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Copycat Olive Garden Salad

Copycat Olive Garden Salad
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This Copycat Olive Garden Salad recipe perfectly recreates the fresh, tangy, and crunchy salad experience from the famous restaurant. Featuring crisp romaine lettuce, fresh veggies, and a signature homemade tangy dressing with olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and Italian herbs, this salad is quick to prepare, budget-friendly, and versatile, ideal as a side dish or light meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups chopped fresh romaine lettuce
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
  • 1/2 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the red onions, halve the cherry tomatoes, and shred the carrots finely. Ensure all vegetables are fresh and well-drained to keep the salad crisp.
  2. Make the Dressing: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, white vinegar, fresh lemon juice, sugar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, salt, and pepper until the dressing is emulsified and flavorful.
  3. Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, shredded carrots, sliced red onion, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. Pour the dressing evenly over the salad and gently toss to coat every piece thoroughly.
  4. Add Crunch and Cheese: Sprinkle the salad with crunchy croutons and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Give the salad a final light toss to incorporate these toppings without losing their crunch.

Notes

  • Always use crisp, fresh romaine lettuce for the best texture and flavor.
  • Taste and adjust the dressing’s acidity or sweetness to match your preference.
  • For superior crunch, toast homemade croutons with olive oil and garlic.
  • Chill the salad in the fridge for 10 minutes before serving to meld the flavors.
  • Add dressing gradually to avoid soggy greens; additional dressing can be added if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: Copycat Olive Garden Salad, Italian Salad, Homemade Olive Garden Salad, Fresh Salad Recipe, Gluten Free Salad, Italian Dressing

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