Olive Garden Salad with Copycat Dressing
A fresh and vibrant Olive Garden-style salad featuring homemade dressing, perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups chopped green leaf lettuce or romaine
- 2 cups chopped Iceberg lettuce
- 3 cups chopped red leaf lettuce
- 1 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup chopped (deli-sliced) peperoncinis
- ½ medium red onion (halved and cut into paper-thin slices)
- 1 pint Glory cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 2 cups croutons (homemade, if possible)
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup freshly shaved Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¾ teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped green leaf lettuce, Iceberg lettuce, and red leaf lettuce. Make sure they are completely dry.
- Toss in the sliced black olives, chopped peperoncinis, red onion slices, halved cherry tomatoes, and homemade croutons. Mix gently to distribute evenly.
- In a mason jar or salad dressing shaker, add red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Pour in the extra-virgin olive oil. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until fully combined.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the salad just before serving and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top, and if you’re feeling fancy, add the shaved Parmesan.
Notes
Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. For a vegan version, replace cheese with nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Find it online: https://us.recipesfood.org/olive-garden-inspired-salad/
