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The Best Copycat Olive Garden Salad and Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe

A vibrant bowl of copycat Olive Garden salad featuring crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and croutons, topped with grated cheese.
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Make the famous Olive Garden House Salad at home with this authentic copycat recipe, featuring crisp romaine, tangy pepperoncini, and a bright, zesty homemade Italian dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, drained and sliced
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup homemade croutons
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 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 Homemade Dressing: In a medium bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, avocado oil, white vinegar, mayonnaise, dry Italian dressing mix packet, sugar, and lemon juice.
  2. Whisk or shake the mixture vigorously until it emulsifies and becomes creamy. Season with salt and pepper to your preference. Set aside.
  3. Prepare the Salad Base: Place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large bowl.
  4. Add the black olives, sliced pepperoncini peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion to the lettuce.
  5. Toss the salad ingredients gently to distribute them evenly.
  6. Add the croutons and grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl.
  7. Pour about half of the homemade dressing over the salad. Toss lightly until the ingredients are coated. Add more dressing as needed.
  8. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a complete meal, add grilled chicken breast to this salad.
  • This recipe is great for meal planning; store the dressing separately from the salad greens.
  • If you are looking for weight loss programs, this fresh salad is a good low-calorie option.

Nutrition

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