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Olive Garden Salad Dressing (+Video)

This homemade copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing tastes even better than the original and the bottled stuff! It works great in pasta salads and as a marinade too!

A CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING RECIPE

I think one of my favorite things to do is to recreate my favorite restaurant meals at home, like with this Olive Garden Salad Dressing. I always say that even though recipes can sometimes come close to those restaurant favorites, I will never say it tastes exactly like what you get in the restaurant but we can get the taste pretty darn close. Also, I know you can totally buy this stuff in the grocery store now but I promise you that this version will taste WAY better.

Copycat Olive Farden Salad and dressing recipe.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

So I prepare the dressing mix first then add all of the other ingredients?

Yes. First you are going to prepare the packet of Good Seasons Italian Dressing just like it tells you to do on the back of the packet. Then you will take that prepared dressing and add the other ingredients listed below to turn this into Olive Garden Salad Dressing.

How can I turn this salad into a whole meal?

If you want the full Olive Garden experience then serve this with my Olive Garden Breadsticks and Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli or Zuppa Toscana!

What other ways can I use this dressing?

This dressing is delicious in pasta salads and as a chicken marinade!

How do I store leftover dressing?

Store unused dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to give the bottle a good shake before using.  

Where do I find the Good Seasons Italian dressing Mix in the store?

If you’ve never seen Good Seasons Italian Dressing before, you can usually find it down the aisle in your grocery store where all the other salad dressings are. The packets are usually near where they keep the packets of ranch dressing. Most stores carry the boxed sets that also come with the salad dressing cruet. See my ingredient image below for reference.

How do I put together the whole Olive Garden style salad?

You will need:
–   1 bag of iceberg lettuce mix
–   6-8 pepperoncini peppers
–   6 ounces of whole black olives
–   ½ red onion, sliced into rings
–   1 Roma tomato, sliced
–   1 cup of croutons
–   ½-1 cup of parmesan cheese, freshly grated
Add the lettuce to a large salad bowl then add the peppers, olives, onion slices, tomatoes, croutons and parmesan to the salad. Drizzle the salad dressing over top and toss to combine, then serve.

a measuring cup of Olive Garden Salad dressing on a tray with a salad in the background.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)

  • Good Seasonings Italian Dressing mix
  • (Ingredients needed to make the dressing mix; oil, water, vinegar)
  • Italian Seasoning
  • salt and pepper
  • sugar
  • garlic powder
  • mayonnaise
  • light extra virgin olive oil
  • white vinegar
  • water
Good Seasonings Italian Dressing, Italian Seasoning, table salt, black pepper, sugar, garlic powder, mayonnaise, olive oil, white vinegar, water.

HOW TO MAKE OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING:

Prepare Good Seasonings Italian Seasonings Dressing as it states on back of packet.

Good Seasonings Packet Italian Dressing - picture of directions to make.

The packet makes just a small bit of dressing. Once prepared, pour dressing in a medium bowl. Then whisk in additional ingredients listed above (starting with the dried Italian Seasoning.)  

Using a whisk, mix all ingredients until mixed thoroughly combined.

At this point you pour it into a container with a lid. Mason jars also work well for this or pour it over your salad and enjoy!

pouring Olive Garden Salad dressing over a salad in a bowl.

CRAVING MORE RECIPES?

Olive Garden Salad Dressing recipe.

Olive Garden Salad Dressing Recipe (+Video)

This homemade copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing tastes even better than the original. It works great in pasta salads and as a marinade too! 
4.93 from 27 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 1 packet Good Seasonings Italian Dressing
  • Ingredients needed to make dressing; oil, water & vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon dried Italian Seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup light extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons water

Instructions

  • In a bowl, prepare Good Seasonings Italian Seasonings Dressing as it states on back of package (mixing with oil, water & vinegar in the measurements given on packet)
  • Once prepared, add the rest of the ingredients listed to the bowl
  • Using a whisk, mix all ingredients until mixed thoroughly combined.
  • Serve with your favorite salad fixings.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • Store unused dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Be sure to give the bottle a good shake before using.
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Calories: 46kcal | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 100mg

Nutritional Disclaimer

“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Credit: Barenaked Chef

Originally published: January 2012
Updated & republished: June 2019

 

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