Olive Garden Salad: The Ultimate Homemade Version

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Ever find yourself craving that olive garden salad ? honestly, i do all the time. this recipe nails that tangy italian flavor and crisp texture.

You are going to love this italian salad recipe !

Brief Overview

The olive garden salad is basically an american institution. it is a simple, fresh salad that's super quick to whip up.

It takes about 20 minutes. this recipe yields 6 servings. it is perfect as a starter or side.

Main Benefits

This homemade olive garden salad is healthier than you think. romaine lettuce is packed with vitamins. this is the perfect salad to serve with pasta.

What makes this recipe special? it tastes just like the restaurant's! it's super easy.

Ingredients for Your Restaurant Salad at Home

Right, let's talk ingredients. you'll need both romaine and iceberg lettuce. i reckon good tomatoes and black olives are crucial.

Don't forget the red onion, croutons and pepperoncini! the pepperoncini really add a kick. parmesan, naturally, is essential.

Making the Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe

The dressing is where the magic happens. vegetable oil, white and red wine vinegars, water, parmesan, and sugar. salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and garlic powder are a must.

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you are feeling brave. this tangy italian dressing is the key!

Olive Garden Salad: The Ultimate Homemade Version Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:0

Servings:6 servings

Ingredients:

• 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 3 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup sliced black olives
• ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
• ½ cup croutons
• ¼ cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions:

• Prepare the Dressing: Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a bowl or shake vigorously in a jar. Chill for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
• Prep the Veggies: Wash and chop the romaine and iceberg lettuce. Halve the grape tomatoes, slice the black olives and red onion, and slice the pepperoncini peppers.
• Combine the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and pepperoncini peppers.
• Dress and Toss: Just before serving, pour the chilled dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat evenly.
• Add Croutons and Cheese: Sprinkle croutons and grated Parmesan cheese over the salad. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:250 calories

Fat:20g

Fiber:3g

Recipe Info

Category:Salad

Cuisine:Italian

Ingredients & Equipment for Your Olive Garden Salad

Let's talk about what you'll need to make this amazing Olive Garden salad copycat recipe . Honestly, it's all pretty straightforward. You probably have most of it already!

Main Ingredients: The Salad Foundation

• 6 cups (1.42 Liters) chopped romaine lettuce . Look for bright green, crisp leaves. Avoid anything slimy or wilted. It's a Romaine lettuce salad , so it needs to be on point!
• 3 cups (0.71 Liters) chopped iceberg lettuce. Yep, iceberg! It adds a nice crunch.
• 1 cup (237 ml) grape tomatoes, halved. Get the ripest ones you can find. Flavor is key!
• ½ cup (118 ml) sliced black olives. Canned is fine! Just drain them well.
• ½ cup (118 ml) thinly sliced red onion. I like mine super thin. If you hate the bite, soak them in ice water for 10 minutes !
• ½ cup (118 ml) croutons. Store-bought are easy. Or bake your own!
• ¼ cup (59 ml) pepperoncini peppers, sliced. About 4-5 peppers should do it. Hello, pepperoncini salad !
• ¼ cup (59 ml) grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving. A good quality Parmesan makes all the difference.

Dressing Notes: The Secret Sauce

This is where the magic happens for your Olive Garden salad dressing recipe . The dressing makes or breaks it. It needs that tangy Italian dressing flavor!

• ½ cup (118 ml) vegetable oil.
• ¼ cup (59 ml) white vinegar. Apple cider vinegar works too!
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water.
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) red wine vinegar. This adds a nice depth.
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) grated Parmesan cheese.
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar.
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried oregano.
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) dried basil.
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder.
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt.
• ¼ teaspoon (1.2 ml) black pepper.
• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional). Adds a little kick.

If you want, you can make your own Homemade Olive Garden salad dressing in advance. This gives the flavors a chance to mingle.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

For this Italian salad recipe , you don't need fancy gear!

• Large bowl
• Whisk
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Small bowl or jar for the dressing
• Cutting board
• Knife

You can make this Restaurant salad at home very easily. It's so simple. Don't forget the Olive Garden breadsticks salad on the side.

Cooking Method: Nailing That Olive Garden Salad at Home

Honestly, who doesn't love that olive garden salad ? it's a classic! i've been obsessed with recreating it at home, you know? after a few tries, i think i've finally cracked the code.

