Olive Garden Salad Recipe: Famous Italian Restaurant Copycat

My first visit to Olive Garden remains etched in my memory—not because of the pasta or breadsticks (though they were delicious), but because of that legendary salad. As our server approached the large chilled bowl, I was immediately drawn to the vibrant colors: deep purple onions, bright green pepperoncini, rich black olives, and the light dusting of aged cheese over crisp lettuce. One bite of that perfectly dressed salad, and I was hooked. For years, I found myself craving that distinctive combination of flavors and textures between restaurant visits until I finally decided to recreate it at home. After some experimentation, I’m thrilled to share this spot-on copycat recipe that brings the magic of Olive Garden’s famous salad right to your dining table.

This iconic Italian salad is wonderfully fresh, crisp, and topped with signature add-ins that elevate it far beyond an ordinary garden salad. Best of all, it’s surprisingly simple to recreate at home with just a handful of ingredients.

What You’ll Need

Equipment

• Large salad bowl (glass or ceramic works best)
• Salad tongs or servers
• Sharp knife for slicing vegetables

Ingredients

• Olive Garden salad dressing – The signature tangy, herb-infused Italian dressing that brings all the elements together
• American salad mix – Provides the fresh, crisp base for the salad, usually containing romaine, iceberg, and red cabbage for varied textures and colors
• Pitted black olives – Add a distinctive Mediterranean flavor and meaty texture that contrasts beautifully with the crisp lettuce
• Pepperoncini peppers – Contribute a mild, tangy heat and vinegary brightness that cuts through the richness of the cheese and dressing
• Red onions – Deliver a sharp, aromatic bite that becomes more mellow when thinly sliced
• Roma tomatoes – Offer juicy sweetness and beautiful color contrast, plus essential freshness
• Parmesan or Romano cheese – Adds savory, salty richness and umami depth that ties all the flavors together
• Croutons – Provide crucial textural contrast with their satisfying crunch and garlicky flavor

The Perfect Lettuce Blend

While the restaurant uses a specific mix, at home you can achieve excellent results with:

• 70% romaine for structure and crunch
• 20% iceberg for refreshing crispness
• 10% red cabbage for color and nutrition
• Pre-packaged American blend or Italian blend works perfectly

Temperature Matters

• Chill your salad bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before assembling
• Use cold ingredients straight from the refrigerator
• Dress the salad just before serving to maintain crispness

Sizing and Cutting

• Slice red onions paper-thin for the right intensity without overpowering
• Halve or quarter larger olives for better distribution
• Cut tomatoes into quarters or eighths depending on size

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Chill your equipment: Place your salad bowl in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before preparation.
2. Prepare your ingredients: While the bowl chills, slice your onions very thinly, quarter your tomatoes, and drain the olives and pepperoncini.
3. Build the base: Remove the chilled bowl from the freezer and add the entire bag of salad mix.
4. Layer the add-ins: Top the lettuce with sliced red onions, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, and tomatoes.
5. Add the finishing touches: Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese and add a generous handful of croutons.
6. Dress and serve: Drizzle with Olive Garden salad dressing, toss gently to combine, and serve immediately for maximum freshness.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

For the Freshest Experience

• Wash and dry lettuce: Up to 2 days ahead, store wrapped in paper towels in a sealed container
• Prep vegetables: Slice onions, tomatoes, and drain olives/pepperoncini up to 1 day ahead
• Assemble strategically: Keep all components separate until just before serving

Storing Leftovers

• Dressed salad: Will remain crisp for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator
• Undressed components: Can be stored separately for 2-3 days
• Reviving wilted salad: Add a squeeze of lemon juice and a splash of ice water, then drain well

The Perfect Olive Garden Salad Dressing

While you can purchase Olive Garden’s dressing at many grocery stores, making it at home allows you to customize the flavor:

Love Olive Garden? Try these copycat recipes!

• Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Fried Mozzarella Sticks
• Grilled Chicken Margherita
• Olive Garden Lasagna Recipe
• Olive Garden Shrimp Scampi
• Steak Alfredo
• Toscana Soup
• Watermelon Sangria

Favorite Salad Recipes

• Applebees Oriental Chicken Salad
• Cucumber Tomato Onion Salad
• Hot Bacon Spinach Salad
• Panera Mediterranean Salad
• Wendy’s Strawberry Salad

Check out more of my easy salad recipes and the best Olive Garden recipes here on CopyKat!

Ready to bring the Olive Garden experience home? This salad is the perfect place to start! Pin this recipe for your next Italian dinner night or print it using the recipe card below. If you try it, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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