Description

This Olive Garden House Salad and Salad Dressing recipe allows you to recreate the iconic restaurant salad at home. It features crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, black olives, red onion, pepperoncini peppers, seasoned croutons, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a tangy homemade Italian dressing. It’s a refreshing and flavorful salad that’s perfect as a starter or a light meal.

Ingredients

Salad:

6 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
6 whole pepperoncini peppers
4 medium firm Roma tomatoes, sliced
1 cup whole pitted black olives, drained
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 cup seasoned croutons
¼ cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Dressing:

⅔ cup extra virgin olive oil
⅓ cup white wine vinegar
3 tbsp water
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tsp fresh minced garlic
2 tsp lemon juice
1½ tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Preparation

Write as:

Step 1:

In a large serving bowl, layer 3 cups of the chopped lettuce, ½ cup of the black olives, ½ cup of the sliced red onion, ½ of the sliced tomatoes, and ½ cup of the croutons.

Step 2:

Layer the remaining lettuce, black olives, sliced red onion, sliced tomatoes, and croutons.

Step 3:

Lay the pepperoncini peppers on top of the salad.

Step 4:

Evenly sprinkle the grated Parmesan on top of the salad. Set the salad aside.

Step 5:

Using either a small mixing bowl and a whisk, or a quart-sized mason jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, water, mayonnaise, sugar, fresh minced garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. If using the bowl and whisk, whisk until the dressing is well combined. If using the mason jar, tightly screw on the lid and shake until the ingredients are completely incorporated.

Step 6:

Immediately pour the dressing over the top of the salad. Serve immediately.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Taste: Captures the signature flavor of the Olive Garden House Salad.
Customizable: Easily adjust ingredients to your liking.
Easy to Make: Simple steps with readily available ingredients.
Versatile: Perfect as a starter, side dish, or light meal.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Dressing can be made in advance.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as a starter before an Italian meal.
Pair with soup and breadsticks for a complete lunch.
Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a heartier salad.
Serve alongside pizza or pasta dishes.
Enjoy as a light and refreshing meal on its own.

Tips

Make sure your red onions are sliced nice and thin. A mandoline would work well to slice them.
Small mason jars are just the right size to make salad dressing and to store any dressing leftovers in the fridge.
This salad is best served right away; otherwise, the croutons will start to soften in the dressing.
The dressing will keep for up to two weeks in the fridge in an airtight jar or bottle.
If you are making the salad ahead of time, add the dressing just before serving.

Preparation Time

15 minutes

Cook Time

0 minutes

Total Time

15 minutes

Nutritional Information

Calories: 270kcal
Carbohydrates: 11g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
Monounsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 4mg
Sodium: 516mg
Potassium: 230mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 5g
Vitamin A: 677IU
Vitamin C: 14mg
Calcium: 74mg
Iron: 1mg

Conclusion

This Olive Garden House Salad recipe brings the restaurant favorite to your kitchen, offering a delightful and easy-to-make salad that’s perfect for any occasion. The homemade dressing truly elevates the dish, providing a burst of flavor that complements the fresh ingredients. Enjoy this classic salad as a starter, side, or light meal, and savor the taste of Olive Garden at home.

Questions and Answers

Q1: Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

A: Yes, the dressing can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Q2: What can I add to make the salad more filling?

A: You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make the salad more substantial.

Q3: Can I use a different type of lettuce?

A: Yes, you can use romaine lettuce or a spring mix instead of iceberg lettuce.

Q4: How do I keep the croutons from getting soggy?

A: Add the dressing just before serving to keep the croutons crisp.

Q5: Can I use dried Italian seasoning instead of fresh?

A: Yes, you can use dried Italian seasoning. Use 1 teaspoon of dried seasoning in place of 1 ½ teaspoons of fresh.