Olive Garden Salad Dressing

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This Olive Garden Salad Dressing copycat recipe brings the restaurant’s signature zesty, creamy flavor right to your kitchen. This tangy dressing has simple ingredients and easy steps for the perfect homemade version any day!

Why You’ll Love it

Tastes Like the Real Thing – This copycat recipe tastes just like the original, with the perfect ratio of tangy vinegar, creamy mayonnaise, and savory Italian herbs that make Olive Garden famous.
Cheap & Easy – Why buy a bottle when you can whip it up at home with common pantry items, like olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Also, it’s economical, as well as containing no artificial preservatives.
Versatile & Tasty – Not just for salads, but this seasoning also makes a fabulous chicken marinade, fresh veggie dip, and drizzle over roasted veggies and pasta salads for extra yum!

What you’ll need

What ingredients are needed to make homemade Italian dressing, then? The ingredients are probably already in your pantry, though!

ingredients for olive garden salad on a marble surface

Olive Oil – The foundation of the dressing to provide a rich, smooth texture with a mild, fruity taste
Dijon Mustard – Provides a tangy, somewhat sharp taste along with emulsifying the dressing to make it smooth and creamy.
Mayonnaise – Adds creaminess and richness and creates a smooth base that balances out the acidity of the other ingredients.
Parmesan Cheese – Adds a salty, umami richness of flavor and gives the dressing its signature savory flavor.
Vinegar – Brightens up the overall flavor and balances the richness of the mayo and oil by adding tanginess and acidity.
Garlic Powder – Add a mild, savory kick to enhance the flavor, with a deeper layer without being too pungent.
Onion Powder — Adds subtle sweetness and complexity to the dressing.
Herbes de Provence – A fragrant & herbaceous blend of thyme, basil, rosemary, oregano, etcWith fragrant notes of lavender in the blend, it brings a subtle & aromatic flavor profile that further enhances the Mediterranean aspect.
Italian Seasoning – A mixture of herbs, such as oregano, basil, and thyme, that adds a familiar, savory flavor that pairs well with the Herbes de Provence.
Sugar – A pinch of sugar balances out the vinegar acidity and also adds nuance to the overall flavor profile.
Salt & Pepper — They enhance the flavors of the other ingredients while allowing them to shine.

How to make Olive Garden salad dressing

whisk together the ingredients – olive oil, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, Herbes de Provence, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt and pepper – in a bowl. Whisk everything together until smooth and combined.
Blend to Smooth – Transfer the mix into a blender and blend on low for 10-15 seconds. This will keep the dressing nice and silky and well emulsified.

mixing olive garden salad dressing with a whisk in a bowl

mixing olive garden salad dressing with a whisk in a blender

Taste & Adjust – Taste the dressing and season to your preference — add more salt, pepper or vinegar as desired. Briefly blend again to mix in any changes.
Chill & ServeTransfer the dressing to a jar or bottle, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (at least 30 minutes) to let the flavors meld. Drizzle atop your favorite salad or use as a dip!

Substitutions and Variations

Mayonnaise – You can replace mayo with Greek yogurt for a lighter version if you prefer. It will help add creaminess while also making the dressing tangier and healthier.
Vinegar – You can swap for white vinegar instead of red wine vinegar for a sharper, more acidic kick. It will change the flavor profile a little bit, but you’ll still get that signature tanginess.
Cheese – If you don’t have Parmesan available, use Pecorino Romano or Asiago cheese. These substitutes will give the dressing a subtly different yet still delicious salty, nutty flavor.

close up of a spoon of italian dressing being drizzled

What to serve with this dressing

Among many other things, it's a fantastic marinade for grilling meat, a superb dip for veggie platters, and, of course, a dressing for pasta salad!

Classic Garden Salad – Make a delicious salad with a combination of fresh greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and croutons, then drizzle with this dressing for a fresh and flavorful salad to complement any meal.
Grilled Chicken or Veggie Wraps – Try the dressing as a zesty spread for wraps filled with grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or fresh greens to make a quick and hearty meal.
Crudités Platter — Pair the dressing as a dip with a vegetable platter of assorted fresh veggies including carrots, celery, bell peppers and cherry tomatoes for wholesome snack or appetizer.

Leftovers and Storage

Storage – Decant any leftover dressing into an airtight container or jar and keep it in the fridge. Up to 1-2 weeks to keep it fresh.
Freezing – It’s best fresh, but the dressing can be frozen for up to 2 months. Freeze it in a freezer-safe container and defrost in the refrigerator overnight before using.
Leftovers - This dressing works for a lot more than tossing a salad (though it can certainly do that), whisking into a dip for chicken tenders, drizzling over baked potatoes, spooning over roasted vegetables.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Olive Garden dressing last?

When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Olive Garden Salad Dressing is good for 1-2 weeks. Check for any changes in smell, taste or texture before using it after this date.

How to make Olive Garden dressing healthier?

(To make Olive Garden dressing even healthier, replace the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to cut calories and add protein.) You can also halve the sugar, and use a lighter olive oil or a mix of olive oil and lemon juice for a fresher, lower-calorie version.

What is Olive Garden Salad Dressing made of?

Olive Garden Salad Dressing is made from a combination of olive oil, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs like Italian seasoning and Herbes de Provence. The dressing is known for its creamy texture and tangy, savory flavor profile.

If you tried this Olive Garden Salad Dressing or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!