I still remember my first visit to Olive Garden. I was in college, perpetually hungry, and the unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks deal was miraculous for my student budget. While the warm breadsticks were undoubtedly a highlight, the salad truly won me over. That perfect blend of crisp lettuce, zesty dressing, and those little pepperoncini peppers created a combination I couldn’t stop thinking about.
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After countless visits (and countless dollars spent), I became determined to recreate that iconic dressing at home. After much experimentation and fine-tuning, I’m thrilled to share this copycat recipe that captures the magic of Olive Garden’s famous dressing – with the added benefit of being customizable to your preferences.
Why This Homemade Version Outshines the Store-Bought Option
Yes, you can find bottles of Olive Garden dressing in many grocery stores. But here’s why making it yourself is so much better:
- Fresher flavor – No preservatives mean a brighter, more vibrant taste
- Customizable – Adjust the sweetness, tanginess, or herb levels to your preference
- Cost-effective – Pennies per serving compared to buying the bottled version
- Fewer additives – Control precisely what goes into your dressing
- Always available – Never run out as long as you have basic pantry ingredients
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise – Creates a creamy base and helps emulsify the dressing; Hellman’s or Duke’s brands are recommended for best flavor
- White vinegar – Provides the signature tangy flavor and helps preserve the dressing
- Vegetable oil – Creates the proper consistency and mouthfeel; contrary to what you might expect, Olive Garden doesn’t use olive oil in their dressing
- Light corn syrup – Adds the perfect amount of sweetness and creates the signature texture
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Contributes savory depth and authentic Italian flavor
- Grated Romano cheese – Adds a sharper, more complex cheese flavor that balances the dressing
- Garlic powder (or fresh garlic clove) – Provides essential aromatic flavor that makes the dressing distinctively Italian
- Dried Italian seasoning – Contains the perfect blend of herbs to create that signature Olive Garden taste
- Dried parsley flakes – Add color and a fresh herbal note
- Lemon juice – Brightens all the flavors and adds a subtle citrus note
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine all ingredients: Blend or process the mayonnaise, white vinegar, vegetable oil, corn syrup, Parmesan cheese, Romano cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, parsley flakes, and lemon juice in a food processor.
- Blend thoroughly: Process until all ingredients are completely combined and the dressing is smooth, about 30-60 seconds.
- Taste and adjust: Sample your dressing and adjust to your preference. Add a little more corn syrup or sugar if it’s too tart. If it needs more zip, add more vinegar or lemon juice.
- Transfer to container: Pour the finished dressing into an airtight container or glass bottle.
- Refrigerate: For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Romano cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, or 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a blender until well mixed.
- If this is a little too tart for your own personal taste, add a little extra sugar.
- Store dressing in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
No Blender? No Problem!
If you don’t have a blender, you have two easy alternatives:- Whisk method: Place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk vigorously until completely combined and smooth.
- Shake method: Put all ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake vigorously until well mixed. This method works great and makes for easy storage afterward!
Nutrition
How long does homemade Olive Garden dressing last?
If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, Olive Garden salad dressing can be enjoyed for about ten days.
What do you need to make an Olive Garden Salad?
To create an authentic Olive Garden salad experience at home, gather these ingredients:
- Iceberg lettuce – Provides the signature crunch
- Romaine lettuce – Adds nutrition and a different texture
- Thinly sliced red onion – Offers a sharp flavor contrast
- Pepperoncini peppers – Gives that distinctive tangy heat
- Black olives – Adds briny, savory notes
- Roma tomatoes – Provides fresh sweetness and color
- Croutons – Delivers the essential crunch
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese – For sprinkling on top
Toss all ingredients except the Parmesan in a large bowl, add your homemade dressing, and gently mix. Sprinkle with Parmesan just before serving.
Pro tip: If the dressing separates during storage, shake or whisk it before using.
Beyond Salad: Creative Uses for This Dressing
This versatile dressing has many uses beyond your salad bowl:
- Drizzle for roasted vegetables – Add just before serving for a flavor boost
- Marinade for chicken or fish – The acidity tenderizes protein beautifully
- Pasta salad dressing – This creates a fantastic cold pasta dish
- Sandwich spread – Use instead of plain mayonnaise for extra flavor
- Dip for vegetables – Makes raw veggies irresistible
Looking for more Olive Garden copycat recipes? Check these out
- Olive Garden Lasagna Mia
- Olive Garden Creamy Chicken Pasta
- Pasta Rustica
- Olive Garden Breadsticks Copycat Recipe
Popular Homemade Salad Dressings
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- Santa Fe Salad Cheesecake Factory
- Blue Cheese Salad Dressing Recipe
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- Buttermilk Salad Dressing
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Be sure to check out more of the best Olive Garden copycat recipes and easy salad dressing recipes.
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I totaly agree with Olive Garden dressing and the best part is you can buy it at the restaurant and not make it from their recipe. When I have lunch there I come home with several bottles of their dressing.
You’re lucky — the nearest OG to me is almost 3 hrs away. The last one I bought before a long flight home, it broke in my carry on. Wow, what a mess I had but did I smell amazing lol
Thank you for the salad dressing recipe. Can’t wait to make and enjoy.
