Are you a fan of Olive Garden’s signature salad, but want to make it at home without breaking the bank? Look no further! Our olive garden salad recipe is a copycat classic that’s sure to become a new favorite. With its crispy croutons, tangy Italian dressing, and fresh veggies, this salad is a game-changer for any meal.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Our olive garden salad recipe is a recreation of the popular Olive Garden salad, but made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and a few tweaks to make it even better. The best part? You can make it at home in just a few minutes, using ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Ingredients
To make our olive garden salad recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 4 cups of lettuce (Iceberg or Romaine work well)
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup of sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup of croutons (see our Homemade Croutons Recipe below for the easy recipe)
- 1/4 cup of Italian dressing (see our Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe below for the easy recipe)
- 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley
- Health Benefits of Olive Oil in Salad Dressings: The Health Benefits of Olive Oil in Salad Dressings
Homemade Croutons Recipe
Making croutons from scratch is easier than you think, and they’re a game-changer for this salad. To make homemade croutons, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup of bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. In a bowl, toss the bread cubes with the olive oil, salt, and pepper until they’re evenly coated.
3. Spread the bread cubes out on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
Homemade Italian Dressing Recipe
Our homemade Italian dressing recipe is a recreation of the classic Olive Garden salad dressing. To make it, you’ll need:
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
2. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Assemble the Salad
Now that you have your croutons and Italian dressing made, it’s time to assemble the salad. Simply combine the lettuce, cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, croutons, and Italian dressing in a large bowl. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve immediately.
Tips and Variations
For a vegan version of this salad, simply swap out the Parmesan cheese for a vegan alternative and use a vegan Italian dressing. To make this salad more substantial, add some protein like grilled chicken or salmon on top. If you’re short on time, use store-bought croutons and Italian dressing instead of making them from scratch.
Storage/Make-Ahead Instructions
This salad is best served fresh, but you can make the croutons and Italian dressing ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply assemble the salad just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the secret to making a copycat Olive Garden salad at home?
The secret to making a copycat Olive Garden salad at home is using fresh, high-quality ingredients and making your own croutons and Italian dressing.
How can I make a homemade Italian dressing that tastes just like Olive Garden’s?
Our homemade Italian dressing recipe is a recreation of the classic Olive Garden salad dressing. Simply whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
What are some common substitutions and variations I can make to the Olive Garden salad recipe if I’m looking for a vegan or gluten-free option?
Some common substitutions and variations for the Olive Garden salad recipe include using vegan mayonnaise and Italian dressing, swapping out the Parmesan cheese for a vegan alternative, and using gluten-free bread to make the croutons.
Can I make the croutons and grated cheese from scratch?
Yes, making croutons and grated cheese from scratch is easy and adds a lot of flavor to the salad. Simply use bread and cheese that you already have on hand and follow the instructions above.
Olive Garden Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Grande casserole
- Passoire
- Saladier
- Petit bol
Ingredients
Salade
- 300 g pâtes courtes farfalle, penne ou fusilli
- 200 g surimi bâtonnets de crabe
- 1 poivron rouge
- 2 tomates
- 1 petite boîte maïs égoutté
- 1 boîte coeurs de palmier
Sauce cocktail
- 3 cuillères à soupe mayonnaise
- 1 cuillère à soupe ketchup
Instructions
- Faites cuire les pâtes al dente dans une grande casserole d’eau bouillante salée.
- Égouttez les pâtes et passez-les immédiatement sous l’eau très froide pour stopper la cuisson et éviter qu’elles ne collent.
- Coupez le surimi, le poivron, les tomates et les coeurs de palmier en petits morceaux.
- Dans un petit bol, mélangez la mayonnaise et le ketchup pour réaliser la sauce cocktail.
- Dans un grand saladier, mélangez les pâtes refroidies, les morceaux de légumes, le maïs égoutté, le surimi et la sauce.
- Placez au réfrigérateur pendant au moins 30 minutes puis servez bien frais.
Notes
carbohydrates:55
protein:12
fat:14
saturated_fat:2
cholesterol:15
sodium:650
potassium:320
fiber:4
sugar:6
vitamin_a:850 Pour une salade encore plus savoureuse, préparez-la quelques heures à l’avance afin que les saveurs se mélangent parfaitement. Vous pouvez également ajouter quelques herbes fraîches comme du persil ou de la ciboulette.
