Name: Homemade Olive Garden Dressing
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: For the Seasoning Mix:; •1 tablespoon of granulated sugar; •1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder; •1½ teaspoons of Italian seasoning; •½ teaspoon of kosher salt; •½ teaspoon of fresh cracked black; To mix for salad dressing:; •1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil; •1/4 cup of white vinegar; •4 tablespoons of water; •2 tablespoons of mayonnaise; •2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Instead of using a packet of Italian dressing mix, try making your own with fresh herbs and white wine vinegar. Recently I stumbled upon a timeless treasure – the recipe for Olive Garden’s famous salad dressing. Mixing together a medley of flavors evoking nostalgia, I carefully combined Italian seasoning, the tantalizing kick of garlic, and a hint of sweetness from a touch of sugar.

This recipe aims to capture the essence of the beloved Olive Garden dressing. I am inviting fellow food lovers to join me on a journey of flavor and nostalgia. Let’s uncover the secrets behind this iconic dressing together, as we elevate our salads to new heights of refinement. All from the comfort of our own kitchens.

Does store bought Olive Garden dressing taste the same?

I find that grocery store-bought Olive Garden dressing doesn’t quite taste the same as the homemade dressing. When I think of the robust flavors of Olive Garden dressing, my mind drifts to the perfect blend of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a hint of black olives that come together harmoniously in the copycat dressing. The store-bought dressing lacks that depth and complexity that is present in the homemade version.

The magic of Olive Garden dressing lies in its ability to elevate any salad to a gourmet experience. The store-bought dressings fall short in capturing that essence. The richness of the Parmesan cheese, the aromatic Italian seasoning, and the subtle brininess of black olives are essential components that are often diluted or missing in store-bought alternatives. In essence, the store-bought version may suffice in a pinch, but for a true culinary experience, the homemade Olive Garden dressing is unparalleled.

What is the Olive Garden salad dressing made of?

Olive Garden’s dressing is made with soybean oil, distilled white vinegar, eggs, Romano cheese, salt, black pepper, dehydrated garlic, and additives like xanthan gum and dextrose.

That nutritional information and being concerned with my daily values and calorie diet, made making my own salad dressings a great choice. It also allows me to take the things that I love the most about that addictive Olive Garden salad dressing and make it without the additives.

This Olive Garden salad dressing is made of a blend of Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, garlic, white vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil. This combination will create a creamy Italian dressing. The Italian seasoning provides a savory herbaceous flavor, while the Parmesan cheese adds a salty richness that complements the tangy notes from the vinegar. The garlic adds a subtle kick of spice, enhancing the overall depth of the dressing. The olive oil not only contributes to the smooth texture but also brings a fruity and slightly peppery taste to the mix.

When making a homemade version of the Olive Garden dressing, it’s essential to pay attention to the balance of these key ingredients to replicate the restaurant version accurately. By carefully measuring and blending these components in a mini food processor you can create a copycat recipe that captures the essence of the original Olive Garden salad dressing.

Our Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe

Here is my take on a Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe that captures the essence of the original. Gather your dressing ingredients before you start – they’re the heart of the recipe. My Italian dressing recipe includes Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, pepper, and sugar. These components work together to achieve that tangy, zesty, and slightly sweet flavor that defines the Olive Garden salad dressing. By mixing these dry ingredients with the wet components, you’ll be on your way to enjoying a salad dressing that tastes just like the real deal. Best of all there is no high fructose corn syrup.

Ingredients:

To mix for salad dressing:

For those eager to try out this recipe, I’ve included a recipe card below with detailed instructions. Feel free to experiment with your own copycat recipe version of the Olive Garden salad dressing. Whether you come across this recipe on TikTok, on other social media or through affiliate links, it’s a great addition to your weekly dinner recipes. Enjoy making your very own Olive Garden salad dressing!

How to Make a CopyCat Olive Garden Salad at Home

Making your own copycat Olive Garden salad recipe is a great choice for those who love the restaurant’s signature dish. To replicate the Olive Garden salad experience, start with a generous salad bowl. Mix your salad ingredients- Fresh, crisp lettuce such as romaine or iceberg – sliced red onion, black olives, juicy roma tomatoes and pepperoncini peppers. If you don’t have pepperoncini peppers, banana peppers may be used. Pepperoncini peppers are slightly more more sour than banana peppers due to the vinegar used when the peppers are pickled. Next, sprinkle in some shredded Parmesan cheese for a salty kick. For those on a low-sodium diet, use less sodium in your dressing or salad ingredients.

Now, the dressing. Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, mayonnaise, lemon juice, a touch of sugar, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Vegan mayonnaise or greek yogurt may be used instead of mayonnaise. Whisk it all together until it has a smooth and creamy texture. Pour this delectable dressing over your salad and toss gently to coat each leaf with the tangy, herb-infused goodness. The result is a flavorful, refreshing salad that rivals the Olive Garden’s own.

With this copycat recipe, you can enjoy your personal taste on Olive Garden’s famous salad in the comfort of your own kitchen any day of the week.

How to Store Leftover Salad Dressing

I store my leftover salad dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This method helps maintain the freshness of the dressing and prevents it from spoiling quickly. Any airtight jar, such as a mason jar, is ideal for keeping the flavors of the dressing intact while also preventing any odors from the fridge from seeping in. Kept refrigerated, it should last you up to a week — if you don’t use it all the next day! Before using the leftover dressing, give it a good shake or stir to blend any separated ingredients back together.

What Can I Serve with Olive Garden CopyCat Salad and Salad Dressing?

There are so many Olive Garden copycat recipes of restaurant favorites that are available. There are pairings for every season. You can make these homemade versions that meet your dietary needs. Popular soup recipes that people search for are Minestrone Soup, Pasta e Fagioli, or Zuppa Toscana, a flavorful filling soup sprinkled with some fresh herbs on top. Serve one of those in a large bowl in the winter with this best salad and bread sticks and you will have the perfect winter meal.

When it’s hot out or you are you wanting a lighter main dish. Try putting a few slices of grilled chicken on your Olive Garden’s Salad. Adding your dressing into a large salad bowl with a few cherry tomatoes and crunchy croutons. You could eat the whole salad as a main entree!

For a delightful side dish. Try making a pasta salad adding some grape tomatoes, red onion, black olives, add a sprinkling of feta cheese. Add your Italian dressing and serve at room temperature. Serving pasta salad at room temperature causes the pasta to be more appealing in its texture. The only thing is to not let it stay out more than a couple of hours for food safety.

Homemade Olive Garden Dressing

Yield: 10oz

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Make your own delicious Homemade Olive Garden Dressing with this easy recipe! Enjoy the authentic taste at home.

Ingredients

For the Seasoning Mix:
•1 tablespoon of granulated sugar
•1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
•1½ teaspoons of Italian seasoning
•½ teaspoon of kosher salt
•½ teaspoon of fresh cracked black
To mix for salad dressing:
•1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
•1/4 cup of white vinegar
•4 tablespoons of water
•2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
•2 teaspoons of lemon juice

Instructions

Add all the spices together in a bowl and mix.

Store in an airtight container and mix with the wet ingredients for use as a salad dressing or gift dry in a nice jar.

In Conclusion

This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing recipe is not just a simple condiment, but a culinary masterpiece. It will transport your taste buds to a whole new world of flavor. With its perfect balance of tangy, zesty, and sweet notes, this dressing will be your new favorite salad dressing. So why settle for store bought when you can add some simple items to your grocery list and create this exquisite dressing at home? Give it a try on endless salad options and experience the true art of salad making.