Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe

Teresa Ambra

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe is awesome! If you’ve always wanted to make this lovely restaurant dressing, this is a terrific recipe. I LOVE Olive Garden’s featured salad and dressing along with a host of their other entrees and food items. I’m a tomato lover anyway, add in some olives and pepperocinis to give a salad a little bite and I’m delirious with enjoyment! 🙂

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I was in the mood for Olive Garden Salad last week but I didn’t want to go out to eat. Yes, I had bottles of Olive Garden salad dressing in my refrigerator and on my pantry shelves. But I wanted to try a homemade version instead. I wondered how the copycat versions available tasted. Were they close to the original salad dressing in flavor?

This particular Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe turned out fantastic. I thought it tasted so close to Olive Garden’s dressing. The salad tastes more like Olive Garden’s salad when you add a LOT of freshly grated (fine grate) Parmesan cheese to the salad. Without adding that, you won’t be able to get even close to the original taste.

Let me add that I have taken a little license with Olive Garden’s salad. Most Olive Garden’s are notorious for being very stingy on topping ingredients. You are lucky if you get one or two olives, tomato slices, or pepperocinis when your table is served a bowl of their salad. But they load up the bowl with red onion rings! We almost always ask for more tomatoes and dressing, and sometimes extra olives and pepperoncinis too. We prefer salads with more than just lettuce. For this salad I’ve also incorporated cucumbers, which are not on Olive Garden’s salad menu. But since we enjoy them a lot, I included them in the pictures for this post.

If you love Olive Garden’s Salad like I do, this is a sensational copycat version of their salad dressing. Even the salad is pretty close (if you don’t mind some cucumbers thrown in too. Be ready to be blown away by this delicious salad. 🙂

I initially published this post in August 2013. I tried to make healthier versions of this recipe using yogurt instead of mayonnaise and actually offered two different versions. I recently remade the recipe (January 2020) for someone who came down with flu and pneumonia. After she got out of the hospital I made them a delicious meal including Spaghetti Pizza Bake, Corny Bacon Casserole, Parsley Herb Bread, Banana Blondies and this wonderful salad and dressing. They loved everything.

This time I didn’t even try for a healthier version. Instead, I decided to follow the original recipe of the dressing I liked the most. The only thing I had to improvise was whisking the mayonnaise into the dressing instead of shaking the mason jar. It just didn’t break down enough to be incorporated without whisking. Other than that, it turned out perfectly.

Yeah, this is one great salad dressing recipe. Whether you serve it on Olive Garden salad or not!

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Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe is really wonderful. Sprinkling plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and cracked black pepper help bring out the tastes you’re used to when eating Olive Garden’s salad.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

This recipe is so quick and easy to make. I had it completed in about 5 minutes!

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

I added cucumbers to the original Olive Garden salad. This salad was so delicious.

Here’s what I did.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

I used these ingredients for the salad.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Toss lettuce mix into a large salad bowl.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Toss red onion rings on top of the lettuce. Add sliced tomatoes, cucumber (if using), jumbo olives, pepperoncinis, parmesan cheese and croutons.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

I used these ingredients for the salad dressing.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Place 1/4 cup white vinegar in a one-pint mason jar. Add 3 tablespoons water.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Add a packet of Good Seasonings Italian Salad Dressing mix.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Place lid tightly on mason jar and shake contents vigorously.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Add 1/2 cup olive oil.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Cover the mason jar with a lid and shake vigorously again.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Add Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, sugar and garlic powder.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Add 1/4 cup olive oil.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Add two tablespoons white vinegar, 1 1/2 tbsp. water.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Add a tablespoon of Hellmann’s mayonnaise and whisk until the mayonnaise is incorporated.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Put lid on mason jar and shake vigorously for 30 to 60 seconds until dressing is well blended. Transfer mixture to a cruet or dressing dispenser as desired.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Drizzle Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe over top of salad as desired.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat recipe is delicious and can be used on any kind of salad you make–whether you try to replicate Olive Garden’s salad or not.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

This copycat recipe made with the Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix came really close to replicating the traditional Olive Garden dressing. It tasted amazingly like Olive Garden’s dressing

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

This salad is so scrumptious. I could eat this every day!

Here are the recipes.

