Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing

This might be the freshest, most satisfying salad you've ever tossed up in your kitchen. The Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe captures that perfect tangy, herby zing that makes every bite a little celebration of flavor.

A close-up view of a fresh salad in a clear glass bowl on a white marbled surface, showing multiple layers: the bottom layer has dark green leafy lettuce mixed with lighter green romaine lettuce, topped with bright red tomato slices, black olives, and some yellow pepperoncini peppers. Scattered on top are golden brown, small square croutons and a light sprinkling of grated white cheese, with thin slices of purple onion mixed in. Two wooden salad spoons rest diagonally on the bowl's edge. The salad looks fresh and colorful with varied textures and tones, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this salad — it was an instant hit around my table. What I love most is how you get that classic Olive Garden vibe right at home, without hunting down specialty ingredients or fussing for hours. It’s fresh, easy, and totally customizable.

Authentic Flavor: This recipe nails the iconic zingy dressing that really makes the salad pop.
Simple Ingredients: Most come straight from your pantry and fridge, making it super accessible anytime.
Quick to Make: You can mix up the whole salad and dressing in about 25 minutes, perfect for busy nights.
Flexible & Fresh: You can swap veggies or add extras to personalize your salad just the way you like it.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe plays a key role in balancing flavors and textures. Crisp lettuce, crunchy carrots, tangy olives, and the zesty dressing come together for a delightful contrast that keeps you reaching back for more.

Flat lay of chopped iceberg and romaine lettuce, shredded red cabbage, julienned carrots, thinly sliced red onion, whole black olives, two sliced roma tomatoes, a few pepperoncini peppers, a small pile of croutons, a small mound of grated Parmesan cheese, extra virgin olive oil in a small white ceramic bowl, white vinegar in a small white ceramic bowl, water in a small white ceramic bowl, a small heap of grated Romano cheese, a small pile of granulated sugar, a small dollop of mayonnaise, a small amount of Dijon mustard, small piles of Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Lettuce: Combining iceberg and romaine gives you great crunch and a nice mild base that soaks up the dressing well.
Red Cabbage: Adds color and a slight earthiness that brightens the salad visually and in flavor.
Carrots: Julienned for that sweet snap and vibrant orange pop.
Red Onion: Thin slices provide just the right amount of sharpness without overwhelming.
Black Olives: Their briny richness balances the crisp veggies perfectly.
Roma Tomatoes: I always pat them dry to avoid watering down the salad — keeps everything fresh and crisp.
Pepperoncinis: Those little tangy peppers elevate the salad with just a touch of heat and zip.
Croutons: They add welcome crunch; I prefer them fresh and crispy.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is a must for that authentic nuttiness and depth.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Choose a smooth variety; it's the backbone of the dressing.
Zesty Italian Dressing Mix: The star seasoning blend that mimics Olive Garden’s signature taste.
White Vinegar: Adds brightness and tang to awaken your palate.
Grated Romano Cheese: A sharp note that enhances the dressing’s complexity.
Sugar, Mayo & Dijon Mustard: These balance the acidity and help emulsify the dressing for that creamy consistency.
Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Salt & Pepper: Essential aromatics that tie all the flavors together seamlessly.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love mixing this salad up based on whatever’s on hand or to fit the occasion. You can keep it classic or switch things up — it’s all about making it your own!

Variation: Once, I added some chopped fresh basil and a handful of sliced pepperoni for a heartier bite — it felt like a pizza salad and was a smash hit at my dinner party.
Dietary swap: For a lighter twist, try swapping the mayo for Greek yogurt in the dressing — it still emulsifies beautifully and adds a refreshing tang.
Seasonal tweak: In summer, I swap roma tomatoes for juicy heirlooms and add a splash of fresh lemon juice to brighten the dressing.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe

A clear bowl filled with a fresh salad showing the first layer of green leafy lettuce with a mix of light and dark green colors, scattered with bright red tomato slices, shiny black olives, and yellow pepper slices on top. Golden-brown crunchy croutons are spread across the salad, adding texture. A spoon held by a woman's hand is pouring a creamy pale yellow dressing over a red tomato slice in the center of the bowl. In the background, two large wooden salad spoons rest on the edge of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whip Up the Dressing

I like to use a mini food processor or a jar with a tight-fitting lid to mix the dressing ingredients. Combine the olive oil, vinegar, zesty Italian dressing mix, Romano cheese, sugar, mayo, mustard, and seasonings. Either blend or shake vigorously until it’s emulsified and smooth. Then pop it in the fridge while you prep the salad—this lets the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 2: Prep the Veggies

Chop your iceberg and romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, shred the red cabbage, julienne your carrots, and slice the red onions and roma tomatoes. A quick tip: use a paper towel to pat excess moisture off the tomatoes—that way, your salad stays crisp and doesn’t get soggy.

