Homemade Magic: Olive Garden Style Dressing Recipe Unlocked

Salad lovers rejoice!

This homemade copycat Olive Garden style dressing recipe brings the restaurant’s legendary flavor straight to your kitchen.

Bold, tangy, and incredibly creamy, the dressing captures every nuanced taste you adore from the popular Italian-American chain.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike have attempted to replicate this iconic condiment for years.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can craft a near-perfect version that rivals the original.

The secret lies in blending quality herbs and creating the right balance of zesty and smooth elements.

Drizzle this dressing over crisp greens and watch your salad transform into a gourmet experience.

Presenting Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Salad Companion Delights: Pair this zesty Olive Garden-style dressing with crisp, fresh salads that highlight its vibrant flavors.
• Green Garden Feast: Toss the dressing over a classic romaine lettuce base, topped with cherry tomatoes, red onions, and freshly grated parmesan cheese for an authentic Italian-inspired salad experience.
• Protein Power Boost: Transform the dressing into a delicious marinade for grilled chicken or drizzle over roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant to add an extra layer of tangy goodness.
• Bread Dipping Sensation: Use the dressing as a delectable dip for crusty Italian bread, garlic breadsticks, or as a flavor-packed condiment for antipasto platters, bringing a touch of Olive Garden magic to your table.

Best Way to Store That Dressing

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store this copycat Olive Garden dressing in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid. Glass prevents flavor absorption and maintains the dressing's original taste profile better than plastic containers.
• Quick Shelf Life Guide: Refrigerated dressing remains fresh and delicious for up to 7-10 days when kept at a consistent cold temperature. Always check for any unusual smell or separation before using after several days.
• Flavor Enhancing Tip: Gently shake or stir the dressing before each use to redistribute seasonings that might settle at the bottom. This simple step ensures every drizzle delivers maximum taste complexity.
• Temperature Wisdom: Never leave the dressing at room temperature for extended periods. Return it to the refrigerator immediately after use to maintain food safety and prevent potential bacterial growth.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 103 kcal

Servings: 9

Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing Ingredient List

• Vegetable Oil: Provides smooth, neutral foundation for dressing, opt for fresh, light-tasting oil without strong aftertaste.
• White Vinegar: Adds tangy brightness, choose clear and crisp variety for clean flavor profile.
• Water: Helps balance consistency and dilute intensity of other ingredients.

• Mayonnaise: Creates luxurious creamy texture, select full-fat version for richest results.

• Italian Dressing Mix: Delivers authentic Italian herb complexity, look for high-quality packet with multiple herb blends.
• Dried Italian Seasoning: Intensifies herbal notes, ensure herbs are fragrant and recently purchased.
• Garlic Powder: Introduces subtle savory undertone, select fine-ground option for even distribution.

• Sugar: Softens acidic edges, use white granulated for seamless integration.
• Salt: Amplifies overall taste profile, select fine table salt for consistent seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle warmth and depth, freshly ground creates most vibrant flavor.

Setup for Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Medium bowl: Essential for mixing all ingredients together smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dressing components until creamy and clump-free.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately portion out dry and wet ingredients.
• Measuring cups: Ensures precise liquid measurements for consistent flavor.
• Airtight container or jar: Great for storing and chilling the finished dressing.

Quick Guide to Copycat Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Flavor Foundation

Create a delightful blend of tangy and creamy elements that capture the essence of restaurant-style Italian dressing. This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a magical flavor experience.

• Mixing Magic

Grab a medium bowl and combine all liquid and dry ingredients. Use a whisk to blend everything smoothly, creating a harmonious mixture that promises restaurant-quality taste.

• Creamy Transformation

Introduce mayonnaise to the mixture, whisking energetically to ensure a silky-smooth texture. The mayo adds a luxurious richness that elevates the entire dressing.

• Flavor Fusion

Let the dressing sit for a few moments, allowing the ingredients to mingle and develop a deep, complex flavor profile. The longer it rests, the more the flavors will intensify and blend.

• Serving Suggestion

Store the dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and delicious for several days, ready to transform any salad into a gourmet experience.

Taste Tweaks for Olive Garden Style Dressing

• Dressing Customization Magic: Experiment with different vinegars like apple cider or red wine vinegar to create unique flavor profiles that elevate the classic recipe.
• Creamy Texture Boost: Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version that still maintains the signature smooth consistency while reducing calories.
• Herb Garden Delight: Incorporate fresh chopped herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley directly into the dressing for an extra burst of garden-fresh flavor and vibrant green color.
• Storage Savvy: Keep the dressing in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to one week. Shake well before each use to redistribute the ingredients and restore its perfect blended texture.

Tangy Olive Garden Style Dressing Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Homemade Olive Garden salad dressing brings classic Italian-American flavor to kitchen tables. Creamy, tangy seasonings blend perfectly for a quick and delicious condiment you can enjoy at home.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ½ tbsps (7.5 ml) mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip)
• ¾ cup (180 ml) vegetable or canola oil
• ¼ cup plus 2 tbsps (90 ml) distilled white vinegar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) water
• 1 packet Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix
• ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• ¼ tsp garlic powder

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Gather all ingredients on a clean kitchen workspace, ensuring precise measurement for an authentic olive garden-inspired flavor profile.
2. Base Creation: In a medium mixing bowl, combine vegetable oil, white vinegar, and water to establish the liquid foundation for the dressing.
3. Seasoning Integration: Sprinkle Italian dressing mix, dried Italian seasoning, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder into the liquid base, creating a fragrant herb-infused mixture.
4. Emulsification Process: Gradually introduce mayonnaise while whisking energetically, transforming the liquid into a luxuriously creamy emulsion with a rich, silky texture.
5. Final Blending: Continue whisking until the dressing achieves a smooth, consistent appearance with no visible ingredient separation, resulting in a vibrant, glossy finish that perfectly mimics the signature olive garden style.

Notes

• Measure Precisely: Accuracy in ingredient quantities ensures the authentic Olive Garden dressing taste and prevents flavor imbalances.
• Choose Quality Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality spices and herbs to enhance the dressing’s overall depth and complexity.
• Whisk Thoroughly: Vigorous whisking creates a smooth, creamy texture and prevents ingredient separation, guaranteeing a professional-looking result.
• Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify, delivering a more robust taste experience.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 103
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 178 mg
• Fat: 11.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 2 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 1 mg