This Copycat Olive Garden Salad comes together in about 15 minutes with zero cooking required! That’s right, it’s a no-cook delight that makes for a quick and easy weeknight dinner your family will love! It’s perfect for those nights when you want something light yet satisfying. Grab your chopping board and let’s whip this up!
Ingredients Breakdown
To recreate the mouthwatering Olive Garden Salad experience at home, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Salad Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil: This is the good stuff! It adds richness and depth to our dressing.
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise: For that creamy texture that makes the dressing over-the-top delicious.
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar: This adds a tangy kick!
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice: A splash of citrus flavor, so refreshing!
- 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar: Just a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt: A couple pinches of salt and pepper make all the difference.
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper: Because what’s a salad without a little spice?
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Think of it as a flavor booster, bringing a little Italian flair.
- 1 garlic clove, crushed: Oh, garlic! It adds a depth of flavor that’s simply irresistible.
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese: Lots of flavor here that elevates the dish.
Salad Mix:
- 2 (5 ounce) packages American salad mix: This usually includes leafy greens like iceberg and romaine, plus a little carrot for color.
Additional Toppings:
- 3/4 cup pitted black olives: They add saltiness and a bit of tang.
- 3/4 cup pickled pepperoncini: These kick things up a notch!
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion: Adds crunch and color.
- 2 plum tomatoes, sliced: Juicy and sweet, filling in around the greens.
- 1 (4 1/2 ounce) package large seasoned croutons: These give a satisfying crunch to each bite.
Let’s Get Cooking!
Make the Dressing (5 minutes): In a food processor (or you can just whisk by hand, if you’re feelin’ ambitious), combine the olive oil, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, crushed garlic, and Parmesan. Blend until it’s creamy and well combined. Just remember: the more you blend it, the creamier it gets!You’ll want to get in there until the garlic is aromatic and the Parmesan has melded into this beautiful dressing. It’s like a creamy dream with a savory twist!
Prep the Salad (7 minutes): In a large mixing bowl, toss together the salad mix, black olives, pepperoncini, red onion, and tomato slices. It’s a colorful combination, and it already looks delicious!
Adding Croutons: Oh, here comes the fun part! You can sprinkle in the seasoned croutons, but hold off on mixing just yet…
Toss it All Together (3 minutes): Drizzle the dressing over the mixed ingredients, then gently toss until everything is nicely coated, so every leaf is drenched in that creamy goodness. Let’s let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving, this helps the flavors meld together even more. Just imagine the smells wafting through your kitchen!
And voila! You’ve just recreated a restaurant-worthy Copycat Olive Garden Salad right in your own kitchen. Isn’t that amazing?
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Orzo Salad or the Jennifer Aniston Salad! These are also crowd-pleasers your family will adore.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This Copycat Olive Garden Salad comes together in literally 15 minutes! Perfect for busy weeknights, it requires no cooking, so you can spend more time enjoying dinner with your family and less at the stove!
Customizable
The best part? You can swap out any of the ingredients based on what you like or what you’ve got at home. Not a fan of olives? Leave them out! Love a little extra crunch? Toss in some cucumbers or bell peppers, get creative!
Loaded with Tons of Flavor
The combination of the creamy, tangy dressing and the variety of fresh veggies creates a salad that’s simply bursting with flavor. Seriously, each bite feels like a party in your mouth!
Perfect for Leftovers
This salad is fantastic as leftovers! Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to enjoy it again, so the greens stay fresh. It’s perfect for meal prep!
Serving and Storage Tips
What to Serve With This
This Copycat Olive Garden Salad pairs beautifully with any Italian dish, think spaghetti, lasagna, or even grilled chicken! It’s a great complement to hearty meals.
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (though they rarely last long in my house), store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge, but keep that dressing separate so it doesn’t get soggy. It should last about 2-3 days in the fridge.
Reheating Instructions
This salad is best served cold, so no reheating needed! Just give it a little stir if it’s been in the fridge to refresh it before serving.
Freezer Friendly
Not really freezer-friendly due to its fresh ingredients, but worry not! This salad can be assembled quickly as needed.
This Copycat Olive Garden Salad is not only easy to whip up but also provides a satisfying crunch and flavor that your family will love. The best part is you’re in control of the ingredients, making it perfect for using up what you have on hand. So, whether you’re serving it as a side at dinner or as a light lunch, this salad is just the thing to brighten your day!
Isn’t it wonderful how food can bring us together? So go ahead, gather your loved ones, and enjoy this delightful creation! Happy cooking! And For more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.
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Easy Copycat Olive Garden Salad
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This easy Copycat Olive Garden Salad comes together in 15 minutes with no cooking! A light, fresh dish your family will love.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 (5 ounce) packages American salad mix
- 3/4 cup pitted black olives
- 3/4 cup pickled pepperoncini
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 2 plum tomatoes, sliced
- 1 (4 1/2 ounce) package large seasoned croutons
Instructions
- In a food processor, combine the olive oil, mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, crushed garlic, and Parmesan. Blend until creamy and well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, toss together the salad mix, black olives, pepperoncini, red onion, and tomato slices.
- Sprinkle in the seasoned croutons without mixing just yet.
- Drizzle the dressing over the mixed ingredients and gently toss until everything is nicely coated. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to swap out any ingredients based on your preferences or availability.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg