Olive Garden Creamy Italian Dressing Recipe (Quick Copycat)

Recreate the famous Olive Garden salad dressing at home with simple ingredients like light olive oil, mayo, red wine vinegar, parmesan cheese, lemon, Italian seasoning, mustard, and garlic powder. Perfect for salads or pairing with your favorite dishes, this homemade version delivers restaurant-quality taste without the preservatives of store-bought options.

ByNicole Bonilla
Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
 Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Jar of creamy Italian salad dressing in a mason jar.

This Homemade Olive Garden Salad Dressing is my favorite way to bring that zesty, tangy restaurant flavor home ā€” but with simple, fresh ingredients you can actually feel good about. Light olive oil, mayo, red wine vinegar, parmesan, lemon, Italian seasoning, mustard, and a touch of garlic powder come together to make a dressing thatā€™s bright, creamy, and totally satisfying.

I love that this version skips all the preservatives and mystery ingredients you find in store-bought dressings. Instead, you get to control exactly what goes in (and what stays out). Want to adjust the tang? Go for it. Need it dairy-free? Easy swap. Itā€™s flexible and easy to customize to fit your own needs.

If youā€™ve ever wondered how to recreate that perfect tangy kick without all the extra junk, this is the one I come back to again and again. Iā€™ve tested and tweaked it to get that spot-on flavor that makes salads (and honestly, pretty much anything you drizzle it on) so much more fun to eat. Once you try it, I think youā€™ll agree: this homemade version is so much better than anything from a bottle.

Why Youā€™ll Love This Easy Italian Salad Dressing Recipe

  • Simple ingredients: Made with pantry staples like olive oil, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
  • Restaurant-style flavor: Recreates that classic Olive Garden taste everyone loves at home.
  • Quick and easy: Ready in just minutes, perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
  • Customizable options: Easily adjust with swaps like Greek yogurt or vegan mayo to fit your taste.
Jar of creamy Italian salad dressing in a mason jar.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here is everything you need to make an easy Italian Salad Dressing recipe:

Light Olive Oil: You can use avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil instead.

Mayo: Greek yogurt or vegan mayo works well as a substitute.

Red Wine Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or white vinegar can also be used.

Parmesan Cheese: Nutritional yeast is a great dairy-free option.

Lemon Juice: You can use fresh lemon juice or bottled lemon juice. Lime juice or white wine vinegar can be used instead.

Italian Seasoning: A mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme can replace Italian seasoning.

Mustard Powder: 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard can be used as a substitute.

Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic, about 1/2 teaspoon, can replace garlic powder.

Salt: Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt can be used instead.

Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper is a good alternative.

Two chopped Italian sandwiches on a plate.

How to Make My Creamy Salad Dressing Recipe

Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making your own olive garden dressing. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, add the light olive oil, mayo, red wine vinegar, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Using a whisk, blend all the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Make sure the mayo is fully incorporated into the mixture.

Adding parmesan cheese to dressing.
Adding mustard powder to Italian dressing.

Step 2: Season to Taste

Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings as needed. If you prefer a tangier dressing, add a bit more vinegar or lemon juice. For a creamier texture, add a bit more mayo. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Shaking dressing ingredients in a jar.

Recipe Notes:

Texture: If you prefer a thicker dressing, increase the amount of mayo or add a bit of Greek yogurt. For a thinner dressing, add a bit more olive oil or vinegar.

Flavor Adjustments: Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Add more garlic powder or fresh minced garlic for a more garlicky flavor. Increase the amount of Italian seasoning if you prefer a more herbaceous dressing. You can also use a homemade Italian seasoning blend if you prefer.

Sweetness: If you like a hint of sweetness in your dressing, add a small amount of honey or maple syrup. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to taste.

