Olive Garden Salad
The Olive Garden Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and easy-to-prepare salad featuring a crisp mix of romaine and iceberg lettuces, cherry tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, crunchy croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a classic Italian dressing. Perfect as a light side dish or a customizable entrée, this salad delivers a refreshing balance of flavors and textures that brighten any meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free croutons are used)
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 4 cups Romaine Lettuce, washed and chopped
- 4 cups Iceberg Lettuce, washed and chopped
Vegetables & Add-ins
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Red Onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives, pitted and halved
- 1 cup Croutons
- 1/2 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Italian Dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the Lettuce: Wash the romaine and iceberg lettuces thoroughly. Use a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Chop the leaves into bite-sized pieces to create a crisp salad base.
- Chop the Vegetables: Slice the cherry tomatoes in halves, thinly slice the red onions, and pit and halve the Kalamata olives to bring vibrant colors and flavors.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, toss together the chopped lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and olives to mix the textures and flavors evenly.
- Add Croutons and Parmesan: Sprinkle the salad with crunchy croutons and a generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese for added texture and savory notes.
- Toss with Italian Dressing: Drizzle the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly, coating every leaf evenly with the flavorful dressing. Serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- Use the freshest ingredients possible to enhance flavor and crunch.
- Make sure to dry the lettuce thoroughly to prevent dressing dilution and sogginess.
- Consider making your own Italian dressing for a fresher taste.
- Add dressing just before serving to keep the salad crisp.
- Toast croutons homemade for extra crunch and warmth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: Olive Garden Salad, Italian Salad, fresh salad, easy salad, healthy salad, crisp greens, Italian dressing
Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/olive-garden-salad/
