Name: Delicious Olive Garden Salad Recipe You Need to Try
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 cups chopped lettuce; ¼ cup red cabbage, shredded; ¼ cup carrots, julienne; ¼ cup red onion, sliced; ½ cup black olives; 2 roma tomatoes, sliced; 1/3 cup pepperoncinis; 1 cup croutons; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese; ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 (.7 oz.) packet Zesty Italian Dressing Mix; 1/3 cup white vinegar; ¼ cup water; 1 tablespoon grated Romano cheese; 3 teaspoons sugar; 1 ½ teaspoons mayo; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Jump to Recipe

Olive Garden Salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish that brings the essence of Italian dining right to your table. This delightful salad features crisp lettuce, colorful vegetables, tangy pepperoncinis, and a flavorful homemade Zesty Italian dressing, making it a favorite choice among salad lovers. Perfect as a side dish or a light meal, this Olive Garden salad recipe combines fresh ingredients with a zesty, creamy dressing that you can easily recreate at home. Let’s dive into how to make this classic Italian restaurant salad!

Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Salad

There are countless reasons to enjoy this Olive Garden House Salad. Firstly, it’s incredibly easy to prepare, taking just 15 minutes from start to finish. This salad is made with fresh ingredients, ensuring a burst of flavor in every bite. The combination of textures—from crunchy lettuce to soft tomatoes—creates a satisfying experience. Additionally, the Olive Garden salad dressing adds a tangy kick that perfectly complements the vegetables. It’s also versatile; you can easily modify it to include your favorite toppings, making it a great option for everyone. Whether you’re serving it with breadsticks or as a standalone dish, this salad is bound to impress your guests.

Ingredients for Olive Garden Salad

Gather these items:

8 cups chopped lettuce
¼ cup red cabbage, shredded
¼ cup carrots, julienne
¼ cup red onion, sliced
½ cup black olives
2 roma tomatoes, sliced
1/3 cup pepperoncinis
1 cup croutons
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 (.7 oz.) packet Zesty Italian Dressing Mix
1/3 cup white vinegar
¼ cup water
1 tablespoon grated Romano cheese
3 teaspoons sugar
1 ½ teaspoons mayo
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

How to Make Olive Garden Salad Step-by-Step

Step 1: Combine all dressing ingredients—extra virgin olive oil, Zesty Italian Dressing Mix, white vinegar, water, grated Romano cheese, sugar, mayo, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder—in a mini food processor or a jar with a lid. Blend or shake well until emulsified. Cover and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld.
Step 2: Wash and chop the lettuce. Shred the red cabbage and julienne the carrots. Slice the red onion and roma tomatoes. Use a paper towel to pat dry the sliced tomatoes to remove excess moisture, ensuring the salad remains fresh and crisp.
Step 3: In a large bowl, mix together the chopped lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, red onion, black olives, sliced tomatoes, and pepperoncinis. Reserve the croutons and Parmesan cheese for later.
Step 4: Drizzle the salad with your desired amount of the prepared dressing and toss gently to combine. Note that you likely won’t need all of the dressing to coat the salad evenly.
Step 5: Sprinkle the salad with croutons and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately for best freshness and flavor. Enjoy this vibrant salad as a perfect side dish or light meal.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Olive Garden Salad

Keep these in mind:

Store leftover dressing in the refrigerator.
Adjust dressing quantity based on personal preference.
Use fresh ingredients for best flavor.
For a heartier option, consider adding grilled chicken to your Olive Garden salad with chicken.
To make a copycat Olive Garden salad, ensure you use the same Zesty Italian dressing mix for authenticity.

Best Ways to Serve Olive Garden Salad

This salad is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with Olive Garden salad with breadsticks, creating a delightful Italian dining experience. You can also serve it alongside your favorite pasta dishes or as a light meal on its own. The best salad at Olive Garden is the one you customize to your liking!

How to Store and Reheat Olive Garden Salad

To store your salad, keep the lettuce and dressing separate in airtight containers. This will help maintain freshness. If you have leftover dressing, simply refrigerate it for future use. When ready to serve, combine the ingredients and add the dressing just before eating to ensure a crisp texture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Garden Salad

What is Olive Garden salad made of?

The Garden salad from Olive Garden features a mix of chopped lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, red onion, black olives, tomatoes, and pepperoncinis, topped with croutons and Parmesan cheese.

Can I make Olive Garden salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the ingredients in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve to maintain freshness and crunch.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Olive Garden salad?

To avoid sogginess, make sure to dry the vegetables well and store the dressing separately until serving. Fresh ingredients are key to a perfect Italian restaurant salad.

Variations of Olive Garden Salad You Can Try

If you’re looking for some twists on the classic Olive Garden salad variations, consider adding roasted vegetables for a smoky flavor or switching up the cheese to feta for a tangy kick. You can also use a different dressing, such as balsamic vinaigrette, to change the flavor profile. This salad is vegetarian-friendly, making it a great choice for various diets.

For more information on the health benefits of salads, check out this Healthline article.

For a delicious side dish, consider pairing this salad with Creamy Parmesan Italian Sausage or Lasagna Soup.

Delicious Olive Garden Salad Recipe You Need to Try

Author: basmer
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and vibrant Olive Garden-style salad featuring crisp lettuce, colorful vegetables, tangy pepperoncinis, and a flavorful homemade Zesty Italian dressing.

Instructions

Combine all dressing ingredients in a mini food processor or a jar with a lid. Blend or shake well until emulsified. Cover and refrigerate.
Wash and chop the lettuce. Shred the red cabbage and julienne the carrots. Slice the red onion and roma tomatoes.
In a large bowl, mix chopped lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, red onion, black olives, sliced tomatoes, and pepperoncinis. Reserve croutons and Parmesan cheese.
Drizzle salad with desired amount of dressing and toss gently.
Sprinkle salad with croutons and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.