Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home
Make the best Olive Garden Salad at home with this crispy, fresh, and cozy copycat recipe. After making this many times, I discovered the trick to getting that perfect crunch. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Red White and Blue Deviled Eggs and Thai Peanut Noodle Salad.
Why This Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy homemade croutons
- Tangy, creamy dressing
- Easy to make at home
What You'll Need for Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Romaine lettuce
- Croutons
- Black olives
- Parmesan cheese
- Red onion
- Olive Garden Salad dressing
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Grilled chicken
- Optional: Salami
- Optional: Pepperoni
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Romaine lettuce: Use hearts of romaine for the best crunch.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Easily chop lettuce and make croutons → See on Amazon
- Salad spinner — Dry lettuce for crispier salad → See on Amazon
How to Make Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home
- Prepare lettuce: Wash and dry romaine lettuce. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make croutons: Cut bread into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Make dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Add water to thin if needed.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, croutons, black olives, Parmesan cheese, and red onion. Toss with dressing.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home
- : Use day-old bread for croutons to get the perfect crunch.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overdress the salad. Start with half the dressing and add more to taste.
- : For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or your favorite protein.
Storing & Reheating Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover salad in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Croutons can be made up to 3 days ahead. Dressing can be made up to 1 week ahead.
Freezing Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Best substitution: Use iceberg lettuce as a substitute for romaine.
- Make-ahead: Prepare all ingredients except lettuce and croutons up to 1 day ahead. Assemble just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If croutons are soggy, bake them again at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes to crisp them up.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality olive oil — Enhances the flavor of croutons and dressing → Check price on Amazon
Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Croutons
- Black olives
- Parmesan cheese
- Red onion
Seasonings
- Olive Garden Salad dressing
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Grilled chicken
- Salami
- Pepperoni
Instructions
- Prepare lettuce: Wash and dry romaine lettuce. Chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Make croutons: Cut bread into cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Make dressing: Whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, sugar, and Italian seasoning. Add water to thin if needed.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, croutons, black olives, Parmesan cheese, and red onion. Toss with dressing.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt.
- Best substitution: Use iceberg lettuce as a substitute for romaine.
- Make-ahead: Prepare all ingredients except lettuce and croutons up to 1 day ahead. Assemble just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If croutons are soggy, bake them again at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes to crisp them up.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover salad in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: Croutons can be made up to 3 days ahead. Dressing can be made up to 1 week ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 370
- Protein: 9g
- Fat: 28g
- Carbs: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home FAQs
Yes, prepare all ingredients except lettuce and croutons up to 1 day ahead. Assemble just before serving.
Add water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for making croutons or cooking the salad.
Use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter, tangier dressing.
The base recipe is gluten-free. However, the croutons contain gluten. Omit them or use gluten-free bread to make it gluten-free.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Best Olive Garden Salad Recipe at Home and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
