It is just my reality these days that I just don't eat out anymore. So when I crave a classic like this Olive Garden Italian Salad I have to remake it at home! I mean it is still a great salad, and you'll soon find out, SO easy to whip up at home.
And whether you choose to make your own dressing or use storebought, which I do because why not, and it keeps it authentic, it is always delicious! But do you, I know I often encourage making your own at home, but this is one time I enjoy premade.
Ingredients
All you have to do is look at the salad at the restaurant and you'll see the ingredient list. Iceberg lettuce is the star and is topped with black olives, red onion, tomatoes, croutons, pepperoncini peppers, and parmesan cheese.
Round everything out with a nice drizzle of Olive Garden Dressing and you will have that restaurant feeling right at home. I do also opt for making my own Homemade Croutons, it is super easy to do and just elevates the salad beautifully.
Use the JUMP TO RECIPE button at the top of the post, or scroll to the bottom of the post to see the full recipe card with ingredient measurements and instructions.
Method
I start by adding the chopped iceberg to a large bowl and tossing it with a little dressing. You could use a bag of iceberg salad mix, but I do not like the carrots or cabbage that can be in those so I use only iceberg. Then top the lettuce with all the veggies, cheese, and croutons. Drizzle over some more dressing and toss everything together.
I love this salad because I can prep it early by topping it with all the STUFF and then toss it just as I serve dinner and the meal is complete.
My favorite thing to serve this salad with is my Crispy Parmesan Chicken, it makes for a quick and easy meal. Plus it offers a great balance of the fried chicken cutlet and all the veggies! Cause it's all about balance right? 😛
Notes & Tips
I like to start by dressing the lettuce and tossing it together first. Then add all the toppings and let the salad hang out until you are ready to eat it. Then toss everything together and enjoy!
If you want to get this salad ready earlier, place all the toppings on the lettuce, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge for up to 8 hours. Then add the dressing and toss when ready to eat.
The salad doesn't store very well if there are leftovers. If you think you will have salad left, I suggest letting everyone add the croutons themselves so they don't get soggy. Also, only toss with a little dressing and serve more on the side to keep the lettuce from getting too soggy.
Substitutions
I like to use a big head of iceberg for this recipe. But if you want to be really authentic use a bag lettuce mix that has carrots and cabbage in it too. Though those are usually not chopped well and have big pieces of lettuce core I don't particularly enjoy sifting through. So use a plain head of lettuce and some shredded carrots if you miss them.
If you prefer to make your own dressing, GO for it! I like the premade bottled dressing and keeping it authentic in that way.
I like to think I class this salad up a little by using heirloom tomatoes, but of course, you can use ANY tomato you like. Use them when you can get your hands on them, I can't always, but Roma tomatoes or Camparini are my second favorites for this salad.
Whole pepperoncini peppers are what you know and love about this restaurant's favorite salad. You could also use sliced peppers, I do this when it is all I have left in my fridge, my family really likes these peppers and we go through lots of them!
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📖 Recipe
Italian Salad - Olive Garden Salad Recipe
My reality these days is that I don't eat out anymore. When I crave a classic like this Olive Garden Italian Salad I remake it at home!
Ingredients
- 1 large head of Iceberg Lettuce - about 6 cups
- 1 cup Olive Garden Dressing or Homemade
- 2 cups Heirloom Tomatoes, sliced or diced
- 6-8 each Pepperoncini Peppers
- 1 cup Black Olives, whole + drained
- 1 cup Red Onion, sliced
- 1 cup Garlic Croutons, homemade or store-bought
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese, shredded
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the iceberg with half the dressing.
- Top the lettuce with the tomato, peppers, olives, onions, croutons, and parmesan.
- Toss everything lightly to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
Notes & Tips
I like to start by dressing the lettuce and tossing it together first. Then add all the toppings and let the salad hang out until you are ready to eat it. Then toss everything together and enjoy!
If you want to get this salad ready earlier, place all the toppings on the lettuce, cover it with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge for up to 8 hours. Then add the dressing and toss when ready to eat.
The salad doesn't store very well if there are leftovers. If you think you will have salad left, I suggest letting everyone add the croutons themselves so they don't get soggy. Also, only toss with a little dressing and serve more on the side to keep the lettuce from getting too soggy.
Substitutions
I like to use a big head of iceberg for this recipe. But if you want to be really authentic use a bag lettuce mix that has carrots and cabbage in it too. Though those are usually not chopped well and have big pieces of lettuce core I don't particularly enjoy sifting through. So use a plain head of lettuce and some shredded carrots if you miss them.
If you prefer to make your own dressing, GO for it! I like the premade bottled dressing and keeping it authentic in that way.
I like to think I class this salad up a little by using heirloom tomatoes, but of course, you can use ANY tomato you like. Use them when you can get your hands on them, I can't always, but Roma tomatoes or Camparini are my second favorites for this salad.
In a large bowl, toss the iceberg with half the dressing.
Top the lettuce with the tomato, peppers, olives, onions, croutons, and parmesan.
Toss everything lightly to combine and serve immediately.Whole pepperoncini peppers are what you know and love about this restaurant's favorite salad. You could also use sliced peppers, I do this when it is all I have left in my fridge, my family really likes these peppers and we go through lots of them!
Recommended Products
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Fairwood Way Wooden Salad Bowl Set - 15" Large Wooden Salad Bowl - Extra Large 15" Diameter Rustic Mango Wood Bowl, Salad Servers Included -
OXO Good Grips 3 Piece Squeeze & Pour Silicone Measuring Cup Set
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Shun Classic 7" Hollow Ground Santoku Knife w/Custom Engraving
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John Boos MPL1812125G Chop-N-Slice Select Maple Edge Grain Cutting Board, 18 Inches x 12 Inches x 1.25 Inches
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 134Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 1243mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 4gSugar: 6gProtein: 4g
This is an estimated caloric value, actual numbers may differ based on the ingredients used.
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