Olive Garden Salad Dressing
This homemade copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing tastes just like the restaurant version. Learn how to make this salad at home for your family and friends!
Love Olive Garden Copycat Recipes? Try my Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce Recipe next!
I definitely like Olive Garden’s salad more than anyone else on the planet. I really do. Although you can buy their salad dressing online or in stores, it’s easy/inexpensive to make your own!
Be sure to pair your dressing with the classic salad ingredients that Olive Garden uses! ⬇️
Olive Garden Salad Ingredients
- Fresh Iceberg Lettuce
- Vine Ripened Tomatoes
- Large Black olives
- Red onions
- Pepperoncini’s– Jarred and are found in the same section as the pickles/olives
- Croutons-You can actually purchase Olive Garden’s Croutons, OR make my homemade crouton recipe!)
- Parmesan cheese
Pro Tips
- Be sure to use a high quality olive oil that is made for salads and marinades. It should indicate this right on the front label. I use Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. (I prefer smooth over robust.)
- Using a mini food processor makes it much easier to emulsify this dressing, which thickens in a bit and ensures it doesn’t separate.
- If your dressing separates, simply shake it prior to serving.
- If your olive oil solidifies during storage: Let it sit at room temperature until it liquifies, then shake to combine and serve. It may also become cloudy but is still safe. This may or may not happen, it depends on the type of olive oil used.
Storing Leftover Salad
- Refrigerate prepared salad as soon as possible in an airtight container, free from as much moisture as possible.
- Refrigerated salad lasts anywhere from 1-3 days, it’s only as good until the least-fresh ingredient in the salad begins to go bad.
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- Mini Food Processor– My favorite tool to easily combine/emulsify salad dressing.
- Salad Dressing Shaker
- Salad Dressing Serving Container (Cruet)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil– Developed for dressings and marinades.
Get My Free E-Book!
- I’ve got a FREE e-Book with 7 super popular dinner recipes! Click here to join my email list and I’ll send your e-Book right over!
- And be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, & Facebook!
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, high-quality olive oil yields much better results in this recipe
- .7 oz Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
- 1/3 cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 Tablespoon Romano, grated. (Optional.)
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons mayo, not miracle whip
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon EACH: Italian seasoning, salt
- ¼ teaspoon EACH: pepper, garlic powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a mini food processor or a jar with a lid and blend/shake thoroughly until combined. Chill until ready to use.
- Be sure to shake before each use.
Notes
- Be sure to use a high quality olive oil that is made for salads and marinades. It should indicate this right on the front label. I use Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil. (I prefer smooth over robust.)
- Using a mini food processor makes it much easier to emulsify this dressing, which thickens in a bit and ensures it doesn't separate.
- If your dressing separates, simply shake it prior to serving.
- If your olive oil solidifies during storage: Let it sit at room temperature until it liquifies, then shake to combine and serve. It may also become cloudy but is still safe. This may or may not happen, it depends on the type of olive oil used.
Nutritional information is an estimate and is per tablespoon there are approximately 22 tablespoons in this recipe.
Can I use apple cider vinegar instead?
Hi Nancy! Yes you can, just note that apple cider vinegar has a slightly sweeter and a more mild flavor compared to white vinegar, which might subtly change the dressing’s taste.
you are right this tastes just like the dressing! thank you.
I’m so happy you love it Edith! Thank you!!