Crispy lettuce, fresh vegetables and a homemade creamy Italian dressing will make this copycat Olive garden salad recipe your new favorite salad to make at home.
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Total Time20 minutesmins
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Olive Garden Salad
Servings: 8
Calories: 267kcal
Ingredients
Salad
6cupsiceberg lettucechopped
6wholepepperoncini peppers
4mediumfirm Roma tomatoessliced
1cupwhole pitted black olivesdrained
1cupred onionthinly sliced
1cupseasoned croutons
¼cupparmesan cheesefresh grated
Dressing
⅔cupolive oilextra virgin
⅓cupwhite wine vinegar
3tablespoonswater
2tablespoonsmayonnaise
1tablespoongranulated sugar
2teaspoonsgarlicfresh minced
2teaspoonslemon juice
1 ½teaspoonsItalian seasoning
½teaspoonkosher salt
½teaspoonfresh cracked black pepper
¼teaspoonred pepper flakes
Instructions
Using 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.
Layer the remaining lettuce, black olives, sliced red onion, sliced tomatoes, and croutons.
Lay the pepperoncini peppers on top of the salad.
Evenly sprinkle the grated parmesan on top of the salad. Set the salad aside.
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,
Immediately pour the dressing over the top of the salad. Serve immediately.
Notes
PRO TIP:Make sure your red onions are sliced nice and thin. A mandoline would work well to slice them.PRO TIP:Small mason jars are just the right size to make salad dressing and to store any dressing leftovers in the fridge.PRO TIP:This salad is best served right away, otherwise, the croutons will start to soften in the dressing.