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Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 112 reviews

This Copycat Olive Garden Salad Recipe perfectly replicates the fresh, tangy, and savory salad served at Olive Garden restaurants. Featuring crisp romaine lettuce, pepperoncini peppers, cherry tomatoes, black olives, grated parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons, and a zesty Italian dressing, it’s an ideal light side or starter that complements any Italian meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 head romaine or iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup croutons
  • Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup Olive Garden Italian Dressing (store-bought)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Lettuce: Chop the romaine or iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place them into a large salad bowl.
  2. Slice Peppers and Tomatoes: Slice the pepperoncini peppers into rings and halve the cherry tomatoes, then add them to the bowl.
  3. Add Olives: Thinly slice the black olives and incorporate them into the salad bowl.
  4. Add Cheese and Croutons: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese and croutons evenly over the top of the salad.
  5. Dress the Salad: Drizzle 1/2 cup of Olive Garden Italian Dressing over the salad ingredients.
  6. Toss the Salad: Gently toss all ingredients together until the lettuce and toppings are evenly coated with the dressing.
  7. Season: Add freshly ground black pepper to taste for an extra hint of spice and flavor.
  8. Serve: Serve the salad immediately as a refreshing side dish alongside pasta, pizza, or any Italian meal.
  9. Optional Garnish: For extra freshness and flavor, garnish with additional parmesan cheese or a few lemon wedges before serving.

Notes

  • Use fresh crunchy lettuce like romaine or iceberg for the best texture.
  • Adjust the amount of pepperoncini peppers depending on your spice preference.
  • For a homemade touch, you can substitute store-bought Italian dressing with a blend of olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices.
  • Serve immediately after tossing to prevent the croutons from becoming soggy.
  • Adding lemon wedges brightens the flavor and adds a fresh citrus aroma.

Keywords: Olive Garden salad, copycat salad, Italian salad, romaine salad, pepperoncini, Italian dressing, side dish

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/copycat-olive-garden-salad-recipe/