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING COPYCAT RECIPE

(Salad recipe adapted from Olive Garden; Salad Dressing recipe adapted from: The Country Cook)

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Olive Garden Salad Copycat Recipe

Teresa Ambra
Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe is fantastic! This amazing version of Olive Garden's classic salad dressing is the perfect salad for family, company or holiday dinners. The dressing can be whipped up in about 5 minutes and made for any kind of salad. It's the closest I've tasted for replicating the original dressing recipe. This easy and delicious salad dressing will be a huge hit with your family.
2.73 from 11 votes
Prep Time 35 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Salads and Salad Dressings, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 276 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 set tongs
  • 1 pint-sized mason jar
  • 1 whisk
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables

Ingredients
  

SALAD:

  • 2 bags iceberg lettuce mix with carrots and shredded red cabbage
  • 4-5 roma tomatoes sliced
  • 1/2 cucumber peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion sliced thinly and separated into rings
  • 3/4 cup ripe jumbo olives whole
  • 8-10 pepperoncini or more, as desired
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup Texas Toast croutons as desired (or Caesar Salad croutons)
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING:

  • 1 packet good seasons Italian dressing mix
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. water
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp. Hellmann's mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. water

Instructions
 

SALAD:

  • Layer salad ingredients in this order in large salad bowl: lettuce mix, red onion rings, tomatoes, cucumber, olives and pepperocinis.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  • To serve: toss salad ingredients and place on plates.
  • Drizzle with salad dressing; sprinkle with sea salt.
  • Season with freshly ground black pepper.
  • Garnish with croutons, then extra Parmesan cheese, as desired.

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING:

  • In a pint-size mason jar, pour ¼ cup white vinegar and 3 tbsp. water.
  • Add Italian Dressing mix, replace lid and shake.
  • Add ½ cup olive oil and shake again.
  • Add Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder and sugar.
  • Whisk in mayonnaise until it is fully incorporated.
  • Add 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp. white vinegar and 1 1/2 tbsp. water.
  • Seal lid on mason jar and shake thoroughly for 30-60 seconds or until ingredients are well mixed.
  • Makes 1 pint salad dressing.

Notes

NOTE: Good Seasons Italian seasoning mix contains maltodextrin. As a result, this recipe is NOT gluten free.
 
Salad Dressing recipe adapted from The Country Cook.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
 
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 4gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 666mgPotassium: 174mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 450IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 1mg
Keyword salad, salad dressing, side dish
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Olive Garden Salad Copycat Recipe[/b]
Recipe Type: Salads and Salad Dressings
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Teresa Ambra my version of the [url href=”http://www.olivegarden.com/” target=”_blank” title=”olive garden”]Olive Garden[/url] classic
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Copycat version of Olive Garden’s classic salad, plus a few of my additions.
Ingredients
  • about 6-8 cups iceberg lettuce mix (with carrots and shredded red cabbage)
  • 4-5 roma tomatoes, sliced
  • ½ cucumber, peeled and sliced
  • ½ cup red onion slices, sliced thinly and separated into rings
  • ¾ cup ripe jumbo olives, whole, drained
  • 8-10 pepperocini
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Texas Toast croutons, as desired
  • Kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
  1. Layer salad ingredients in this order in large salad bowl: lettuce mix, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, pepperocini and red onion rings.
  2. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  3. To serve: toss salad ingredients and place on plates.
  4. Drizzle with salad dressing; sprinkle with kosher salt.
  5. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
  6. Garnish with croutons, then extra Parmesan cheese, as desired.
Notes
You can also substitute one head iceberg lettuce, ¼ cup shredded carrots and ¼ cup shredded red cabbage for the lettuce mix.[br][br]Olive Garden is a little sparing on their ingredients except for lettuce and onions sometimes. We always ask for more tomatoes and dressing on the side. Sometimes we’ve even asked for more olives and pepperocinis. This recipe reflects our tastes. Olive Garden does not add cucumber to their salads. That’s my addition.

 

