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Discover the secrets to making the iconic Olive Garden Salad at home. With crispy greens, fresh tomatoes, and tangy dressing – it is so good!
Featured with this recipe
Make the famous Never-Ending Salad at home with a few simple and delicious ingredients. Our recipe, complete with salad dressing, will have you enjoying a crisp and refreshing salad in minutes. Always a classic side dish, this salad, complete with lettuce, red onion, tomatoes, black olives, and more, is so easy to make. With a simple toss, you’ll be enjoying your copycat salad, and it’s so good, you’ll believe you’re in the restaurant!
Ingredients in an Olive Garden Salad
- Romaine Lettuce
- Red Onion
- Tomatoes
- Medium Black Olives
- Pepperoncini Peppers
- Parmesan Cheese
- Texas Toast Seasoned Croutons
- Dressing: high quality olive oil, Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix, white wine vinegar, light corn syrup, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese
Variations
Additional topping ideas:
- Chopped or shredded carrots
- Garbanzo beans
- Shredded cheese
- Marinated beets
- Shredded red cabbage
- Fresh lemon juice
- Roasted vegetables
- Grilled chicken
- Shrimp
Serving Suggestions
- Just like Olive Garden, bread sticks are a must!
- Pasta
- Soup
- Grilled steak or chicken
Recipe Tip
Make sure to refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to mingle!
Frequently Asked Questions
Their salad mix is a combination of romaine and iceberg lettuce.
Along with using fresh ingredients, Olive Garden keeps their ingredients chilled until they are ready to be served. A tip for us all!
Their salad starts with a base of romaine and iceberg lettuce, and has tomatoes, olives, parmesan cheese, croutons, red onions, and pepperoncini peppers.
Read Next: 35+ Easy Lunch Ideas
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How to Make an Olive Garden Salad
Olive Garden Salad
Video
Ingredients
- 2 small heads of Romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ small red onion, sliced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
- 3 ounces (about ½ cup) medium black olives, drained
- 4 whole peperoncini peppers
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1-2 cups Texas Toast Seasoned Croutons
For the Dressing
- ⅔ cup high-quality extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 (7-ounce) package Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
- ⅓ cup white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ¾ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
For the Dressing
- Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until well combined.
- Pour into jar, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
For the Salad
- Arrange salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Fold in dressing until well coated or serve on the side.
Notes
- Don’t stop at 1/ cup Parmesan cheese – keep it going til someone says when!
- Serve with soup and breadsticks for a classic Olive Garden lunch.
- Make the dressing up to a few days ahead for a quicker lunch.
The taste is the absolute best! I bought all of the ingredients but cheated and bought Olive Garden dressing. My husband loved it. We have it at least a couple of times a month. More if he requests it. Love it!
Such a tasty salad, and the dressing is sublime! I love the bit of creaminess from the mayo. So good!
We absolutely loved this! I always love an Olive Garden salad, but it’s even better when you can make it yourself!
I love Olive Garden’s salad!! This tastes just like it, maybe even better since I didn’t have to go there to get it!