It's way easier than you think. we can totally make this restaurant salad at home .

Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Mission

Okay, first things first: let's get organized. It's all about the mise en place , darling. That means getting all your ingredients prepped and ready to go before you start.

• Chop 6 cups of romaine lettuce and 3 cups of iceberg lettuce . Yep, both! The mix is key.
• Halve 1 cup of grape tomatoes . Slice ½ cup of black olives , ½ cup of red onion , and ¼ cup of pepperoncini salad .
• Measure out ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese . Don't skimp on the good stuff. It matters!
• Get your dressing ingredients together, too. This part needs a little chilling time.

Step-by-Step: Salad Assembly

1. Dressing Time: Whisk together ½ cup of vegetable oil , ¼ cup of white vinegar , 2 tablespoons of water , 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar , 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese , 1 tablespoon of sugar , 1 teaspoon of dried oregano , 1 teaspoon of dried basil , ½ teaspoon of garlic powder , ½ teaspoon of salt , ¼ teaspoon of black pepper , and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Chill for at least 30 minutes . Trust me. This step is very important to recreate Olive Garden salad dressing recipe .
2. Veggie Power: Wash and chop all your veggies as described above. Crispy lettuce is a must. Nobody likes a sad, soggy salad.
3. The Big Combine: In a large bowl, gently mix the lettuce, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and pepperoncini.
4. Dress It Up: Right before serving, pour that beautifully chilled dressing over the salad. Toss gently. Don't drown it!
5. Crouton Crunch and Cheese: Sprinkle ½ cup of croutons and that Parmesan cheese over the top. Serve immediately. More cheese on the side is always a win. A lot of people are searching how to do Homemade Olive Garden salad , so it's good to do well.

Pro Tips: Level Up Your Salad Game

• Chill everything! I mean it. Cold ingredients = crispy salad.
• Avoid common mistakes by not overdressing the salad. You can always add more, but you can't take it away.
• You can totally prep the veggies ahead of time. Just store them in the fridge until you're ready to assemble. Make-ahead for the win! You can have this wonderful endless salad recipe very fast.

Honestly, once you nail this italian salad recipe , you'll be making it all the time. it's the perfect side, starter, or even a light meal.

It makes your tangy italian dressing that remembers to the perfect copycat you want of olive garden copycat recipe . enjoy!

Recipe Notes for Your Knock-Out Olive Garden Salad

Alright, so you’re about to dive into making your own homemade olive garden salad . let's chat about some extra tidbits to make this the best italian salad recipe ever .

Honestly, these little things can really elevate your salad game.

Serving Suggestions: It's All About Presentation!

Let's face it; we eat with our eyes first! to really capture that restaurant salad at home vibe, chill your salad bowls before serving.

It keeps everything nice and crisp. for presentation, mound the salad high. then, sprinkle with a generous amount of freshly grated parmesan right before bringing it to the table.

I love to serve this with warm olive garden breadsticks salad , naturally! a crisp glass of pinot grigio? chef's kiss!

Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh!

Got leftovers of the endless salad recipe ? pop the undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge. it'll stay crisp for about a day.

The dressing can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 5 days. honestly? i've had it last longer, but five days is the safe bet.

I would not freeze it. ain't nobody got time for frozen lettuce! when you are ready to serve, toss only what you're going to eat.

Otherwise, your salad will get soggy.

Variations: Make it Your Own

Want to mix things up? if you're feeling fancy, a bit of shredded mozzarella adds a creamy touch. and if you are vegan, just swap out the parmesan for nutritional yeast.

Use a bit of a neutral vegan crouton too. if you are trying to be healthier, consider swapping the iceberg with more romaine.

You can also consider using apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

This olive garden salad is a win-win. it's tasty and packed with nutrients. you're getting vitamins and fiber from the lettuce, tomatoes, and olives.

The dressing does have oil, so keep the portion size in mind if you're watching your calories. if you want to cut more calories, try using olive garden salad dressing recipe to make a light dressing.

But remember, the oil is part of what makes that tangy italian dressing so good!

Honestly, the best part about this olive garden copycat recipe is that it's all about having fun and making it your own.

Don't be afraid to experiment! i promise, you'll be saying "oh my gosh, this is even better than the real thing!" in no time.

Grab some romaine lettuce for a romaine lettuce salad . oh and don't forget the pepperoncini salad !