If you love Olive Garden’s Italian Dressing, this homemade version is about to be your new go-to! It tastes just like the real deal and comes together in 5 minutes with pantry staples like olive oil, white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
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Growing up in a small town on the Texas-Louisiana border, a trip to Olive Garden was a BIG deal. It took 30 minutes to get to the nearest one, but the unlimited salad and that classic Italian dressing made it SO worth it.
Even as a kid who was DEF not a salad lover, I’d devour bowl after bowl of their zesty, tangy goodness. And when they released their bottled dressing? Completely. Obsessed. I put it on EVERYTHING—my mom’s famous Italian Dressing Pasta Salad, used it as a chicken marinade, and doused WAY too many chopped kale salads in it to count.
But let’s be real—the store-bought version has a few ingredients I’d rather skip. So, I decided to make my own, and after countless rounds of testing, y’all… this recipe tastes just like Olive Garden’s, if not a wee bit better 🙂
If you like homemade salad dressing recipes, you should check out this Honey Mustard Vinaigrette, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Homemade Ranch Dressing, and Spicy Cashew Dressing next!
Ingredient Notes
My notes about the ingredients are listed below, but please see the recipe card for more detailed ingredient amounts and instructions.
- Oil. A really good quality extra virgin olive oil will make all the difference. Avocado oil is a good alternative since it is mildly flavored. Sunflower or safflower oil can also be subbed, but it will affect the taste slightly.
- Italian Seasoning. My homemade Italian seasoning blend of dried oregano, basil, and other herbs was used when testing this recipe. You can also find the dried Italian seasoning in your herb and spices aisle at the grocery store, but do note that some of these will contain more or less salt so you will need to adjust it accordingly.
- White Wine Vinegar. This is the most classic type used, but feel free to swap it out with apple cider vinegar.
- Sweetener. Honey was tested in this recipe, but agave nectar or regular sugar can also be substituted.
- Garlic. Fresh, minced garlic has the most flavor. (I use a garlic press so it chops it SUPER fine.) If subbing with garlic powder, you’ll want to use about ½ teaspoon.
- Lemon Juice. Opt for freshly squeezed juice and avoid the bottles—these are way more bitter and less naturally sweet.
- Parmesan Cheese. This is my secret ingredient that makes this the best recipe out there! (And taste the most like Olive Garden’s!)
How to Make Olive Garden’s Italian Dressing at Home
Please see the recipe card below for more detailed ingredient amounts and printable instructions.
Step 1: Mix or blend it up.
Add all of the ingredients to a 16-ounce mason jar and shake it up until everything is well combined.
No jar? No problem! You can also use a High Speed Blender or Mini Food Processor to get an extra smooth consistency.
Step 2: Serve and enjoy!
Drizzle this zesty Italian dressing over your favorite green salad—a mix of spinach, romaine, or mixed greens with bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, homemade croutons, and Parmesan pairs perfectly! You can also make this Italian Dressing Pasta Salad for picnics or a barbecue!
Delicious Ways to Use It!
Sure, it’s amazing on salads, but let’s think outside the bowl! Here are some fun ways to use it:
- Classic Garden Salad. Drizzle over romaine, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and croutons.
- Italian Pasta Salad. Toss with cooked pasta, olives, cucumbers, and Parmesan.
- Marinade for Chicken or Steak. Let protein soak up all that herby, garlicky goodness. (The lemon juice helps to tenderize the meat, too!)
- Dipping Sauce for Breadsticks. If you need a good recipe, these Olive Garden Breadsticks are simply heavenly!
FAQs
Store it in a sealed mason jar in the fridge for up to 1 week. Just shake well before using, as the oil and vinegar will naturally separate.
Since it’s made with olive oil, it may thicken or solidify when chilled. Let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes, then shake it up to bring it back to life!
Apple cider vinegar works well, or try red wine vinegar for a slightly different tang. Fresh lemon juice can also add a nice zip!
Yes! It’s perfect for marinating chicken, steak, shrimp, or even roasted veggies. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for extra flavor!).
More Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
Drizzle any of these homemade dressings all over your favorite salads for a burst of flavor!
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Olive Garden Italian Dressing Recipe
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Ingredients
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove finely minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice from 1 lemon
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 teaspoons honey optional
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a 16-ounce mason jar and shake until well combined. Alternatively, you can add the ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor and blend for 10-20 seconds, or until smooth.½ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 1 garlic clove, 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons honey, Salt
- Use immediately or store Italian dressing in the refrigerator for up to 1 week between servings. Bring to room temperature for 5-10 minutes and shake well before using.
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Notes
- Italian Seasoning: I love my homemade Italian Seasoning blend. It’s what I used when testing this recipe. However, store-bought works too. You’ll just need to pay attention to how much salt they have added.
- Olive Oil: Since olive oil is the base of this dressing, a good, high-quality extra virgin olive oil makes a big difference. If needed, you can swap with avocado oil, but it will slightly change the flavor.
- White Wine Vinegar: White wine vinegar is the classic choice, but apple cider vinegar can be used instead. Just note that it will give the dressing a slightly fruitier, tangier taste.
- Mixing and Blending: You can use a mini-prep food processor, NutriBullet blender, or a Vitamix with similar results.
- Shake Before Each Use: The oil and vinegar naturally separate, so give it a good shake before serving to blend everything back together.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe tastes exactly like The Olive Garden’s salad dressing. I added pepperoncicini to my salad to make it even more authentic.
Woohoo!! Ya I was so excited when I figured out how to recreate it at home (It’s so much healthier than the store-bought kind!) I bet the peperoncini were the perfect touch- I’ll have to try that out next time. Thanks for leaving a comment & rating- it means a lot. Can’t wait to hear what you cook up next! ❤ London
TU yum 😋 loved it
Yay, so happy you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment & rating- it means a lot. Can’t wait to hear what you cook up next! <3 London
Hi London! I tried this dressing and it’s really good, just like Olive Garden’s! It brought me back to the days of eating there, and now I want their bread sticks! I also used to live in Orange, Texas, and I’m guessing you probably went to the Olive Garden in Beaumont. I lived in Orange for over 40 years and just moved a couple years ago, so I would have lived there during the same time frame you did. I will now be zoned in on your recipes and can’t wait to try more of them! I’m so happy for you that you’re doing what you love!
Hi Jean! Wow, that’s so neat that we lived there at the same time. And yes- it was the Olive Garden in Beaumont I was talking about! So glad you found the site and thank you so much for joining the ET fam 🙂
I have been searching for years for a good Olive Garden dressing recipe. Most call for mayo which I hate. Your recipe was perfection. I tried it last night and now I’m going to make a big batch for the week. So so good.
Yay!! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Ya, mayo does NOT belong in an Italian dressing lol. Thanks for taking the time to leave a review- if you have time to hit the stars to rate it, that would be hugely helpful!
Can this be used in crock pot
You could, Kathleen, but it might be best to leave out the Parmesan cheese until the end.
OMGoodness this recipe is just amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. I really struggle with good recipes for a lovely salad dressing and this one is just awesome. LOVE LOVE LOVE it 🙂
Yay! So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe, Lynda! It is hard to find good dressing recipes. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!
Thank you for this wonderful recipe. It is my favorite dressing and I never tire of it. It adds so much flavor to salads.
Yay! So happy you enjoy the dressing so much. Thanks for your comment and rating, Susan!
Olive Garden’s dressing is so good. I can’t wait to make this one at home!
Isn’t it, Tina!! I cannot wait to hear what you think 🙂
I will be making this! So easy, healthier and impressive!
Thank you, Jules!! Yes, it is SO much better for you than the store bought kind!