Serving Suggestions for this Delicious Salad Dressing

  • Classic Italian Salad: Toss the dressing with crisp lettuce, sliced red onion, pepperoncini peppers, black olives, and halved cherry tomatoes. Top with homemade croutons for added crunch.
  • Pasta Salad: Mix the dressing into a pasta salad with cooked pasta, diced roma tomatoes, sliced black olives, red onion, and pepperoncini peppers. Add grilled chicken for a hearty meal.
  • Grilled Chicken Marinade: Use the dressing as a marinade for grilled chicken. Serve the chicken over a bed of mixed greens, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and black olives, drizzled with extra dressing.
  • Savory Vegetable Dip: Serve the dressing as a dip for fresh vegetables like red bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes. Add a touch of sweetness by stirring in a few teaspoons of honey if desired.
  • Homemade Crouton Topping: Drizzle the dressing over a salad made with crisp romaine, red onion, roma tomatoes, black olives, and pepperoncini peppers. Top with homemade croutons for a delicious crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. I always give it a good shake before using since the ingredients naturally separate. Glass jars work best because they don’t absorb flavors, and I actually think it tastes better after sitting overnight!

You can, but it won’t be as creamy as the restaurant version. Try using Greek yogurt instead for a lighter option, or just increase the olive oil slightly. The mayo is what gives it that signature thick, creamy texture that makes it taste like the original.

The key is using the right ratio of red wine vinegar to olive oil, plus that perfect blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and a touch of sugar. I’ve tested this recipe dozens of times, and the secret is letting it sit for at least 30 minutes before serving so all those flavors meld together.

It stays fresh in the refrigerator for up to one week when stored properly. I always make a double batch because my family uses it on everything – salads, as a marinade, even as a dip for breadsticks. Just remember to shake it well each time since separation is completely normal.

Absolutely! It’s amazing as a marinade for chicken, pork, or vegetables. I use it all the time for grilling – just marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for more flavor. The acidity helps tenderize the meat while adding that classic Italian flavor.

This usually happens if you use too much mayo or if it’s been sitting in the fridge and thickened up. Just thin it out with a tablespoon of water or a splash of red wine vinegar.

Do you love homemade dressings? Check out more of my easy and nutritious dressing recipes:

More Healthy Sauce Recipes

Jar of creamy Italian salad dressing in a mason jar.

Olive Garden Creamy Italian Dressing Recipe (Quick Copycat)

Gluten-Free diet-friendly recipe
Recreate the famous Olive Garden salad dressing at home with simple ingredients like light olive oil, mayo, red wine vinegar, parmesan cheese, lemon, Italian seasoning, mustard, and garlic powder. Perfect for salads or pairing with your favorite dishes, this homemade version delivers restaurant-quality taste without the preservatives of store-bought options.
5 from 5 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Servings 8
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup light olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons mayo
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder (or dijon mustard)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • dash pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a medium mixing bowl, add the light olive oil, mayo, red wine vinegar, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, mustard powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Using a whisk, blend all the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Make sure the mayo is fully incorporated into the mixture.
  • Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings as needed. If you prefer a tangier dressing, add a bit more vinegar or lemon juice. For a creamier texture, add a bit more mayo. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Video

Notes

Texture:Ā If you prefer a thicker dressing, increase the amount of mayo or add a bit of Greek yogurt. For a thinner dressing, add a bit more olive oil or vinegar.
Flavor Adjustments:Ā Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Add more garlic powder or fresh minced garlic for a more garlicky flavor. Increase the amount of Italian seasoning if you prefer a more herbaceous dressing. You can also use a homemade Italian seasoning blend if you prefer.
Sweetness:Ā If you like a hint of sweetness in your dressing, add a small amount of honey or maple syrup. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 123kcalCarbohydrates: 0.4gProtein: 1gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 127mgPotassium: 10mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 18IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.2mg
Keyword copycat recipe, Italian dressing, Olive Garden
Help Fellow Cooks!Your 5-star review helps other families discover recipes that actually work!
Dietitian Reviewed and Endorsed logo

This recipe has been reviewed by a healthcare professional for its nutritional balance and alignment with healthy eating principles.

9 Comments

  2. Adding that little bit of lemon juice really made the difference.
    Tasted just like Olive Gardens version!

    Reply

  4. Love this! It seriously took less than five minutes to make. Adding the parmesan cheese is brilliant!

    Reply

  5. I’m excited to share this super easy salad dressing recipe with you! It tastes just like Olive Garden but healthier šŸ™‚

    Reply
5 from 5 votes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating