Easy Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe For Home Chefs

Recreating the beloved Olive Garden salad dressing at home brings pure culinary magic right to your kitchen table.

Every salad enthusiast knows this creamy, tangy dressing has sparked countless conversations around restaurant-style flavor.

The secret recipe captures that signature zesty blend that makes Olive Garden salad so irresistible.

Home cooks can now replicate this legendary dressing with just a few simple ingredients.

Each drizzle promises a burst of robust Italian-inspired taste that transforms an ordinary salad into something extraordinary.

This homemade version costs a fraction of the restaurant price and delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

Prepare to savor every crisp, refreshing bite of your perfectly dressed greens.

Why You’ll Love This Olive Garden Dressing

• Boost Flavor Fast: Packed with zesty garlic and tangy Parmesan, this recipe transforms plain shrimp into a mouthwatering dish that bursts with incredible taste in minutes.
• Master Healthy Cooking: Air frying delivers a crispy exterior without excess oil, making this recipe a smart choice for health-conscious food lovers who want delicious results.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Serve these seasoned shrimp over pasta, in a salad, or with cocktail sauce, creating endless meal possibilities for quick lunches, dinners, or impressive appetizers.
• Beginner-Friendly Technique: Simple one-bowl seasoning and straightforward air fryer instructions mean even novice cooks can create restaurant-quality shrimp with minimal kitchen skills.

What’s Inside Olive Garden Salad Dressing Copycat

• Mayonnaise: A creamy foundation that provides richness and smooth texture to the salad dressing.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds a tangy and sharp flavor profile to balance the creamy elements.
• Olive Oil: Introduces a subtle fruity note and helps blend the dressing ingredients together.
• Lemon Juice: Provides bright acidity and helps enhance the overall flavor complexity.

• Parsley, Basil, Oregano: Fresh herbs that contribute a vibrant and aromatic Mediterranean-inspired flavor to the dressing.

• Garlic Powder, Salt: Essential seasonings that add depth and enhance the overall taste of the dressing.
• Parmesan Cheese: Optional ingredient that introduces a salty and nutty dimension to the salad dressing.

Making Copycat Olive Garden Dressing at Home

Step 1: Whisk Dressing Ingredients

• Mayonnaise
• Red wine vinegar
• Fresh lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Chopped parsley
• Dried basil
• Dried oregano
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Whisk everything until the mixture becomes smooth and well-integrated, creating a creamy and vibrant dressing that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Transfer and Store

Pour the freshly whisked dressing into a clean salad dressing container or glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Pop it into the refrigerator, where it will happily hang out for up to four weeks.

Give it a quick shake before each use to redistribute the herbs and spices, ensuring maximum flavor in every delightful drizzle.

Helpful Notes for Creamy Olive Garden Dressing

• Use fresh parsley and basil instead of dried herbs for a more vibrant, authentic flavor profile.
• Whisk ingredients thoroughly or use a blender to ensure a creamy, well-incorporated dressing with no lumps.
• Experiment with vinegar-to-oil ratio to find your perfect balance of zesty and smooth notes.
• Swap parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, savory taste.
• Let dressing sit in refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving to allow herbs and spices to meld together completely.

Fun Swaps for Olive Garden Salad Dressing

• Vegan Herb Dressing: Replace mayonnaise with cashew cream, use nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese for a plant-based alternative.
• Greek-Inspired Vinaigrette: Swap red wine vinegar with white wine vinegar, add dried mint, increase olive oil for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Low-Sodium Option: Eliminate added salt, use herbs and spices to enhance taste, choose low-sodium parmesan cheese or omit cheese completely.
• Creamy Avocado Herb Dressing: Blend in ripe avocado for extra creaminess, reduce mayonnaise quantity, add fresh cilantro for a zesty kick.

Best Dishes to Serve With This Dressing

• Elevate Salad Zest: Pair this copycat Olive Garden dressing with crisp romaine lettuce, sliced red onions, and cherry tomatoes for a classic Italian-style salad experience.
• Protein Power Match: Serve alongside grilled chicken breast or pan-seared salmon to complement the dressing's herbaceous and tangy profile, creating a balanced meal.
• Wine Harmony Suggestion: Select a light, crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to echo the dressing's bright, acidic notes and enhance the overall dining pleasure.
• Bread Buddy Boost: Serve with warm garlic breadsticks or toasted ciabatta to soak up extra dressing and provide a delightful textural contrast to the salad.

Keeping Olive Garden Copycat Dressing Fresh Longer

• Seal the dressing in an airtight glass jar or container, keeping it fresh in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
• Always give the dressing a good shake before serving, as natural ingredients might separate during storage.
• Pour the dressing into ice cube trays, freeze solid, then transfer frozen cubes to a freezer bag for preservation up to 3 months.
• Remove desired number of dressing cubes from freezer and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in this Olive Garden salad dressing copycat recipe?

The key ingredients include mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh herbs like parsley and basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and optional parmesan cheese.

• Can I make this dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this dressing in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks, making it perfect for meal prep.

• Is this dressing suitable for vegetarians?

This dressing is vegetarian-friendly, but not vegan due to the mayonnaise and optional parmesan cheese. You can use vegan mayonnaise to make it vegan.

Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Olive Garden salad dressing brings Italian zest to homemade greens with creamy, tangy perfection. Whisked together in minutes, this copycat recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor that elevates your salad from ordinary to extraordinary.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (optional)

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Instructions

1. Gather all dressing ingredients in a compact mixing vessel, ensuring each component is readily accessible.
2. Employ a whisk to thoroughly blend mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and optional parmesan cheese until the mixture achieves a smooth, uniform consistency.
3. Transfer the freshly whisked dressing into a dedicated salad dressing container, ensuring a tight seal.
4. Refrigerate the prepared dressing in an airtight container, which will maintain its robust flavor profile and creamy texture for up to 4 weeks.
5. Before serving, gently shake or stir the dressing to reincorporate any settled ingredients and restore its original vibrant blend.

Notes

• Opt for fresh herbs to elevate the dressing’s flavor profile and enhance its aromatic qualities.
• Adjust the vinegar-to-oil ratio for a tangier or more mellow taste depending on personal preference.
• Try adding a touch of honey or Dijon mustard to create a more complex, balanced dressing.
• For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise to reduce calories while maintaining creaminess.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 140 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg