Healthy Copycat Olive Garden Salad

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Lightened-Up Classic: Thanks to the reduced amount of Parmesan, this olive garden copycat salad is lower in calories and fat, making it a great option for anyone on a fitness journey looking for a flavorful side.
• Simple and Versatile: While the ingredients list may seem long, everything is easy to find. This salad is easy to customize by adding protein or extra toppings and pairs well with any meal, making it the perfect versatile dish.
• Quick and Veggie-Packed: Whip up this fresh salad in just 15 minutes! Packed with fresh veggies like Romaine, cherry tomatoes, and olives, it's both delicious and filling, keeping you satisfied longer.

Copycat Olive Garden Salad Ingredients

• Romaine Lettuce: The crisp, crunchy base for this salad, adding great texture. You can swap it out for any lettuce variety, and if you're short on time, bagged, pre-chopped salad is an easy alternative!
• Cherry Tomatoes: These add a burst of sweetness and color to the Olive Garden salad bowl. If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, feel free to substitute with Roma, Beefsteak, or grape tomatoes.
• Pepperoncinis: Offering a tangy, slightly sweet, and spicy kick, these peppers also add visual appeal with their bright color and distinct shape. Can’t find them? Substitute with banana peppers instead!
• Black Olives: Adding a little Mediterranean flair with a briny, slightly fruity taste, olives enhance the salad. Not a fan? Feel free to leave them out or swap them for a different olive variety, capers, or even sun-dried tomatoes.
• Red Onion: Another fresh addition that brings a bit of sharpness and crunch, and brightens up the salad.
• Parmesan: A salty, savory addition that contrasts well with the veggies. Olive Garden uses a Parmesan-Romano blend, but feel free to use your favorite brand of Parmesan.
• Croutons: A crunchy, carb topping that adds satisfying texture. You can use store-bought croutons (like these protein croutons), a gluten-free option (like these gluten free croutons), or make them at home (check out the FAQs below for a quick recipe).

Low Calorie Olive Garden Salad Dressing Ingredients

• Vinegar and Oil: Apple cider vinegar adds tangy acidity, balancing the other ingredients in the dressing, while Extra Virgin Olive Oil brings richness and a smooth texture. If you're out of apple cider vinegar, red wine, or white vinegar work as excellent substitutes.
• Mayo and Mustard: Light mayo provides a creamy texture with fewer calories than traditional mayo, while Dijon mustard adds a touch of tang and helps emulsify the dressing, keeping the oil and vinegar from separating.
• Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, this seasoning brings Italian flavors to this dressing’s classic taste.
• Lemon: Lemon juice adds zest and tang to the dressing.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations & Dietary Modifications

• Higher Protein: Easily turn this salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, shredded chicken, canned tuna or salmon, tofu, tempeh or another protein of your choice.
• Store-Bought Dressing: Short on time? Use a store-bought light Italian dressing, as a substitute for homemade. Olive Garden's dressing is available at many grocery stores, but be mindful—it tends to be higher in calories.
• A Fruity Spin: Add some sliced strawberries, apples, or pears, or even a sprinkle of dried cranberries or raisins, to add a sweet contrast and brighten up the salad.
• Greens Swap: Switch up the greens for a unique base! Try spinach, arugula, kale, or a spring mix instead of traditional romaine to switch up the base in your healthy olive garden salad.

How To Make Olive Garden Salad

Ready to step up your salad game with a healthier version of this Olive Garden recipe? Skip the takeout and make this fresh, flavorful salad right in your kitchen with just 3 simple steps—no extra calories required! Grab 2 mixing bowls, gather all your ingredients, and let's get started:

Step 1: Mix the Veggies. Combine the lettuce, tomatoes, pepperoncinis, black olives, red onion, croutons, and Parmesan in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Make the Dressing. Whisk together the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mayo, parmesan, mustard and seasoning in a small bowl, until emulsified.

Serving Suggestions

Although it's tempting to just eat endless Olive Garden house salad and breadsticks, there are plenty of delicious and creative ways to enjoy this iconic salad, whether you're dining at home, bringing it to a potluck, or serving it at your next gathering. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it up:

• Bump up the protein content of your meal by serving this salad alongside dishes like lemon garlic chicken, air fryer mustard salmon, or this healthy meatloaf.
• For an everyday pairing, enjoy this salad with a bowl of hearty, healthy minestrone soup or zuppa Toscana, plus some cauliflower garlic bread or zucchini biscuits.
• Make it a full Italian-inspired meal with pasta dishes like pasta e Fagioli, chicken chickpea pasta bake, and a healthy lasagna skillet.

Expert Tips

• Use a Salad Spinner: After washing your greens, spin them dry in a salad spinner. This helps remove excess water, keeping your salad crisp and preventing the dressing from becoming watery.
• Chill Before Serving: For an extra crisp texture, refrigerate your salad for 15-20 minutes before serving. The cool temperature enhances the crunch and allows all the flavors to meld together.
• Storing: Store any leftovers in an airtight container or a gallon-sized plastic bag for up to 2 days. For leftover dressing, store separately it in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you anticipate leftovers, keep the croutons separate to prevent sogginess. This recipe is not freezer-friendly.

Recipe FAQs

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