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Copycat Olive Garden Salad

Copycat Olive Garden Salad
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Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Copycat Olive Garden Salad brings the classic restaurant favorite to your kitchen in minutes. Combining crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce with vibrant veggies like shredded carrots, red cabbage, cherry tomatoes, and black olives, topped with parmesan cheese and crunchy croutons, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Perfect as a light side or a refreshing main, this salad is quick to prepare, customizable, and loved by the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Lettuce and Vegetables

  • 2 cups romaine lettuce, rinsed and chopped
  • 2 cups iceberg lettuce, rinsed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup finely sliced red cabbage
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup black olives, drained and sliced

Toppings

  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup croutons

Zesty Italian Dressing

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Lettuce and Veggies: Rinse the romaine and iceberg lettuce thoroughly under cold water. Pat dry and chop into bite-sized pieces. Shred the carrots, finely slice the red cabbage, halve the cherry tomatoes, and drain the black olives. Mixing the greens and colorful veggies first gives the salad its vibrant, fresh foundation.
  2. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, toss together the prepared lettuces, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, and olives. Sprinkle the shredded parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Add the croutons last so they stay crunchy until serving.
  3. Make the Zesty Italian Dressing: Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, white vinegar, sugar or honey, dried Italian herbs, minced garlic, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Adjust ratios for your ideal balance of tang and oiliness. This homemade dressing brings that classic Olive Garden salad flavor to life.
  4. Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Be careful not to overdress, as the fresh vegetables shine best with just the right amount of flavor.

Notes

  • Use fresh ingredients: Crisp, fresh vegetables make a huge difference for both taste and texture.
  • Chill your lettuce: Serve the salad cold by refrigerating the greens before assembling.
  • Make dressing ahead: Prepare the Italian dressing a day ahead to deepen the flavors.
  • Croutons last: Add croutons only right before serving to keep them crunchy.
  • Adjust to taste: Feel free to tweak the dressing ingredients to better suit your palate.

Nutrition

Keywords: Copycat Olive Garden Salad, Italian salad, fresh salad, Italian dressing, healthy salad, restaurant copycat

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