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Copycat Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Homemade Italian Dressing

A vibrant close-up of a bowl filled with copycat Olive Garden salad, featuring romaine lettuce, croutons, olives, tomatoes, and grated cheese.
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Make the famous Olive Garden house salad at home. This recipe focuses on the crisp lettuce mix and the bright, zesty homemade Italian dressing that defines this restaurant favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 head Iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 2 medium Roma tomatoes, sliced
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, drained
  • 1 cup croutons
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • For the Dressing:
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 packet dry Zesty Italian Dressing Mix (do not prepare)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing first. In a medium bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, avocado oil, white vinegar, mayonnaise, dry Italian dressing mix, sugar, and lemon juice.
  2. Whisk or shake the ingredients until they are fully combined and emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to your preference. Set the dressing aside.
  3. Prepare the salad components. Chop the romaine and iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onion slices, black olives, and drained pepperoncini peppers.
  5. Add the croutons and most of the grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl. Reserve a small amount of cheese for garnish.
  6. Just before serving, pour the desired amount of homemade dressing over the salad ingredients.
  7. Toss the salad gently until all components are lightly coated with the zesty dressing.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For the most authentic flavor, use a dry Zesty Italian Dressing Mix packet rather than a pre-made liquid dressing.
  • You can prepare the dressing up to three days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Shake well before using.
  • If you want a richer salad, add grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a main course.

Nutrition

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