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Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Signature Creamy Italian Dressing Recipe

A close-up, appetizing shot of a bowl filled with copycat Olive Garden salad, featuring crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, olives, and croutons.
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Recreate the iconic Olive Garden Salad at home. This recipe delivers the crisp lettuce, fresh vegetables, and the highly sought-after zesty, creamy Italian dressing that tastes even better than the original restaurant version.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers (drained)
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 cup store-bought or homemade croutons
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • For the Dressing: 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, water, olive oil, Dijon mustard, sugar, oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Whisk or shake the mixture vigorously until it is completely smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  3. Prepare the Salad Base: In a very large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
  4. Toss the vegetables gently to distribute them evenly.
  5. Assemble the Salad: Just before serving, add the croutons and grated Parmesan cheese to the salad bowl.
  6. Pour about half of the prepared creamy Italian dressing over the salad. Toss gently until the ingredients are lightly coated. Add more dressing as desired.
  7. Serve immediately to maintain the crispness of the lettuce.

Notes

  • For the best flavor, make the homemade Italian dressing at least one hour ahead of time.
  • If you want a tangier dressing, slightly increase the white wine vinegar measurement.
  • To achieve the restaurant texture, ensure your lettuce is very cold and dry before tossing.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://pureplatepath.com/copycat-olive-garden-salad-recipe/