Description
This Olive Garden Salad Copycat recipe recreates the fresh, vibrant flavors of the popular restaurant salad. Featuring chopped lettuce, colorful vegetables, tangy pepperoncinis, and a homemade zesty Italian dressing, this salad is perfect for a light meal or as a side dish. The dressing is emulsified to deliver a perfect balance of tang, spice, and creaminess, all topped with crunchy croutons and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 8 cups chopped lettuce
- 1/4 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1/4 cup carrots, julienned
- 1/4 cup red onion
- 1/2 cup black olives
- 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
- 1/3 cup pepperoncinis
- 1 cup croutons
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 packet Zesty Italian Dressing Mix (0.7 oz)
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon grated Romano cheese
- 3 teaspoons sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients—extra virgin olive oil, Zesty Italian Dressing Mix, white vinegar, water, Romano cheese, sugar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder—in a food processor or a jar. Blend or shake vigorously until the mixture is fully emulsified and smooth. Refrigerate the dressing to chill and develop flavors.
- Prep the vegetables: Wash and chop 8 cups of lettuce. Shred red cabbage, julienne carrots, and slice red onion. Also, slice the Roma tomatoes and pat them dry carefully to remove excess moisture, which helps keep the salad crisp.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the chopped lettuce, shredded red cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced red onion, black olives, sliced tomatoes, and pepperoncinis to create a colorful and flavorful base.
- Add dressing and toss: Drizzle your desired amount of the chilled zesty Italian dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat the vegetables evenly with the dressing without bruising them.
- Finish and serve: Top the dressed salad with crunchy croutons and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese to add texture and savoriness. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- For best texture, pat the tomatoes dry to prevent sogginess.
- Adjust the amount of dressing according to your taste preferences.
- You can substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter dressing.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan and Romano cheese for best flavor.
- Serve the salad immediately after adding croutons to keep them crispy.
