The Olive Garden Salad is one of my favorite menu items besides the Minestrone, of course. The salad has the perfect mix of greens and vegetables, and the pepperoncinis are so delicious, I like to ask for extra. However, with this recipe, I can make my own version of the Olive Garden salad at home with as many pepperoncinis as I can handle! The homemade Italian dressing is an excellent addition as well, and because it’s low in calories, it fits with most diets.
This salad complements Italian dishes such as pasta, chicken dishes, or soups. However, if you’d rather, you can add a protein of your choice to the salad, and enjoy it as a light but filling lunch. We would recommend using fresh cracked pepper and freshly grated parmesan for that authentic Olive Garden taste, but the salad tastes delicious with any ingredients you have on hand.
Once all the ingredients are mixed, you’ll probably want to finish it the same day so the lettuce doesn’t wilt, but the Italian dressing will last in the refrigerator for a few days.
Below this recipe, we’ve included a couple of tips and variation options, and we’d love to hear your favorite veggie additions.
Olive Garden Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 1 head romaine lettuce
- 1/2 red onion, sliced and rings separated
- 1/2 can extra large black olives
- 10 pepperoncini peppers
- 3-4 roma tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup croutons
- freshly grated parmesan cheese
For the Dressing
- 1 oz Italian Dressing Mix package
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/8 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 3 tsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
Instructions
For the Salad
- In a large serving bowl, mix together iceberg and romaine lettuce.
- Add in tomatoes, olives, red onion and pepperoncinis.
- Top with croutons and freshly grated parmesan cheese.
For the Dressing
- Mix all dressing ingredients together in a bowl and whisk thoroughly. Chill the dressing until you're ready to pour it over your salad.
Notes
- If you'd like to add a bit of protein to your salad, you can top it with grilled chicken, shrimp or steak.
- If you're looking to add a vegetarian protein option, try adding 1/2 cup of canned chickpeas or white beans.
- To spice it up, you could add roasted red peppers.
Are you looking for other healthy food options? Check out our list of 7 quick, delicious fast-food chains that offer health-conscious menu items. You could even use one of these food delivery apps to bring it right to your door.
