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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!

bottle of copycat olive garden salad dressing on a glass table with olive garden salad in the background.

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’sJarred 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.

copycat olive garden salad dressing being poured over a large glass bowl filled with olive garden salad.

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Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing

5 from 19 ratings
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!

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

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.

Nutritional information is an estimate and is per tablespoon there are approximately 22 tablespoons in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 68kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.2g, Protein: 0.02g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 0.1mg, Sodium: 55mg, Potassium: 1mg, Fiber: 0.03g, Sugar: 0.1g, Vitamin A: 1IU, Vitamin C: 0.001mg, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 0.1mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!

This homemade copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing is the perfect accompaniment to fresh lettuce and salad ingredients- and so easy to make at home! | The Cozy Cook | #Copycat #SaladDressing #OliveGarden #Italian #Vegetarian #Healthy #ItalianSaladDressing #CopycatOliveGarden

This homemade copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing is the perfect accompaniment to fresh lettuce and salad ingredients- and so easy to make at home! | The Cozy Cook | #Copycat #SaladDressing #OliveGarden #Italian #Vegetarian #Healthy #ItalianSaladDressing #CopycatOliveGarden

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82 comments on “Olive Garden Salad Dressing”

  1. 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!

  2. Hi there! What is the Italian dressing mix? Is that a powder or an actual salad dressing?

  3. 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

  4. Excellent! Thanks!!!

  5. 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!

  6. 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.

  7. 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!

  8. What is considered a “serving” for this recipe?

  9. 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 🙂

  10. when a recipe says use a good olive oil, which ones are considered good? brands

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