Description
Olive Garden’s legendary Signature Salad Dressing brings Italian zest straight to home kitchens. Creamy, tangy, and packed with herbal notes, this copycat recipe promises restaurant-quality flavor that elevates simple greens into a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) white vinegar
- ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency, optional)
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice in a medium mixing bowl, using a whisk to create a smooth, uniform base for the dressing.
- Introduce sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the liquid mixture, whisking thoroughly to ensure all seasonings are evenly distributed and fully incorporated.
- Evaluate the dressing’s texture and consistency, gently thinning with water if needed to achieve a pourable, yet creamy consistency that will coat salad ingredients perfectly.
- Cover the prepared dressing with a tight-sealing lid or plastic wrap, then place in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to harmonize and intensify for approximately 30 minutes.
- When ready to serve, pour the chilled dressing over a vibrant salad composed of crisp mixed greens, thinly sliced red onions, ripe tomatoes, crunchy croutons, and briny black olives, creating a restaurant-quality dining experience at home.
Notes
- Customize the tanginess by adjusting the vinegar and lemon juice ratio to suit your taste preferences.
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed version that cuts down on calories.
- Use fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder for a more robust and authentic flavor profile.
- Make the dressing dairy-free by replacing Parmesan cheese with nutritional yeast or omitting it completely for a clean, zesty dressing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg