Irresistible Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing Recipe

Olive Garden salad dressing captures the essence of creamy, tangy Italian-American cuisine with its signature zesty blend.

Restaurant-inspired condiments often feel mysterious and complex to home cooks.

The dressing brings a nostalgic flavor profile that reminds you of casual dining experiences.

Bold ingredients combine to create a rich, smooth texture that complements crisp greens perfectly.

Classic culinary techniques merge with accessible kitchen pantry staples to produce something magical.

Unexpected herb combinations deliver a robust taste that will surprise and delight you.

Each spoonful promises a delicious journey through familiar yet exciting flavor territories.

Explore this recipe and unleash your inner restaurant chef with confidence.

Why Everyone Loves Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Recreate the iconic Olive Garden dressing right in your kitchen, bringing professional-level taste without stepping out.
• Simple whisking method transforms basic pantry ingredients into a creamy, restaurant-style dressing in mere minutes, making cooking feel like a breeze.
• Versatile dressing works perfectly on salads, as a dip, or marinade, offering multiple delicious ways to enjoy this homemade classic that rivals store-bought versions.
• Prepare a gourmet-tasting dressing at a fraction of the restaurant price, elevating everyday meals with minimal effort and maximum flavor satisfaction.

Ingredients List for Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Vegetable Oil: Provides the smooth, rich base for the dressing.
• White Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness and helps balance the flavors.
• Water: Helps adjust the consistency and dilute the intensity.

• Italian Dressing Mix: Commercial blend that delivers classic Italian herb profile.
• Dried Italian Seasoning: Enhances herbal notes with a mix of traditional Mediterranean herbs.
• Garlic Powder: Offers subtle, concentrated garlic flavor without raw garlic texture.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for bringing out and balancing overall taste.

• Mayonnaise: Creates a rich, smooth texture and adds creamy depth to the dressing.

Step-by-Step Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing Guide

Step 1: Mix Base Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• White vinegar
• Water
• Italian seasoning mix
• Dried Italian herbs
• Sugar
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Use a whisk or fork to blend these ingredients together, creating a preliminary mixture that will form the foundation of your dressing.

Step 2: Add Creamy Element

Introduce mayonnaise to the bowl, which will transform the liquid mixture into a rich, smooth dressing. The mayonnaise adds a luxurious texture that makes this recipe special.

Step 3: Whisk Until Smooth

Take your whisk and blend the entire mixture with enthusiasm. Whisk continuously for about 30-45 seconds, ensuring every ingredient is thoroughly combined. The goal is to create a silky, uniform dressing with no visible clumps or separation.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Dip a clean spoon into the dressing and taste. If needed, sprinkle in additional herbs or adjust seasoning to match your preference. The beauty of homemade dressing is customization!

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Transfer the dressing to a sealed container or jar. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together. The dressing will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Best Tips for Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for each ingredient to capture the authentic Olive Garden flavor profile.
• Whisk Thoroughly: Blend ingredients vigorously to create a smooth, clump-free dressing that coats salads evenly.
• Chill for Depth: Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
• Store Smartly: Keep the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, shaking well before each use.
• Customize Creatively: Experiment with fresh herbs or a touch more garlic powder to personalize the classic recipe to your taste.

Store Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing Like a Pro

• Refrigerate: Store the dressing in an airtight container or glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Properly sealed, it will keep fresh in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
• Shake Before Use: Before serving, give the container a good shake to remix any separated ingredients and restore the original creamy consistency.
• Discard: Check for any signs of spoilage like unusual odor, color changes, or mold. If detected, discard the dressing immediately to ensure food safety.

Foods That Go Well with Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Elevate Your Salad Pairing: Crisp romaine lettuce and fresh cucumber slices create the perfect base for this zesty Olive Garden-style dressing, amplifying its tangy Italian flavors.
• Match with Mediterranean Proteins: Grilled chicken, sliced prosciutto, or herb-crusted salmon complement the dressing's robust taste, adding a protein-rich dimension to your meal.
• Serve with Rustic Bread Companion: Warm, crusty focaccia or garlic breadsticks provide an excellent texture contrast and help soak up the dressing's delightful herbs and vinegar notes.
• Wine and Dressing Dance: A crisp pinot grigio or light chardonnay beautifully balances the dressing's tanginess, creating a refreshing and harmonious dining experience.

Fun Variations for Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Zesty Herb Infusion: Enhance the dressing by adding fresh chopped basil, oregano, and thyme to amplify the herbal notes and create a more vibrant flavor profile.
• Creamy Parmesan Kick: Incorporate grated Parmesan cheese and a touch of Greek yogurt for a richer, tangier version that adds depth and complexity to the original recipe.
• Spicy Mediterranean Blend: Mix in red pepper flakes, a dash of cayenne, and finely minced roasted red peppers to give the dressing a warm, spicy undertone that complements the Italian seasonings.
• Light Greek-Inspired Version: Swap vegetable oil with extra virgin olive oil and add a splash of lemon juice to create a lighter, more Mediterranean-style dressing with a bright, fresh finish.

Questions About Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• How long can I store this Olive Garden-style dressing?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-10 days. Always give it a good shake before using as the ingredients might separate.

• Can I make this dressing without the Italian seasoning mix?

You can substitute the mix with a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme, but the flavor profile might slightly differ from the original Olive Garden taste.

• Is this dressing gluten-free?

Check the ingredients in your Italian dressing mix, as some may contain gluten. Look for a gluten-free mix or make your own herb blend to ensure it meets dietary requirements.

• Can I use a different type of oil instead of vegetable oil?

Olive oil or canola oil can work well as substitutes. Each will slightly alter the taste, but they’ll still provide a delicious dressing base.

Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired zesty Olive Garden salad dressing blends creamy tang with herbal notes, creating a restaurant-quality condiment. Whisked together in minutes, this homemade version brings classic Italian-American flavor directly to home kitchen tables.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (180 ml) vegetable or canola oil
• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons (90 ml) distilled white vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 1 packet Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix

Seasonings:

• ½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Additional Ingredient:

• ½ tablespoon (7.5 ml) mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)

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Instructions

1. Assemble all dressing ingredients on a clean kitchen workspace, ensuring precise measurements for an authentic Olive Garden-inspired flavor profile.
2. Select a medium mixing bowl and pour in vegetable oil, white vinegar, and water as the liquid foundation for the dressing.
3. Sprinkle Italian dressing mix, dried Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder into the liquid base, creating a fragrant herb-infused mixture.
4. Gently stir the initial combination to loosely incorporate the dry and wet ingredients, allowing the aromatics to begin releasing their complex flavors.
5. Introduce mayonnaise to the bowl, which will transform the liquid into a luxuriously creamy emulsion with a rich, silky texture.
6. Whisk the entire mixture energetically, ensuring complete integration of all components until the dressing achieves a smooth, consistent appearance with no visible ingredient separation.
7. Once fully blended, the dressing will have a vibrant, glossy finish that mimics the signature Olive Garden style, ready to elevate any salad or vegetable preparation.

Notes

• Quick and easy to whip up in just a few minutes, this copycat dressing delivers restaurant-quality flavor right in your own kitchen.
• Mayonnaise is the secret ingredient that transforms this dressing into a creamy, rich replica of Olive Garden’s signature blend.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week, letting the flavors meld and intensify over time.
• Perfect for salads, as a dip for breadsticks, or as a marinade for chicken and vegetables.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste, making it slightly more tangy or herbal depending on your preference.
• Using fresh ingredients and precise measurements ensures an authentic taste that rivals the restaurant version.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Drinks, Appetizer, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 660 mg
• Fat: 46 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 40 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg