Aldi Salad Dressing Tastes Like Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

Over the last forty years, Olive Garden has become one of the prime choices for family dining all across North America. With over 900 locations spread across the continent and patented Italian-American cuisine, their popularity has skyrocketed and their recipes have been subject to many copies and knockoffs by other retailers and restaurants. Aldi, the German supermarket retailer chain is one such example, with their Olive Garden salad dressing being reported to “taste just like the real Olive Garden.” Let’s learn about ‘Aldi Salad Dressing Tastes Like Olive Garden Copycat Recipe’.

Aldi Salad Dressing Tastes Like Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

Aldi Salad Dressing Tastes Like Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

There are many recipes that you can use to make a salad dressing that tastes like the one you can get at Olive Garden, with materials you can buy online and at supermarkets. Aldi sells all the basic ingredients like olive oil, white vinegar, sugar, Italian seasoning, and dressing mix, and also has a variety of salad dressing mixes, including the Olive Garden Salad Dressing. The preparation of the salad is very simple, and you can mix up the ingredients to your liking for the best salad you have ever had!

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Olive Garden Salad Recipes

The following recipes are for homemade copycat salads that taste just like Olive Garden:

  • Recipe 1
    • Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 packet Italian Dressing Mix, 3/4 cup vegetable or canola oil, 1/3 cup white vinegar, 1 Tbsp mayonnaise, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt,1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1/4 cup shredded Romano or Parmesan cheese as sprinkle (optional)
    • Preparation: All the ingredients are to be thoroughly combined using a dressing mixer, and marinated and refrigerated for an hour. After that, it can be used or refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three weeks. 
  • Recipe 2
    • Ingredients: 4 tbsp Water, 1 packet Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing, 1/3 cup White Vinegar, 1 tsp grated Parmesan, 1/4 cup Olive Oil, 1/8 tsp Lemon Juice, 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil, 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder, 1 tsp Mayonnaise, 1/2 tsp Sugar, 1/2 tsp Salt, 1/4 tsp Pepper, 1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning, 1/4 tsp Xanthan Gum (optional)
    • Preparation: the ingredients are blended until completely mixed, and then refrigerated until it is ready to be served.
  • Recipe 3
    • Ingredients: 0.7 oz. Italian Dressing Mix, ¼ cup + 2 Tbsp distilled white vinegar, ½ Tbsp mayo, 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, ½ tsp sugar, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp pepper, ½ tsp salt, ¼ cup water
    • Preparation: the ingredients should be mixed thoroughly and refrigerated. This can be stored for up to 4 weeks when properly refrigerated and has to be shaken well before serving. Two tablespoons are considered to be one serving. This dish has 64000 Calories, 6g of fat, 1mg of Calcium, 137mg of Sodium, and 0.1 mg of Iron as nutritional constituents.
  • Recipe 4
    • Ingredients: 4-6 cups chopped Romaine lettuce, 1 halved and sliced large tomato, 1 small red onion sliced in half-circles, 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, 8 drained pepperoncini whole, croutons, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper (optional).
    • Preparation: Mix well, then refrigerate till you are serving.
  • Recipe 5
    • INGREDIENTS: 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/3 cup red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1 tsp dried parsley, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried basil, 1/4 tsp salt, 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese 
    • Preparation: the ingredients are mixed well together and then poured into a salad dressing container. Then it can be stored in airtight containers and refrigerated for over a month. 

Expert hacks on making copycat salad dressings 

  • Romaine heart lettuces are the best for making Olive Garden salads. You can buy washed and pre-cut lettuce and other veggies in your local grocery store for even easier preparation.
  • You can also sprinkle grated parmesan or any other type of cheese on top of your salad for the special aftertaste you prefer! 
  • Avoid dressing the salad until you are about to serve the salad, to prevent it from getting soggy. You can use dressing on the portion of the salad you are eating and store the rest for later, up to 3 days.

Conclusion 

Everyone who has had the salad at Olive Garden would agree that it is undoubtedly the best dish they have on offer, be it for its flavor, freshness, and nutritional qualities. Fortunately, if you are shopping at Aldi, you can now buy all the ingredients to make that authentic Olive Garden salad, complete with the salad dressing. Users have said that the taste is very similar to the original restaurant dish, but can be made with items you have on hand like mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, parmesan, and other spices. 

Frequently Asked Questions
  • Is using mayonnaise compulsory for the salad?

Mayonnaise is essential if you are looking to recreate the creamy richness of the authentic dish, but it can be replaced with plain greek yogurt or virgin olive oil. 

  • Can fresh herbs be used in the salad?

Yes, you can use fresh herbs as opposed to dried herbs in your salad. Fresh herbs are preferable as they have greater nutritional value but have to chop and blended finely to maximize their flavor, and you have to use thrice as many fresh herbs as dried herbs. 

Aldi Salad Dressing Tastes Like Olive Garden Copycat Recipe

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