Olive Garden Salad

There’s something truly magical about a salad that can transport you back to a lively family dinner at your favorite restaurant, even when you’re cozily at home. My Olive Garden Salad recipe does exactly that—offering a delightful mix of fresh, vibrant ingredients that sing with flavor and nostalgia. Imagine sitting around the table with loved ones, sharing stories while the tangy dressing brings everyone’s taste buds to life. This salad is more than just a side dish; it’s a centerpiece for creating cherished memories. As you toss the crisp iceberg lettuce with juicy Roma tomatoes and those irresistible pepperoncini peppers, you’ll feel the joy of crafting something simple yet profoundly satisfying. The extra virgin olive oil dressing, with its hint of garlic and Italian seasoning, is like a warm hug from the past, infusing each bite with love and a touch of elegance. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe promises ease, comfort, and a taste of home.

Why This Recipe Should Be on Your Table

This Olive Garden Salad captures the heart of Italian-American dining, bringing a unique twist to your everyday meals. Here’s why it deserves a spot on your table:

1. Nostalgic Comfort: This salad transports you to the cozy booths of Olive Garden, filled with laughter and endless breadsticks, right in your own dining room. It’s a taste of those carefree dining experiences that linger fondly in our memories.

2. Flavor Explosion: The combination of fresh vegetables, tangy dressing, and savory parmesan cheese offers a burst of flavors that satisfy every palate. The balance of tangy and savory tones creates a symphony that dances on the tongue, ensuring each forkful is as delightful as the last.

3. Versatile Delight: Perfect as a side dish or even a light meal, this salad pairs beautifully with various main dishes or can stand alone for a refreshing lunch. Whether you choose to enjoy it with a hearty pasta dish or as a midday meal, its adaptability is a true blessing for any cook.

4. Quick and Easy: With simple steps and readily available ingredients, you can prepare this salad in no time, making it ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings. In under 15 minutes, you can have a gourmet experience ready to be shared with friends and family, allowing you more time to enjoy the company of loved ones.

Kitchen Tools to Make This Recipe Easy Peasy

To whip up this delightful salad, you won’t need much—just a few trusty kitchen tools, much like the ones my grandma used when teaching me the joy of homemade meals:

• Large Serving Bowl: Perfect for tossing and serving the salad in style, a large bowl ensures that every ingredient is evenly coated with the delicious dressing, making each bite balanced and flavorful.

• Small Mixing Bowl or Mason Jar: Ideal for mixing the dressing ingredients thoroughly. A mason jar is particularly useful as you can easily store leftover dressing in it for future salads, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

• Whisk or Jar Lid: A whisk for blending the dressing or a jar lid for shaking it to perfection. Shaking the dressing in a jar is not only efficient but also fun, allowing you to involve little ones in the cooking process.

• Sharp Knife: Essential for chopping veggies like lettuce and slicing those juicy tomatoes. A good knife makes the preparation process smoother and more enjoyable, reducing the effort required to achieve perfectly sliced vegetables.

• Measuring Spoons and Cups: To ensure all your ingredients are just right, especially for the dressing. Accurate measurements are crucial for achieving the perfect balance of flavors in this salad.

How to Make This Recipe Easy Peasy

Ingredients

Salad

• 6 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup whole pitted black olives, drained
• 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 medium firm Roma tomatoes, sliced
• 1 cup seasoned croutons
• 6 whole pepperoncini peppers
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese, fresh grated

Dressing

• ⅔ cup olive oil, extra virgin
• ⅓ cup white wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons garlic, fresh minced
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Using a large serving bowl, layer 3 cups of the chopped lettuce, ½ cup of the black olives, ½ cup of the sliced red onion, ½ of the sliced tomatoes, and ½ cup of the croutons. The layering ensures that every serving has a bit of each ingredient, providing a balanced flavor profile in every bite.

2. Layer the remaining lettuce, black olives, sliced red onion, sliced tomatoes, and croutons. This step allows the salad to maintain its structural integrity, ensuring that the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout.

3. Lay the pepperoncini peppers on top of the salad. These vibrant peppers not only add a pop of color but also an exciting hint of heat that complements the dressing beautifully.

4. Evenly sprinkle the grated parmesan on top of the salad. Set the salad aside. The cheese adds a salty richness that enhances the overall taste, making the salad truly indulgent.

5. Using either a small mixing bowl and a whisk, or a quart-sized mason jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, water, mayonnaise, sugar, fresh minced garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. If using the bowl and whisk, whisk until the dressing is well combined. If using the mason jar, tightly screw on the lid and shake until the ingredients are completely incorporated. Shaking is an efficient way to emulsify the dressing, ensuring a smooth, creamy consistency that clings perfectly to the salad ingredients.

6. Immediately pour the dressing over the top of the salad. Serve immediately. This ensures that the salad remains crisp and vibrant, avoiding any sogginess that could result from the dressing soaking in for too long.

Difficulty: Easy • Cuisine: Italian-American • Preparation Time: 15 minutes • Cooking Time: 0 minutes • Total Time: 15 minutes • Calories: 250 • Servings: 4

Note: For a spicier kick, feel free to adjust the red pepper flakes to your taste. The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility, allowing you to tailor it to your preferences or the preferences of your guests.

Health and Flavor Benefits of Ingredients

This Olive Garden Salad not only promises delightful flavors but also comes with some surprising benefits:

• Iceberg Lettuce: Provides a refreshing crunch with a low-calorie content, perfect for guilt-free indulgence. Its high water content helps keep you hydrated while adding bulk to your meal without adding significant calories.

• Olive Oil: Rich in healthy fats, it adds a silky texture to the dressing while supporting heart health. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, making this salad both delicious and nourishing.

• Roma Tomatoes: Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, they bring a juicy sweetness that complements the salad’s tang. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been linked to numerous health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease.

• Garlic: Known for its immune-boosting properties, it enhances the savory depth of the dressing. Garlic not only adds a robust flavor but also offers numerous health benefits, including improved cholesterol levels and antibacterial effects.

Tasty Pairings to Serve with This Easy Peasy Dish

This Olive Garden Salad is a versatile companion to various beverages and dishes, making it perfect for any occasion:

• Grilled Chicken: The smoky flavor of grilled chicken pairs beautifully with the fresh, tangy notes of the salad. This classic pairing creates a wholesome meal that’s satisfying yet light.

• Pasta Dishes: Serve alongside a creamy Alfredo or a rich marinara pasta for a complete Italian-inspired meal. The salad’s crispness and acidity balance the richness of pasta dishes, creating a harmonious dining experience.

• Chilled White Wine: A crisp white wine enhances the salad’s flavors, making it a celebratory dish for special occasions. The wine’s acidity complements the tangy dressing, elevating the overall meal.

• Garlic Breadsticks: Perfect for soaking up any leftover dressing, these breadsticks complement the salad’s Italian roots. The combination of warm, buttery breadsticks and the refreshing salad is sure to be a hit at any gathering.

Storage Tips and How to Enjoy Leftovers the Easy Peasy Way

To keep your Olive Garden Salad fresh and delightful, store any undressed portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep the dressing separate and add just before serving to maintain crispness. This simple step ensures that the salad remains vibrant and appealing, even if prepared ahead of time.

If you have leftovers, transform them into a hearty wrap by adding some grilled chicken or turkey slices. Simply roll everything into a tortilla, and you’ve got a quick, tasty lunch ready to go! This creative use of leftovers not only saves time but also reduces waste, allowing you to enjoy the delicious flavors in a new and exciting way.

In the heart of every home is the kitchen, where meals come alive with love and stories. This Olive Garden Salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a reminder of the simple joys of cooking and sharing meals with those we hold dear. As you serve this dish, may it bring warmth to your table and create moments worth savoring.

Olive Garden Salad

This classic Olive Garden Salad is a fresh and delicious salad that pairs perfectly with any Italian meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 250

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Salad

• 6 cups iceberg lettuce chopped
• 1 cup whole pitted black olives drained
• 1 cup red onion thinly sliced
• 4 medium Roma tomatoes sliced
• 1 cup seasoned croutons
• 6 whole pepperoncini peppers
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese fresh grated

Dressing

• 2/3 cup olive oil extra virgin
• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons garlic fresh minced
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1.5 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
• 0.5 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Equipment

• Large Serving Bowl
• Whisk
• Mason Jar

Method

 

1. Using a large serving bowl, layer 3 cups of the chopped lettuce, 1/2 cup of the black olives, 1/2 cup of the sliced red onion, 1/2 of the sliced tomatoes, and 1/2 cup of the croutons.
2. Layer the remaining lettuce, black olives, sliced red onion, sliced tomatoes, and croutons.
3. Lay the pepperoncini peppers on top of the salad.
4. Evenly sprinkle the grated parmesan on top of the salad. Set the salad aside.
5. Using either a small mixing bowl and a whisk, or a quart-sized mason jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, white wine vinegar, water, mayonnaise, sugar, fresh minced garlic, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. If using the bowl and whisk, whisk until the dressing is well combined. If using the mason jar, tightly screw on the lid and shake until the ingredients are completely incorporated.
6. Immediately pour the dressing over the top of the salad. Serve immediately.

Notes

This salad is best served fresh. You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time but wait to toss with dressing until just before serving.