Lettuce: Of all the common lettuce varieties, romaine may just be the most juicy and refreshing, and it’s robust enough not to get lost in the other ingredients.
- Vegetables: Red onions are simply a superior salad onion. They have a pungent bite, and tempered and satisfying crunch that brings so much to a salad. A few ripe plum tomatoes and shredded carrots add a lovely sweetness to the salad, and black olives sprinkle in a little briny saltiness.
- Parmesan: This is a bold, hard cheese that elevates all your favorite Italian recipes. Sharp, nutty, savory and salty, the funk of Parmesan helps tie all the salad components together.
- Croutons: Croutons add so much texture to a salad. Use regular or seasoned croutons.
- Pepperoncini: These tangy pickled peppers have a barely-there spiciness to them—they’re dramatically milder than the likes of jalapenos but pack just as much flavor.
Dressing Ingredients
- Olive oil: Use good quality extra virgin olive oil as a dressing base. You’ll taste the difference.
- Vinegar: While white vinegar is the standard for this copycat Olive Garden dressing, apple cider, champagne, balsamic and red wine vinegar are easy alternatives.
- Mayonnaise: A bit of mayo adds decadence to this dressing, giving it a rich, creamy texture.
- Mustard: Dijon mustard has a spicy, piquant bite that makes it a favorite for all sorts of recipes— including many homemade salad dressings.
- Italian dressing mix: This flavor booster is an herb and spice blend featuring a line-up of Mediterranean herbs like parsley, oregano and basil, mixed with celery salt, onion and garlic powder. There’s usually added sugar in there too.
- Sugar: A 1/2 teaspoon of sugar gives this dressing the perfect hint of sweetness to complement the savory, tangy elements in the salad.
- Seasonings: Salt and fresh cracked black pepper are a welcome addition to any salad, but a little garlic powder takes things to the next level.
Directions
Step 1: Combine the salad ingredients
Place the romaine lettuce, tomatoes, olives, croutons, onion, Parmesan, carrot and pepperoncini in a large salad bowl.
Step 2: Prepare the salad dressing
In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, water, vinegar, mayonnaise, Italian dressing mix, mustard, sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper to combine. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well, until the leaves are coated.
Editor’s Tip: Garnish with additional Parmesan and cracked black pepper for that restaurant-quality finishing touch.
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Variations
- Add a protein: Transform your salad from a light side to a hearty main meal by adding baked shrimp, grilled tofu, turkey bacon, grilled chicken or air-fryer steak.
- Swap out the mayo: Use sour cream to make a tangier Olive Garden salad dressing or substitute the mayo for Greek yogurt for a lower-calorie, high-protein option. Miracle Whip gives the dressing a sweeter flavor, so if you go with that option, you may want to skip extra sugar.
- Try different types of cheese: Folks partial to mild cheeses should add fresh mozzarella, goat cheese or ricotta to their salad. If you prefer your cheese big, bold and ripe, crumbled blue cheese is a game changer.
- Add more vegetables: Sliced bell peppers, cucumber, paper-thin radish wheels, cabbage and asparagus are a few veggies that make phenomenal additions to this salad. No need to stick with raw veggies either—grilled zucchini, roasted peppers or eggplant are delicious.
How to Store Copycat Olive Garden Dressing
Keep leftover dressing in a clean jar or bottle and stow it in the fridge for up to five days. Most salads taste best when eaten within an hour or two of assembly.
If you have leftover salad or want to cut down on salad prep, store the salad components separately: Croutons in one container, lettuce in a second and veggies in another. For the best flavor and texture, enjoy the salad within a day.
Copycat Olive Garden Dressings Tips
How else can you make copycat Olive Garden dressing?
Play around with different ingredients to make your own version of this popular dressing. Experiment with various types of vinegar or substitute the mayonnaise. Cut down the sugar or swap it for an alternative sweetener like honey or agave nectar.
How else can you use copycat Olive Garden dressing?
Olive Garden Italian dressing isn’t just for traditional salads. Use it to jazz up pasta salads or grab your basting brush and dab dressing on chicken the next time you’re grilling. It doubles up as a glorious marinade that tenderizes as it infuses with flavor, and you can use it as a dip for crudités.
What can you serve with copycat Olive Garden salad?
While you can serve this side with most recipes, Italian dishes and all things Olive Garden-inspired are the first pick when deciding what to serve with this salad. Pair it with copycat Olive Garden soups and breadsticks for a light bite. For heartier meals, it’s a delicious side with fettuccine Alfredo, carbonara and chicken parmigiana.
