Have you ever wished you could bring the magic of Olive Garden Salad Dressing into your own kitchen? This copycat recipe is here to make that dream come true! It’s tangy, creamy, and bursting with Italian flavors, just like the original. Perfect for drizzling over fresh greens or using as a marinade, this recipe is a must-have for Olive Garden fans.
Homemade Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe
This copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing recipe delivers the same zesty, garlicky, and herbaceous flavors you love at the restaurant, with the added bonus of being homemade. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or elevating your weeknight salad game, this dressing is your secret weapon.
Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe
This recipe stands out because it’s quick, easy, and uses simple pantry ingredients. The perfect blend of red wine vinegar, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasonings creates a taste so authentic, it’ll transport you straight to an Olive Garden table. Plus, making it at home means you can tweak it to suit your dietary needs, like creating a healthier or vegan version. It’s versatile enough to use beyond salads—think marinades or sandwich spreads!
What You’ll Need to Make This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base and balances the tanginess.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and blends the flavors beautifully.
- Red wine vinegar: Provides the signature zesty tang.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory, umami flavor that’s key to the recipe.
- Lemon juice: Brightens up the dressing.
- Italian seasoning: A perfect mix of oregano, basil, and thyme for authentic Italian flavor.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the dressing with mild garlicky goodness.
- Sugar: Balances the acidity and enhances the overall taste.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste.
Optional substitutions: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter option, or nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan for a vegan version.
How to make Olive Garden dressing
● Combine the base ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, and red wine vinegar until smooth. This forms the creamy and tangy foundation of your dressing.
● Add the flavor boosters: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and sugar. Make sure the tastes are spread out evenly by mixing well.
● Season to perfection: Taste your dressing and add salt and black pepper as needed. Adjust the sugar or lemon juice to achieve your preferred balance of tangy and sweet.
● Chill before serving: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together for that authentic Olive Garden taste.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 160mg | Potassium: 5mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.1mg
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: None
Course: Dressing
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 6
Recipe Tips for Perfect Olive Garden Salad Dressing
- Emulsify properly: Whisk thoroughly or use a blender to create a smooth, well-combined dressing.
- Use fresh ingredients: Freshly grated Parmesan and a high-quality olive oil make all the difference.
- Customize to taste: Adjust the garlic, sugar, and Italian seasoning to match your flavor preferences.
- Double the batch: This dressing stores well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Experiment with uses: Beyond salads, try it as a dip for breadsticks or a marinade for grilled chicken.
Storage and Freezing
- Refrigeration: Store the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Shake well before each use.
- Freezing: While it’s not ideal to freeze creamy dressings, you can freeze it in small portions for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge and whisk to restore the texture.
Serving Ideas for Olive Garden Salad Dressing
- Classic Garden Salad: Toss it with a mix of romaine, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, black olives, and croutons.
- Grilled Veggie Salad: Drizzle it over char-grilled zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant for a smoky twist.
- Pasta Salad: Use it as a dressing for cold pasta mixed with fresh veggies and mozzarella.
- Marinated Chicken: Coat chicken breasts in this dressing before grilling for juicy, flavorful results.
- Antipasto Platter: Serve it as a dip for breadsticks or alongside cured meats, cheeses, and pickled vegetables.
- Caprese Salad: Drizzle over fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil for a tangy kick.
- Wraps and Sandwiches: Spread it on wraps or sandwiches for added zest.
This Olive Garden salad dressing recipe captures the bold and tangy flavors loved by fans of the restaurant’s iconic salads. Made with simple pantry ingredients like olive oil, mayonnaise, and Italian seasoning, it’s an easy homemade vinaigrette that rivals the original. Perfect for tossing with a classic house salad, pairing with comfort food favorites, or even as a vegetable dip, this dressing is versatile and quick to prepare. Store it in the fridge for up to a week and enjoy restaurant-quality flavors at home.
FAQs
What salad dressing do they use at Olive Garden?
Olive Garden uses its signature Italian dressing, known for its zesty and tangy flavor, on their famous house salad.
Why is Olive Garden Italian dressing so good?
The secret lies in its perfect balance of acidity, creaminess, and herbs, creating a flavor that complements any dish.
What are the ingredients in Olive Garden light dressing?
The light version includes fewer calories but retains similar flavors with ingredients like water, vinegar, oil, Parmesan, and seasonings.
Is the bottled Olive Garden dressing the same as the restaurant?
While similar, the bottled version may have slight variations to accommodate shelf life and packaging requirements.
If you enjoyed this recipe, check out my Copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce or other Copycat Salad Dressing Recipes to bring restaurant-style flavors to your table!
Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe Card
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: Creates a creamy base and balances the tanginess.
- Olive oil: Adds richness and blends the flavors beautifully.
- Red wine vinegar: Provides the signature zesty tang.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a savory umami flavor that’s key to the recipe.
- Lemon juice: Brightens up the dressing.
- Italian seasoning: A perfect mix of oregano basil, and thyme for authentic Italian flavor.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the dressing with mild garlicky goodness.
- Sugar: Balances the acidity and enhances the overall taste.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste.
Instructions
- Combine the base ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, olive oil, and red wine vinegar until smooth. This forms the creamy and tangy foundation of your dressing.
- ● Add the flavor boosters: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and sugar. Make sure the tastes are spread out evenly by mixing well.
- ● Season to perfection: Taste your dressing and add salt and black pepper as needed. Adjust the sugar or lemon juice to achieve your preferred balance of tangy and sweet.
- ● Chill before serving: Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld together for that authentic Olive Garden taste.
Video
Notes
- Emulsify properly: Whisk thoroughly or use a blender to create a smooth, well-combined dressing.
- Use fresh ingredients: Freshly grated Parmesan and a high-quality olive oil make all the difference.
- Customize to taste: Adjust the garlic, sugar, and Italian seasoning to match your flavor preferences.
- Double the batch: This dressing stores well in the fridge, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Experiment with uses: Beyond salads, try it as a dip for breadsticks or a marinade for grilled chicken.
Storage and Freezing :
- Refrigeration: Store the dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. Shake well before each use.
- Freezing: While it’s not ideal to freeze creamy dressings, you can freeze it in small portions for up to one month. Thaw in the fridge and whisk to restore the texture.
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