Go Back

Olive Garden Lettuce Salad

Helen T. Patterson
The Olive Garden Lettuce Salad is a vibrant and refreshing side dish that combines crisp greens, fresh vegetables, and savory toppings. With its light yet flavorful Italian dressing and delightful crunch from croutons and olives, it’s the perfect addition to any meal, from pasta dishes to grilled proteins. This recipe is quick to prepare, customizable to your taste, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Salad Bowl (for mixing the salad)
  • 1 Small Bowl (for mixing or serving dressing)
  • 1 Knife (for chopping vegetables)
  • 1 Cutting Board (for chopping veggies)
  • 1 Salad Spinner (optional, for drying greens)
  • 1 Salad Tongs or Large Spoon (for tossing)

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Romaine Lettuce chopped
  • 4 cups Iceberg Lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup Cucumber sliced
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives sliced
  • 1/4 cup Pepperoncini sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup Croutons store-bought or homemade
  • 1/2 cup Italian Dressing Olive Garden style or homemade
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese optional

Instructions
 

Prepare the Vegetables:

  • Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Chop the Romaine and Iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces and dry them well with a salad spinner or a clean towel. Slice the cucumber, halve the grape tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion. If using, slice the black olives and pepperoncini.

Assemble the Salad:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the Romaine and Iceberg lettuce. Add the sliced cucumber, grape tomatoes, red onions, olives, and pepperoncini.

Add the Toppings:

  • Sprinkle croutons over the salad and optionally add Parmesan cheese or any other desired toppings (such as bacon bits or avocado).

Dress the Salad:

  • Pour the Italian dressing over the salad. Start with half the amount and add more as needed. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.

Serve Immediately:

  • Serve immediately while the salad is fresh and the croutons are crunchy. Enjoy alongside your favorite meal!

Notes

  • Storage: While this salad is best served immediately, you can prep the vegetables and store them separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve.
  • Dressing: Feel free to adjust the amount of dressing according to your taste preferences. Some people love extra dressing, while others prefer a lighter coat.
  • Customizing: You can easily add protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or even hard-boiled eggs to make this salad a full meal.
  • Gluten-Free Version: For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free croutons or skip them entirely. You can also add roasted nuts for extra crunch.
Keyword Olive Garden Lettuce Salad