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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, this dressing 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 do you need to make this homemade dressing? You probably already have them in your pantry!

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 depth and gives the dressing its signature savory character. Adding parmesan to Italian dressing is a game changer - always grate your own for freshness and texture!
Vinegar - Brightens up the overall flavor and balances the richness of the mayo and oil by adding tanginess and acidity.
Garlic Powder - Adds 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, etc. With 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 It Together - In a bowl (or a lidded jar), combine the olive oil, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Parmesan cheese, white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, Herbes de Provence, Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, and pepper, and whisk or shake until smooth and combined.
Blend to Smooth (optional) - For an extra-creamy dressing, transfer the mix to a mini food processor or blender and blend on low for 10-20 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 & Serve - Transfer 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!
Shake Before Serving - Be sure to shake before each use, as some separation will occur.

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 the white vinegar for red wine vinegar for a milder, slightly fruity tang. It will change the flavor profile a little bit, but you'll still get that signature tanginess.
Apple cider vinegar: You can use apple cider vinegar instead; just note that apple cider vinegar has a slightly sweeter, milder flavor compared to white vinegar, which might subtly change the dressing's taste.

close up of a spoon of italian dressing being drizzled

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.
Italian dressing mix: Use a packet of Italian dressing mix instead of the individual herbs and garlic powder and onion powder if you prefer; however, those often contain sugar, so you might not want to add extra if you go that route.

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.
True copycat Olive Garden salad: For a true copycat Olive Garden salad, the one you're familiar with has lettuce (iceberg or Romaine), black olives, pepperoncini peppers, sliced red onions, Roma tomatoes slices, and Garlic Croutons, toss with this dressing, add more grated parmesan if desired, and enjoy!

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.
Hearty dinner salad: Serve it in a salad along with comfort food favorites like Baked Ziti, Spaghetti and Meatballs, or Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells to make it a 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 a wholesome snack or appetizer.

Leftovers and Storage

Storage - Decant any leftover dressing into an airtight container or jar and keep it in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for 1 to 2 weeks.
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) - it works as a dip for chicken tenders, a drizzle over baked potatoes, and a spoon-over for roasted vegetables.
Olive oil solidifying: If your olive oil solidifies during storage, let it sit at room temperature until it liquifies, then shake to combine and serve. It may also become cloudy but is still safe.

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, white 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.

Can I use a mini food processor instead of a whisk?

Yes, it is much simpler to emulsify this dressing in a little food processor, which thickens it somewhat and prevents it from separating.

What if my dressing separates?

Just shake your dressing before serving if it separates; this is very natural and has no bearing on the dressing's flavor or safety.

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!

Olive Garden Salad Dressing