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Copycat Olive Garden Salad

Copycat Olive Garden Salad

This Copycat Olive Garden Salad recipe delivers the refreshing, crisp flavors of the iconic restaurant favorite in under 10 minutes. Combining fresh romaine lettuce, radicchio, shredded carrots, red onions, Kalamata olives, pepperoncini peppers, Parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons, and a tangy, herby homemade Olive Garden-style dressing, this vibrant salad is perfect as a side or light meal. Easy to customize, healthy, and packed with bold flavors, it brings an authentic Olive Garden experience right to your table.

  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, washed and chopped
  • 1 cup radicchio, chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup croutons

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine lettuce and radicchio. Chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces and roughly chop the radicchio. Peel and shred the carrots, slice the red onions thinly, and halve the Kalamata olives and pepperoncini peppers to make mixing easier.
  2. Make the Dressing: In a bowl or jar, combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, minced garlic, dried parsley, dried basil, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is fully blended and emulsified. Let it rest for a few minutes to deepen the flavors.
  3. Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, combine all prepared vegetables and olives. Drizzle with the dressing and toss thoroughly to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if desired.
  4. Add Finishing Touches: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the salad. Add croutons for crunch, then give the salad one gentle final toss before serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly washed and crisp greens to keep the salad vibrant and fresh.
  • Prepare the dressing ahead of time to allow flavors to meld beautifully.
  • Dry all vegetables thoroughly before tossing to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
  • If possible, use homemade croutons for added crunch and flavor.
  • Toss the salad with dressing just before serving to maintain crispness.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers
  • Method: No cook
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free croutons or nuts)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Copycat Olive Garden Salad, Italian salad, side salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, restaurant style salad