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Craving that famous Olive Garden house salad? This easy copycat recipe has all the fresh, tangy flavors you love without leaving your kitchen. Quick to toss together and always a crowd favorite, it’s the perfect side for busy weeknights or Italian night at home.
The Perfect Copycat Olive Garden Salad
I came up with this salad years ago, and for the longest time, I didn’t even share it. It just felt too easy! But that’s exactly why I keep coming back to it. With a few smart shortcuts, it comes together in no time, and it’s the one I pull out when I’m hosting friends or need a quick weeknight dinner that everyone will enjoy.
It always reminds me of sitting around the table at Olive Garden, passing that big, clear bowl of their famous house salad before the meal. There’s just something comforting about those simple ingredients tossed together with that tangy Italian dressing.
And that’s what makes this the perfect copycat recipe for you, too; it’s fresh, quick, and completely stress-free. Whether you’re pulling dinner together after a busy day or serving a crowd, this salad checks all the boxes: simple ingredients, familiar flavors, and something everyone at the table will happily eat.
Olive Garden Copycat Salad Ingredients
| Ingredient | What It Does | Swap Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| Salad Mix (garden or classic) | Creates the crisp, classic Olive Garden base with iceberg lettuce, carrots, and cabbage. | Use freshly chopped iceberg or romaine; mix with shredded carrots and shredded purple cabbage. |
| Roma Tomatoes | Adds juicy, fresh flavor and color. | Cherry or grape tomatoes, or any firm slicing tomato |
| Red Onion | Brings a little sharpness and crunch. | Sweet onion for milder flavor, or leave out if sensitive to onion |
| Black Olives | Adds briny, earthy flavor. | Kalamata or green olives, or skip if not a fan |
| Pepperoncini | Gives that classic tangy zip. | Banana peppers for a milder option |
| Croutons | Brings crunch and a little buttery flavor. | Use store-bought Olive Garden Brand Croutons, Homemade Croutons, or gluten-free croutons |
| Parmesan Cheese | Adds saltiness and richness. | Romano or Asiago cheese, or leave out for dairy-free |
| Olive Garden Dressing | Ties everything together with zesty flavor. | Olive Garden’s bottled dressing or make my easy homemade Olive Garden Italian dressing. |
How to Make Olive Garden Salad
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
Step 1: Toss the salad base together
In a large bowl, combine the salad mix, sliced tomatoes, red onion, and black olives.
Step 2: Add toppings
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, then top with croutons and pepperoncini.
Step 3: Dress and serve
When ready to serve, shake the dressing well and toss with the salad—or serve it on the side if you prefer.
Making Olive Garden Copycat Salad Ahead
If you’re prepping for a dinner party or just trying to stay ahead of a busy weeknight, this salad is super make-ahead friendly:
You can make it up to 1 day in advance. Store everything in the fridge, and give it a quick toss before adding the dressing and croutons.
Assemble the salad base (lettuce, tomatoes, onion, olives, pepperoncini, and parmesan) and store it in a large bowl covered with a lid or plastic wrap. Tip: I like to place a paper towel in the bowl to draw out any excess moisture.
Keep croutons and dressing separate until just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Tips For Making The Olive Garden House Salad
Here are a few helpful tips from my kitchen to yours:
- Use pre-washed salad mix to save time—it’s a busy mom’s best friend! If you want to make your own, you will need about 6 cups of chopped iceberg lettuce, 1 cup of shredded carrots, and 1 cup of shredded purple cabbage.
- Slice onions super thin for a milder bite. A quick soak in cold water helps if they’re too sharp.
- Don’t skip the pepperoncini! They add that signature tang and just the right amount of zip.
- Chill your salad bowl for 10–15 minutes before assembling. It keeps everything crisp and refreshing.
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How to Store Copycat Olive Garden Salad
If you have leftovers (which isn’t likely!), here’s how to keep them fresh:
- An undressed salad will last 2–3 days in the refrigerator if stored in an airtight container.
- If already dressed, it’s best eaten the same day. The dressing will soften the lettuce and croutons over time.
- Croutons are best stored separately in a resealable bag at room temperature.
What to Serve With Olive Garden Salad
This salad has quickly become a hit with family and friends. I always pair it with my Copycat Olive Garden Dressing and a basket of Easy Copycat Garlic Breadsticks, just like at the restaurant.
If you want to go the classic soup and salad route, try it alongside my Zuppa Toscana or Pasta Fagioli Soup. Both are cozy and comforting, making a full meal when served with this crisp salad.
For a heartier option, serve it with my Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo, Ultimate Baked Spaghetti, Crock Pot Italian Meatballs, or my Homemade Spaghetti Meat Sauce. You can also toss your favorite pasta with my Homemade Pesto or bake up a pan of my Delicious Baked Shells. Any of these will give you that full Italian-inspired meal everyone loves.
And don’t forget pizza night! This salad is the perfect side to my Homemade No-Rise Pizza Dough—a quick and delicious dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
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Olive Garden House Salad
Ingredients
- 24 ounces bag Garden or Classic Salad Mix*, iceberg lettuce, carrots, purple cabbage
- 3 medium roma tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup pepperoncini
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 cup large black olives, drained
- 1 cup croutons
- ½ cup shredded or grated Parmesan Cheese
- olive garden salad dressing, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl toss together salad mix, tomatoes, onions, and olives.
- Top with parmesan, croutons, and pepperocinis.
- When ready to serve, shake dressing to incorporate. Then, toss the salad with homemade olive garden dressing just before serving (you can also serve dressing on the side if desired). Enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
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