Description
This Copycat Olive Garden Salad recipe recreates the fresh and zesty Italian salad you love from Olive Garden. It features crisp iceberg lettuce, pepperoncini peppers, ripe Roma tomatoes, black olives, thinly sliced red onions, crunchy seasoned croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a tangy, creamy Italian dressing bursting with garlic, herbs, and a hint of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Prepare the salad ingredients: Chop the iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place it in a large salad bowl. Slice the Roma tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and drain the black olives. Add the pepperoncini peppers, tomatoes, olives, and onion to the bowl with the lettuce.
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, water, mayonnaise, granulated sugar, minced garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until the dressing is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Add croutons and cheese: Sprinkle the seasoned croutons and freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the salad just before serving to maintain crouton crunchiness and fresh flavor.
- Serve immediately: Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature as a refreshing appetizer or side dish, perfect for pairing with Italian entrees or enjoying on its own.
Notes
- For best flavor, prepare the dressing ahead and chill it for at least 30 minutes before tossing the salad.
- You can substitute iceberg lettuce with romaine for a slightly different texture and flavor.
- If you prefer less heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.
- This salad is best served immediately after tossing to keep the croutons crunchy.
- Make sure to use fresh grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for optimal taste.
