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. 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’s– 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
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.
Tools For This Recipe
(Amazon affiliate links)- Check out all of my kitchen essentials here.
- Mini Food Processor– My favorite tool to easily combine/emulsify salad dressing.
- Salad Dressing Shaker
- Salad Dressing Serving Container (Cruet)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil– Developed for dressings and marinades.
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Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing
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
- 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.
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/