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. I know that you can buy their salad dressing at the store now, but not all stores carry it- and it’s easy/inexpensive to make your own!
Ingredients for Olive Garden Salad Dressing
- Italian Dressing Mix- Found in packets in the salad dressing aisle.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil- High quality is a must for the best taste and consistency in this recipe.
- White Vinegar
- Sugar
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt/Pepper
- Garlic Powder
- Mayo- Not Miracle Whip
What’s in Their Salad?
- Fresh Iceberg Lettuce
- Vine Ripened Tomatoes
- Large Black olives
- Red onions
- Pepperoncinis– 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
Best Olive Oil for Salad Dressing
-High-quality olive oil isn’t something you want to skimp out on. That goes for cooking in general, but especially when making homemade salad dressings. Poor quality olive oil can cause salad dressings to solidify when refrigerated. It’s just not worth compromising flavor and texture.
–Lucini olive oil is a high-quality brand that I like to use.
–Epicurious has good information on how to tell the difference between real and fake olive oil.
Storing Leftover Salad
- Prepared salad should be refrigerated as soon as possible in an airtight container, free from as much moisture as possible.
- Salad can’t be frozen, lettuce that has been frozen or even chilled at too low of a temperature ruins it’s consistency and freshness. Once that’s happened, it can’t be recovered.
- 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.
Try These Next!
More Olive Garden Copycat Recipes
- Olive Garden Stuffed Chicken Marsala
- Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana Soup
- Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- More
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Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- .7 oz. Italian Dressing Mix
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil,, high-quality olive oil yields much better results in this recipe
- ¼ cup + 2 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Tablespoon mayo,, not miracle whip
Instructions
- Mix everything thoroughly together and refrigerate. That's it!
Video
Notes
- Mixture will settle upon sitting, simply shake before each use.
- This will keep for 4 weeks in the refrigerator.
- 2 Tablespoons = 1 serving
Hi! Would love to make this salad tonight.. Just one question, Whats a good substitute to the Italian Dressing Mix.. Can’t seem to find it where I live. Thank you!
Hi Anna, I’m not sure there is an interchangeable substitute but you could try making your own Italian seasoning mix, here is a good recipe, I hope that helps! -Stephanie
Hi there! What is the Italian dressing mix? Is that a powder or an actual salad dressing?
Hey Amrit! It’s like a powder form, here is a link to what I use.
I found them where the dressings, mayo, etc., are at Walmart
What specifically is the Italian seasoning? Is it oregano and basil? Thanks!
Hi Linda! It’s equal parts dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and marjoram. Enough to make two tablespoons total! I’ll specify that in the post, thanks for asking! -Stephanie
Excellent! Thanks!!!
Could you use avocado oil?
Hi Pamela! I do believe that would be just fine, yes! I haven’t tried it myself but avocado oil is often used in salad dressings so I think you’re good! 🙂 Enjoy!
What type of olive oil do you use?
Lucini is a good brand that you should be able to find at most stores!
One thing I don’t see in this recipe is romano cheese. According to the Olive Garden bottled dressing in the store, it has romano cheese added to the mix. I don’t see that in this recipe.
Just like the real thing! Loved it!
Hi Terri! I’m sooo happy to hear that, WAHOO!! I honestly couldn’t believe it when I made it the first time, it’s SO completely just like the real thing! Thanks for leaving your feedback!
What is considered a “serving” for this recipe?
Two Tablespoons!
I made this recipe and my kids (teenagers) and I loved it!!! I work in a school cafeteria and we make salads to serve. I was asking my boss if we could use this recipe for our salads. She said I need to get there nutrition facts for it. Could you possibly direct me where to find this?
Hi Mary! I am so happy that you love the salad dressing and want to serve it at school! I think everyone would love it! I will work on getting that nutritional information for you, and will let you know soon! Thank you again 🙂
when a recipe says use a good olive oil, which ones are considered good? brands
Hi Debbie! Coroto olive oil is great, here is a link to some info that might help as wel!
http://www.realfoodforlife.com/which-olive-oil-to-buy-the-olive-oil-fraud/