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    Home » Sauces, Dressings, Dips, Pickles, Flavored Salts » Homemade Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe

    Homemade Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe

    June 4, 2019 Updated: September 15, 2020 By Katie Crenshaw 5 Comments

    Recipe Card Recipe Video
    This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe is better than the restaurant version. It is full of flavor and you can make it in 3 minutes! #olivegarden #aforkstale
    This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe is better than the restaurant version. It is full of flavor and you can make it in 3 minutes! #olivegarden #aforkstale
    This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe is better than the restaurant version. It is rich, creamy, and full of flavor. It is so easy to make, you can whip it up in just 3 minutes!

    This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe is better than the restaurant version. It is full of flavor and you can make it in 3 minutes!

    Two salads to the side with a large bottle of salad dressing in a mason jar to the right.

    My husband's family loves Olive Garden.

    When we go there, I am a stickler for ordering their soup and salad.

    I love their salads with the delicious dressing and their Zuppa Toscana.  Recently I shared a post on how to make a low carb crock pot version.

    It has the same great taste with less guilt. You can check it out here: Healthy Crockpot Low Car Zuppa Toscana. 

    You can buy Olive Garden Salad Dressing in the store.

    However, the store bought version NEVER tastes the same as the salad dressing they serve on the salads at Olive Garden.

    This is why I was determined to try to develop a homemade Olive Garden dressing recipe.

    It is much better than the store bottled version.

    What ingredients do you need?

    This copycat Olive Garden salad dressing recipe is actually semi-homemade.

    ingredients for copycat olive garden salad dressing

    I use a packaged Good Seasonings Italian Dressing mix to make this. This stuff is really tasty and makes this dressing recipe very easy. Plus, it gives it that Olive Garden Salad Dressing taste.

    You will also need the following ingredients:

    • olive oil
    • white wine vinegar
    • sugar
    • water
    • oregano
    • garlic powder
    • mayonnaise
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Note: What makes my recipe version better than the original restaurant version is I use olive oil and white wine vinegar. It gives the dressing a little more richness and flavor.

    Most other copycat versions use vegetable oil and regular vinegar.

    I prefer to use olive oil in most of my cooking for the taste and health benefits.

    You can however use vegetable oil if you prefer.

    Note: If you do not want to use the Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix, and would rather make your own here is a homemade recipe from the Budget Diet.

    Olive Garden Salad Dressing in a mason jar with dressing spilling out of the side of the jar

    How do you make it?

    This recipe is wicked easy! You throw all of the ingredients in a food processor of blender and blend away......

    The end result is an incredible salad dressing.

    The pulsing from the food processor and blender emulsifies the dressing. This is what makes it so creamy.

    For this reason, I do not suggest hand mixing the dressing. Hand mixing won't make it as thick and creamy.

    *This post contains affiliate links.

    Note: The Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY 14-Cup Food Processor, Brushed Stainless Steel and Cuisinart BDH-2 Blade and Disc Holder Bundle is my favorite food processor for the blending, grating, and chopping. 

    Olive Garden Salad Dressing in a jar with a spoon full of dressing in front of the jar

    How long does it last?

    Because this dressing uses mayonnaise, it is best to use within 1 week. Store in an airtight container refrigerated.

    What goes in an Olive Garden Salad?

    I use this copycat Olive Garden Salad dressing on any kind of salad, but if you want to make a true copy cat Olive Garden Salad, this is what you need:

    • iceberg lettuce
    • small red onion sliced paper thin
    • sliced roma tomatoes
    • pitted black olives
    • mild pepperoncini peppers (I always add extra because I love them so!)
    • Italian seasoned croutons
    • freshly grated parmesan cheese
    • freshly ground pepper
    • Olive Garden Salad Dressing

    This dressing delicious on EVERYTHING.... from salads, pastas, wraps, sandwiches, and meat marinades.

    It really does take about 3 minutes to make. Try it yourself. You will love it.

    Looking for other homemade salad dressings? Try:

    • DIY Ranch Seasoning Mix
    • Creamy Parmesan Dressing
    • Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette 
    • Homemade Chunky Blue Cheese Salad Dressing
    • 20 Incredibly Delicious Homemade Salad Dressing Recipe Roundup

    Please leave me a comment below if you make this dressing, and tell me what you thought about it. I would love to hear back, and so would my readers.

    Also post your picture of your salad dressing on Instagram or Facebook, and tag @aforkstale with #aforkstale hashtags! I will share with my followers! xoxo!

    This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe is better than the restaurant version. It is full of flavor and you can make it in 3 minutes!

    Homemade Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe

    This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe is better than the restaurant version. It is full of flavor & so easy, you can make it in 3 minutes!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Save Recipe Saved! Rate
    Course: Salad Dressing
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 155kcal
    Author: Katie Crenshaw

    Ingredients

    • .7oz dry packet of Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix
    • ¾ cup olive oil
    • ¼ cup white wine vinegar
    • ¼ cup water
    • ½ tsp sugar
    • ½ tsp oregano
    • ½ tsp garlic powder
    • ½ tsp salt
    • ½ tsp pepper
    • 1 tbs mayonnaise

    Instructions

    • In a food processor or blender, mix everything until completely blended and mayonnaise has no clumps. 
    • Keep refrigerated.

    Video

    Notes

    Notes:  The pulsing from the food processor and blender emulsifies the dressing. This is what makes it so creamy. For this reason, I do not suggest hand mixing the dressing. Hand mixing won't make it as thick and creamy.

    Nutrition- Nutrition info is based on estimation only.

    Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 0g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 126mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe? I want to see it!Mention @aForksTale or tag #aForksTale!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Maggie

      December 01, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      I'm going to use light mayonnaise and am trying to recalculate the nutritional information based on that ingredient. I assume the nutritional info you provided is for a 2-tbsp serving, right? How many 2-tbsp. servings does this recipe make? Thank you!!!!

    2. Katie

      May 17, 2017 at 10:10 pm

      I only use one tablespoon. It is a vinaigrette similar to Olive Garden's Italian Dressing. I will say this, if I just shake it in the jar when I first make it, it doesn't look as creamy as the picture. But if I put it in the blender and pulse it, it mixes perfectly and creamy like the picture. That is how I made it. It will stay pretty thick and creamy even after refrigeration also with just a few shakes... Hope that helps. With that said, if you are looking for a true creamy dressing, then you will love my Creamy Parmesan Dressing. That one is very simple to make also. https://www.aforkstale.com/creamy-parmesan-salad-dressing/

    3. Abra

      April 30, 2017 at 12:44 am

      I haven't been to an Olive Garden in probably about 15 years but the only thing I would ever want to order there is the salad! I love that dressing. Thanks for posting!

    4. Elaine @ Dishes Delish

      April 25, 2017 at 10:51 pm

      5 stars
      I too am not a fan of store bought dressings, but will eat them if they are natural and don't have a lot of sugar in them. This dressing looks so delicious!

    5. Kim | Low Carb Maven

      April 24, 2017 at 6:18 pm

      5 stars
      Must. Make. This. Dressing. I'm a big salad lover and I can't imagine another salad with out this dressing, Katie. Thanks so much for sharing.

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