Name: Olive Garden Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 head Romaine lettuce (Chopped, preferably organic for extra crunch); 1 cup Grape or cherry tomatoes (Diced, deseed if too juicy); 1/2 medium Red onion (Thinly sliced; can substitute with yellow onion); 1/2 cup Olives (Black, Green, or Kalamata) (Sliced; Kalamata preferred for Mediterranean flavor); 1/4 cup Pepperoncini peppers (Sliced; substitute with pickled jalapeños if unavailable); 1 medium Cucumber (Sliced; peel if skin is tough, optional); 1 cup Croutons (Store-bought or homemade); 1/2 cup Italian dressing (Homemade or store-bought)

This delicious Olive Garden Salad comes together in about 15 minutes and requires no cooking for a easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste, or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends! Seriously, it’s one of those recipes that makes meal prep feel a bit special, and you won’t have to spend hours in the kitchen.

Ingredient Breakdown

Romaine Lettuce
Tomatoes (Grape or Cherry)
Red Onion
Olives (Black, Green, or Kalamata)
Pepperoncini Peppers
Cucumber
Croutons (Store-bought or Homemade)
Italian Dressing (Homemade or Store-bought)

Let’s Get Cooking!

How to Make This Delicious Olive Garden Salad

In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, sliced red onion, sliced olives, sliced pepperoncini peppers, and sliced cucumber. Toss well, until everything is evenly mixed, this should take about 2-3 minutes.
Top with croutons. Feel free to get generous; you want that crunch in every bite!
Drizzle Italian dressing over the salad and toss again until every delightful piece is coated. Honestly, it looks gorgeous just before you serve it, all colorful and appetizing!

And there you have it! You’ve whipped up a fantastic Olive Garden Salad that everyone at the table will be excited to dig into.

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I want something quick but also want to feel like I’m treating my family to something special. I’m a real sucker for those warm, comforting flavors that remind me of family dinners at Olive Garden, seriously, this salad channels that vibe perfectly! You can use whatever you’ve got on hand, which means I can whip it up any time and feel good about it!

If you loved this salad, be sure to check out my Lemon Parm Kale Salad, my Irish Style Coleslaw, or my Hawaiian Roll Grilled Cheese!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This salad comes together in under 15 minutes, making it perfect for busier weeknights or when you’re craving something fresh and light without spending ages in the kitchen.

Customizable

The beauty of this salad is its versatility! Use whatever ingredients you have, it’s a great way to clean out the fridge and still end up with something delicious and satisfying!

Comfort Food

Loaded with tons of flavor, this salad is the perfect side dish or light main course. The combination of textures and tastes, crunchy, creamy, tangy all come together to make something truly special. Your taste buds will rejoice!

Serving Suggestions

This Olive Garden salad is best enjoyed fresh, but it pairs beautifully with lots of dishes! Serve it alongside a hearty pasta dinner, grilled chicken, or even as a fresh-filled appetizer at your next gathering.

Storage

If you happen to have leftovers (lucky you!), store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It should stay fresh for about 2-3 days, but honestly, it’s so delish, I doubt there will be much left!

Reheating Instructions

While you can’t really reheat the salad, you can make the dressing and store it separately, to keep things fresh. Just toss everything together whenever you’re ready to serve!

Freezer-Friendly?

Unfortunately, this salad doesn’t hold up well in the freezer. But making a fresh batch each time is what keeps it so tasty!

So, whether you’re whipping this up for a busy weekday or as a light side for your weekend get-together, your family will absolutely love it!

So, don’t just wait, get your ingredients ready and let’s make this awesome Olive Garden Salad tonight!

Final Thoughts

I used to think salads were boring, but this one? It’s seriously anything but! The combination of fresh ingredients and zesty dressing makes every bite feel like a celebration. I can’t wait for you to try it, let me know how it goes! And trust me, once you add this to your recipe rotation, you’ll be making it again and again. Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!