Simpson
I made this recipe quite a few times, I do add pectin and substitute the vinegar with red wine vinegar. I make it for my church and it is known as the “Church House dressing”a hit everytime
Just do what I do…I buy some before I leave Olive Garden …this way I know I’m gonna have it on hand.
hey that’s a great idea can’t go wrong there thanks
April has it right! The recipe with the Paul Newman dressing is awesome!! Takes just like OG’s dressing!
This did not look the same, but it was AMAZING!!!
OK I TRIED THIS RECIPE AND IT WAS TO DIE FOR A BIG SUCCESS IN MY HOUSE, I THEN TRIED THE ONE WITH PAUL NEWMANS AND HAD TO ADD 6 TSP OF WHITE VINEGAR BEFORE THE WHOLE FAMILY THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT, I WOULD RATHER MIX THE EXTRA INGRED. AND IT B PERFECT. THANKS ALOT
April had the right one. I have made this many times and it is very good. Wishbone can be used…not much of a taste diff in it and Paul Newmans.
This is dressing is the only way I can get my daughter to eat salad. When we go to olive garden she will eat an entire bowl thanks for sharing now i can get her to eat it at home. Great web site!
April, that I believe is very similar to the Gloria Pitzer recipe, and I think some people have a hard time Paul Newman’s Own Vinegar and Oil dressing, so I have also seen some variants with Wishbone Italian dressing. Some people also add a raw egg to this dish as well.
I found the recipe using Newman’s Own Olive Oil dressing as a base. It is really the best. I have tried the other and it was too thin and milky and didn’t taste the same. My husband won’t eat any salad unless it has the "olive garden" dressing on it. LOL This is the absolute closest to the restauraunt’s recipe I have found. The only changes I made was using Splenda instead of sugar and mixing it in a seperate container then pouring it back into the original bottle. The dry ingredients just dont seem to fit until they rehydrate with the liquid.
<b><u>Ingredients:</u></b>
8 ounces Paul Newman’s Own vinegar and oil dressing
1 garlic clove — peeled, halved
1/2 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon sugar
(or 3 pkgs of Sweet and Low)
Cooking Directions:
Put ingredients into the bottle of dressing and shake well.
Refrigerate 24 hours before using.
I tried this tonight, and used Ken’s Lite Oil & Vinegar dressing (much less calories) but it was very good. Thanks for posting your recipe.
I have tried this one also, and have to agree, this recipe is much better. ( For my liking any way )
I had heard that as well about the Paul Newman’s, they also I think had you sticking a raw egg in there. To me, this reminds me of souped up Italian dressing.
I heard that they used Paul Newmans Italian dressing & doctored it up. Don’t know if that’s true or not. I don’t think they sell the dressing anymore. At least not where I go, Anitoch, Ca.
Yes they still sell their dressing at the Restaurant
I don’t think they will ever stop selling their salad dressing there. I think it is very popular.
Yes, I found this same recipe elsewhere on the internet provided by a "chef." It tastes nothing like olive garden dressing. I found a second one that sounded closer, but it too isn’t the same. I don’t think the preservatives is what’s missing. Both of the recipes I tried are way too vinegary. OG dressing is sort of a sweeter Italian dressing.
Sheila – how much dressing/ egg/ cheese do you use to mix up your recipe?
the olive garden use to make their dressing in house. it is very simple to duplicate and i promise it will not disappoint. it is wishbone italian dressing, egg (i use pasteurized egg beaters), and parmesan cheese (kraft). i work at the o.g.. one time we ran out of dressing and had to finish our shift using the original recipe. no one noticed a difference. a true copy cat recipe!
I agree with Sharon… what a waste of ingredients!
I absolutely love your website. Couldn’t find it for the longest time. At last, we’ll be happy to eat at home.
When they manufactor this recipe they use a lot of preservatives and other additives that we don’t have at home, these affect the taste and texture of this salad dressing. I believe this recipe we made about 8 years or so ago, so I am sure their recipe has changed by now. You may want to try to purchase their salad dressing. It is very hard to duplicate textures of additives in the home kitchen.
Stephanie
My family absolutely LOVES Olive Garden’s salad and dressing, so I was thrilled to find the dressing “recipe” on this site. Sorry to say…but this recipe tastes NOTHING like Olive Garden’s salad dressing. I was soooo dissapointed and so was my family. The restaurant’s dressing is not as sweet or “milky” looking as this version and has a completely different taste and texture. Does anyone out there have the REAL recipe??
Thanks!
Sharon
WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH PEOPLE!?! Sharon was soooo disappointed and so was her family?! Really?? Did you all put your heads in your hands and sob at the table? Did your children fall onto the floor in a rage and did your husband call in sick to work then next day?! IT’S F*&KING SALAD DRESSING!!!! This recipe is awesome, I make a double batch. You people are acting like someone raped your puppy in at your family reunion. Thanks Stephanie, I love your blog!
Phoenix19,
I couldn’t stop laughing at your comment! You’re right, it is just salad dressing, but I can also understand really looking forward to a meal and then being really disappointed when it doesn’t taste like you expected. Especially when you’re making a copycat recipe because the actual restaurant isn’t in your state or too far away to eat at very often.
Where do you live, Russia?? There are Olive Gardens everywhere!
Trust me, there are NOT olive gardens everywhere.
Where do you live, Russia?? There are Olive Gardens everywhere!