Homemade Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe – Fresh & Tangy
Crafting the perfect copycat olive garden salad dressing can turn an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure.
Restaurants often guard their secret recipes, but home cooks can now recreate this beloved classic with simple ingredients.
Mediterranean flavors dance through each creamy drop, promising a taste that rivals the original.
Mixing these components becomes an art form of precision and passion.
Fresh herbs and zesty notes bring complexity to a seemingly straightforward dressing.
Whisking together creates a magical blend that transports you straight to an Italian dining experience.
This recipe invites you to master a restaurant-quality condiment right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients for Copycat Salad Dressing
For the Base Dressing:For the Herbs and Seasonings:For the Salad Accompaniments:Instructions to Whip Up This Dressing
Step 1: Blend Flavor Powerhouses
Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and these herbs:Add a sprinkle of salt and grated parmesan cheese for extra zing.
Step 2: Create Creamy Perfection
Whisk all ingredients until they transform into a smooth, creamy dressing with no lumps.
Mix thoroughly to ensure every drop is packed with tangy, herbal goodness.
Step 3: Store and Preserve
Transfer the dazzling dressing into a sealed glass container or mason jar.
Pop it in the refrigerator where it’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to four weeks.
Step 4: Craft the Ultimate Salad Experience
Build your salad with crisp Romaine lettuce as the foundation.
Top with these delightful ingredients:Drizzle your homemade dressing generously and enjoy a restaurant-worthy salad right at home.
Tips That Help This Dressing Shine
Creative Ways to Flavor This Dressing
Perfect Pairings for This Green Dressing
How to Store Salad Dressing Correctly
Store in an airtight glass jar or sealed container for up to 4 weeks in the refrigerator. Keep dressing cold and away from strong-smelling foods.
Keep dressing in the back of the fridge where temperature remains most consistent to maintain freshness and prevent flavor degradation.
Always stir or shake the dressing thoroughly before serving to remix separated ingredients and restore original creamy consistency.
Inspect dressing for any unusual odors, color changes, or mold before using after extended refrigeration to ensure food safety.
FAQs
The recipe is a close copycat but not 100% identical to the restaurant’s secret formula. It captures the key flavors and creamy texture that make the dressing popular.
Yes, you can substitute fresh herbs. Use three times more fresh herbs compared to dried herbs to maintain the same flavor intensity.
You can replace red wine vinegar with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Each will slightly alter the taste but still provide a similar tangy profile.
The recipe contains mayonnaise and parmesan cheese, which are dairy products. For a dairy-free version, use vegan mayonnaise and omit the parmesan cheese.
Reasons to Love This Olive Garden Dressing
This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Olive Garden’s legendary salad dressing comes alive in this homemade version, blending creamy textures with zesty herbs. Italian-inspired flavors dance across your palate, inviting you to savor restaurant-quality goodness right from your kitchen.
Ingredients
Salad Dressing Base:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cheese (Optional):
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Combine all liquid and dry seasonings in a mixing vessel, whisking vigorously until ingredients meld into a smooth, uniform consistency.
- Transfer the freshly prepared dressing into a sealed glass container, ensuring an airtight closure.
- Refrigerate the dressing for optimal flavor preservation, maintaining quality for approximately one month.
- When serving, artfully arrange crisp Romaine lettuce on a plate, garnishing with vibrant red onion slices, ripe tomato wedges, tangy whole pepperoncinis, briny kalamata olives, crunchy croutons, delicate grated Parmesan cheese, and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
- Customize the herbs by using fresh instead of dried for a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more olive oil if the dressing feels too thick, ensuring a smooth, pourable texture.
- Make it dairy-free by omitting the parmesan cheese or using a plant-based alternative that maintains the savory depth.
- Create a lower-calorie version by substituting Greek yogurt for half the mayonnaise, which adds tanginess and reduces overall fat content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 107
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 152 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 1.6 g
- Cholesterol: 9 mg
Ethan Caldwell
Founder & Culinary Innovator
Expertise
Farm-to-table cooking, Seasonal recipe creation, Culinary storytelling, Food photography and styling
Education
The Chef’s Academy (Indianapolis, IN)
Ethan didn’t just fall in love with food, he grew into it, surrounded by fields, farmers’ markets, and family meals that told a story.
After sharpening his skills at The Chef’s Academy, he took his passion straight into the farm-to-table movement, working side-by-side with local growers and seasonal flavors.
He believes every recipe should feel like a walk through a summer market: colorful, fresh, and full of possibility.
Outside the kitchen, Ethan’s idea of a perfect day is hiking mountain trails, digging into heirloom vegetables, and hosting casual dinners where seconds are always encouraged.