Step 3: Toss and Serve

In a large bowl, combine all the salad ingredients except the dressing, croutons, and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with your desired amount of dressing and toss gently but thoroughly. Don’t dump it all in at once—you can always add more later if you like it extra tangy! Top it off with crunchy croutons and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, then serve immediately.

Top Tip

From my experiments with this recipe, I’ve learned a few key things that really elevate the final salad. Trust me, these tips will save you from soggy lettuce and bland dressing disasters!

Use Freshly Grated Cheese: Grating Parmesan and Romano fresh makes a world of difference—they melt slightly into the dressing and salad, adding that authentic savory punch.
Pat Tomatoes Dry: Removing extra moisture from tomatoes is essential to keep the salad crisp and prevent watering down the flavors.
Choose Smooth Olive Oil: I prefer smooth extra virgin olive oil over robust varieties; it lets the dressing flavors shine instead of overpowering them.
Mix Dressing Just Before Serving: This dressing can thicken in the fridge; let it come to room temp and shake well before drizzling to keep it perfectly emulsified.

How to Serve Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe

A clear glass bowl holds a fresh salad with five distinct layers arranged side by side on a bed of light green lettuce. On the left, there is a pile of golden brown croutons with a crunchy texture. Next to it, several bright yellow pepperoncini peppers sit in a small cluster. To the right of the peppers, a group of shiny black olives adds a dark contrast. Beside the olives, a fan of thinly sliced purple onions offers a soft, smooth texture. On the bottom right, overlapping slices of ripe red tomatoes rest on the lettuce. In the center of the bowl, white grated cheese is sprinkled over the lettuce, blending lightly around the other items. Next to the bowl, a small white dish of grated cheese is placed on a white marbled surface, alongside two wooden salad utensils. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I typically finish mine with a few extra Parmesan shavings and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. Sometimes I toss on a few more pepperoncinis or a handful of sliced green onions for a pop of color and mild pungency that’s simply irresistible.

Side Dishes

This salad is a match made in heaven with my Olive Garden Alfredo recipe or a warm loaf of crusty garlic bread. It’s also a great companion to grilled chicken or shrimp if you want something lighter but still satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this salad in individual clear glass bowls layered with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and croutons for a pretty, colorful effect. You can also stuff the salad inside hollowed-out bell peppers or serve it alongside antipasto platters for an elegant touch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (rare in my house!), keep the salad separate from the dressing and croutons. Store the veggies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Dress just before serving to keep everything crisp.

Freezing

Honestly, freezing this salad isn’t ideal because the fresh vegetables will lose their texture. However, if you make extra dressing, you can freeze the dressing in a sealed container for up to a month and thaw it gently before use.

Reheating

Since this is a fresh salad, reheating isn’t necessary or advised. But if you’re serving it alongside a warm entree, just heat your main dish and enjoy the salad chilled—its contrast is what makes the meal memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the dressing ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dressing actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. Just make sure to shake or blend it again before serving as it may separate.

What’s the best way to keep the salad crisp?

Keep the salad ingredients and dressing separate until just before serving. Also, pat dry the tomatoes and avoid overdressing the lettuce to prevent sogginess.

Can I substitute any ingredients in the salad?

Definitely! Feel free to swap out veggies or try different types of cheese. Just keep the integrity of the zesty Italian dressing, and you’ll still have a great salad.

How long does this salad stay fresh?

Best eaten fresh, but if stored properly (salad and dressing separate), leftovers keep well in the fridge for about 1-2 days.

Final Thoughts

This Olive Garden Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen for good reason — it’s vibrant, quick, and wholly satisfying. Whether you’re serving it up for weeknight dinners or special gatherings, it’s sure to become one of your favorites too. Give it a try—you’ll love how bright and tasty a simple salad can be!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Make It Your Way