[b]Healthy Olive Garden Salad Copycat Dressings[/b]
Recipe Type: Salads and Salad Dressings
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/01/olive-garden-salad-dressing.html” target=”_blank” title=”olive garden salad dressing copycat recipe”]The Country Cook[/url]
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 16
This delicious copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing recipe uses Greek yogurt and honey instead of mayonnaise and sugar. Very close in taste to Olive Garden’s recipe but healthier. Gluten free.
Ingredients
  • 1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing mix (this does have sugar in the mix but no gluten)
  • ¼ cup white vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. water
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ tsp. dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper
  • ¼ tsp. garlic powder
  • ½ tsp. honey
  • 1 tbsp. [url href=”http://chobani.com/home/” target=”_blank” title=”chobani”]Chobani[/url] vanilla Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. white vinegar
  • 1 ½ tbsp. water
Instructions
  1. In a pint-size mason jar, pour ¼ cup white vinegar and 3 tbsp. water.
  2. Add Italian Dressing mix, replace lid and shake.
  3. Add ½ cup olive oil and shake again.
  4. Now add Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, honey, Greek yogurt, olive oil, white vinegar, and remaining water.
  5. Seal lid on mason jar and shake thoroughly for 30-60 seconds or until ingredients are well mixed.
  6. Makes 1 pint salad dressing.
Notes
The color of this salad dressing is a little greener than Olive Garden’s salad dressing because I use ALL olive oil and NO vegetable oil. I substituted vanilla Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise and honey for the sugar in the copycat recipe.
[b]Healthy Olive Garden Salad Copycat Dressings[/b]
Recipe Type: Salads and Salad Dressings
Cuisine: Italian
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from [url href=”http://www.copykat.com/2009/03/29/olive-garden-salad-dressing/” target=”_blank” title=”olive garden salad dressing”]copyKat.com[/url]
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 8
Delicious Olive Garden Salad Dressing copycat recipe. This one is a healthier version substituting Greek yogurt for mayonnaise and honey for corn syrup in the recipe. Gluten free.
Ingredients
  • ½ cup [url href=”http://chobani.com/home/” target=”_blank” title=”chobani”]Chobani [/url]vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • 3 tbsp. honey
  • ¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup finely grated Romano cheese
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced (I recommend using 3 large garlic cloves, minced)
  • 1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. dried parsley flakes
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
Instructions
  1. Combine ingredients in blender and pulse until well mixed.
  2. Combine with salad or drizzle over individual servings.
  3. Garnish salad with croutons, salt and pepper, and more grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
I substituted Greek yogurt for the mayonnaise and honey for the corn syrup in this copycat recipe. I increased the Italian seasoning and I would recommend increasing the garlic to at least 3 cloves.
Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Are you salivating yet? Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe is a marvelous way to enjoy Olive Garden’s traditional salad recipe.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

I served Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat recipe originally with a delicious homemade Whole Wheat Greek Bread.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Doesn’t this salad look wonderful? It was so fresh and crisp! We loved this version of salad and salad dressing. If you love Olive Garden Salad you will love this recipe.

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Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #SaladDressing uses #GreekYogurt, #Cilantro & a little honey. It's a terrific dressing to put over any #TexMex style #salad. #Healthy #CleanEating #GlutenFree #CreamyCilantroLimeDressing

Healthy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

Healthy Lemon Poppyseed Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Thousand Island Dressing

Thousand Island Salad Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | fantastic homemade #saladdressing that's perfect for any #salad. It's great to use as a dip as well. #glutenfree
Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this is the BEST #OliveGarden #CopycatRecipe for #SaladDressing I've ever eaten. Absolutely delicious & can be mixed up in about 5 minutes! Wonderful for family, company or #holiday dinners. #salad #OliveGardenSaladDressing #OliveGardenSaladDressingCopycatRecipe

Olive Garden Salad Copycat Recipe

Teresa Ambra
Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat Recipe is fantastic! This amazing version of Olive Garden’s classic salad dressing is the perfect salad for family, company or holiday dinners. The dressing can be whipped up in about 5 minutes and made for any kind of salad. It’s the closest I’ve tasted for replicating the original dressing recipe. This easy and delicious salad dressing will be a huge hit with your family.
2.73 from 11 votes
Prep Time 35 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Salads and Salad Dressings, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 276 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 set tongs
  • 1 pint-sized mason jar
  • 1 whisk
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables

Ingredients
  

SALAD:

  • 2 bags iceberg lettuce mix with carrots and shredded red cabbage
  • 4-5 roma tomatoes sliced
  • 1/2 cucumber peeled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion sliced thinly and separated into rings
  • 3/4 cup ripe jumbo olives whole
  • 8-10 pepperoncini or more, as desired
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 cup Texas Toast croutons as desired (or Caesar Salad croutons)
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING:

  • 1 packet good seasons Italian dressing mix
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 3 tbsp. water
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1 tbsp. Hellmann’s mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. white vinegar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. water

Instructions
 

SALAD:

  • Layer salad ingredients in this order in large salad bowl: lettuce mix, red onion rings, tomatoes, cucumber, olives and pepperocinis.
  • Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
  • To serve: toss salad ingredients and place on plates.
  • Drizzle with salad dressing; sprinkle with sea salt.
  • Season with freshly ground black pepper.
  • Garnish with croutons, then extra Parmesan cheese, as desired.

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING:

  • In a pint-size mason jar, pour ¼ cup white vinegar and 3 tbsp. water.
  • Add Italian Dressing mix, replace lid and shake.
  • Add ½ cup olive oil and shake again.
  • Add Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder and sugar.
  • Whisk in mayonnaise until it is fully incorporated.
  • Add 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tbsp. white vinegar and 1 1/2 tbsp. water.
  • Seal lid on mason jar and shake thoroughly for 30-60 seconds or until ingredients are well mixed.
  • Makes 1 pint salad dressing.

Notes

NOTE: Good Seasons Italian seasoning mix contains maltodextrin. As a result, this recipe is NOT gluten free.
 
Salad Dressing recipe adapted from The Country Cook.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen
 
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 4gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.004gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 666mgPotassium: 174mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 450IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 1mg
Keyword salad, salad dressing, side dish
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

13 Comments

  • Jacqueline

    April 24, 2023 at 3:36 pm

    It’s really good!

    1. Teresa Ambra

      April 26, 2023 at 8:29 pm

      Yes it is!

  • Carolyn

    December 7, 2018 at 6:40 am

    Where are you finding gluten free Good Seasoning Italian dressing mix? All the Good Seasoning mix I have found has wheat – which contains gluten.

    1. Teresa

      December 7, 2018 at 10:55 am

      Hi, Carolyn, I’m not sure where I found that packet. This recipe was published several years ago. Perhaps they had a version back then without gluten and now they’ve gone to adding it. If you need a gluten free version, I recommend making your own. There are good copycat recipes out their for the Good Seasoning Italian Dressing Mix on All Recipes and other sites. If you’re celiac, it’s worth it to make your own and not have to worry about having a reaction.

  • Easy French Dressing – Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

    June 6, 2015 at 10:43 am

    […] Healthy Olive Garden Salad Copycat Dressings […]

  • Karen

    April 20, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    Hi Teresa

    I love that you are trying to get a healthier version of Olive Garden dressing – I love it too. Unfortunately my biggest beef with it is the GMO ingredients, like the high fructose corn syrup. Just wanted you to know that Kraft is a big proponent of GMO ingredients, and in they salad mixes they list citric acid (no longer made from fruit but black mold) and “natural flavorings” which is another name that high fructose corn syrup goes under.

    1. Teresa

      April 20, 2015 at 4:41 pm

      Thanks, Karen. It’s so discouraging what these large conglomerates are doing to our food supply. I don’t like using High Fructose Corn Syrup either. I had no idea that citric acid was made from mold. I had heard that natural flavorings sometimes included MSG and other preservatives, but had not heard that it was a cover for High Fructose Corn Syrup. If you find some healthier ingredients to use, please let me know.

  • Recipes For Healthy Eating At Olive Garden « Healthfood Tips

    March 16, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    […] Healthy Olive Garden Salad Copycat Dressings – Can’t Stay Out … – Then I substituted honey for the corn syrup in one recipe and honey for the sugar in the other recipe. I also substituted olive oil … black pepper help bring out the tastes you’re used to when eating Olive Garden’s … the recipes. HEALTHY OLIVE GARDEN SALAD & COPYCAT DRESSINGS (Recipe … […]

  • Chicken in Sun-Dried Tomato Basil Sauce – Can't Stay Out Of The Kitchen

    September 4, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    […] If you time everything right, this main dish with pasta can be made in just over an hour. Add a side salad or veggie and you’re good to go. My family has always enjoyed pasta, so serving chicken over […]

  • Weekly Meal Plan Suggestions – Week 13 – Can't Stay Out Of The Kitchen

    January 26, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    […] Healthy Olive Garden Copycat Salad Dressings (and Salad) […]

  • Northern Italian Stuffed Shells – Can't Stay Out Of The Kitchen

    November 29, 2013 at 7:02 pm

    […] Serve with your favorite bread, garlic bread, foccacia bread and salad. […]

  • Creamy Ham, Veggies and Noodle Bake – Can't Stay Out Of The Kitchen

    October 8, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    […] This delicious one-dish meal is a complete meal in and of itself, although you can always add a side salad, fruit, or thick slices of homemade bread to go along with it. This satisfying comfort meal has […]

  • Whole Wheat Greek Bread – Can't Stay Out Of The Kitchen

    September 3, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    […] Whole Wheat Greek Bread is excellent served alongside my Healthy Olive Garden Salad and Copy Cat Dressings. […]

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