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If you’ve ever found yourself pouring an extra helping of Olive Garden’s dressing just to make the salad last longer, this one’s for you. This copycat recipe brings that bold, zippy flavor to your own kitchen – no takeout required. It’s tangy, herb-forward, and so simple to make with pantry staples. Plus, you can shake it up in a jar and stash it in the fridge for up to two weeks. Anyone got any breadsticks?
Table of Contents
😍 Why You’ll Love My Copycat Olive Garden Italian Dressing
This dressing hits all the right notes: garlicky, herby, tangy, and just the right amount of creamy from the dijon mustard. It clings to every leaf of lettuce, adds life to roasted veggies, and makes a quick marinade in a pinch. And unlike the store-bought version, you know exactly what’s going in it!
🗒️ Ingredients
Garlic – Minced fresh garlic adds a punch of flavor and bite.
Dijon mustard – Helps emulsify the dressing while giving it a subtle kick.
Sugar – Just a touch to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
Dried basil + oregano – These classic Italian herbs round out the flavor and give that familiar Olive Garden feel.
Kosher salt + cracked black pepper – For seasoning and that slight peppery bite.
Red wine vinegar – The tangy backbone of the dressing.
Extra-virgin olive oil – Smooth, rich, and helps everything come together beautifully.
👩🍳 How to Make Copycat Olive Garden Italian Dressing
🫙Add everything to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
🙂↕️ Seal the jar and give it a good shake – like really go for it – until the dressing emulsifies and looks creamy.
👋🏼 That’s it. You’re done. The flavors meld even more as it sits, so feel free to make it a day ahead.
🥳 Enjoy!
🎩 Tips and Tricks
- Use a garlic press for quick and fine mincing.
- Let the dressing sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors marry.
- Shake before each use to re-emulsify, especially if it’s been in the fridge.
🤲 Substitutions
- Red Wine Vinegar: Swap in apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, or even lemon juice for a different type of tang.
- Dijon Mustard: Stone-ground mustard works too.
- Sugar: Add a drizzle of honey instead.
📓 Best served with
- A big, crisp Italian chopped salad
- Grilled chicken or steak
- Roasted veggies
- Crusty bread for dipping
👝 How to Store Leftover Copycat Olive Garden Italian Dressing
Store your dressing in a sealed jar or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Give it a good shake or whisk before using, as the oil and vinegar will naturally separate.
🧠 Common Questions
Yes! In fact, it gets even better after sitting for a few hours or overnight.
Absolutely. Just double the amount since fresh herbs are less concentrated.
Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free – just double-check your mustard and vinegar labels.
Sure, avocado oil or another neutral oil works well, but olive oil gives that classic Mediterranean flavor.
Dijon mustard helps it emulsify, but if it separates in the fridge, just shake it up before using.
Copycat Olive Garden Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 cloves garlic, minced fine
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ¾ teaspoon dried basil
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cracked black pepper
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a glass jar with a lid, seal and shake vigorously to emulsify.
- Dressing will last up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
