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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Homemade Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe
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.
Maggie
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!!!!
Katie
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/
Abra
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!
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
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!
Kim | Low Carb Maven
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.