Description
Olive Garden Salad is a fresh and vibrant salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, shredded carrots, red cabbage, black olives, pepperoncini peppers, shredded mozzarella cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing. This easy-to-make salad offers a satisfying crunch and bold flavors with a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, ideal as an appetizer, side dish, or light main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives, drained
- 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini peppers
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Dressing
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade with vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Fresh Vegetables: Wash and dry the romaine lettuce thoroughly, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Shred the carrots and cabbage, and slice the black olives and pepperoncini peppers thinly to prepare all ingredients for mixing.
- Assemble the Base: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, shredded carrots, shredded red cabbage, sliced black olives, and chopped pepperoncini peppers. Toss gently to evenly distribute all vegetables for a balanced flavor and texture.
- Add Cheese and Dressing: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the salad, then drizzle the Italian dressing liberally or to taste. Toss the salad gently again to coat all ingredients thoroughly with the dressing.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish by adding freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve immediately to enjoy the crispness and freshness, or optionally chill lightly for a more refreshing experience.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp lettuce and vegetables for the best flavor and texture.
- Make your own Italian dressing with vinegar, olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs for a more vibrant taste.
- Drain olives thoroughly to avoid watering down the salad.
- Chill the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Toss the salad gently to keep the lettuce crisp and avoid sogginess.
- Store leftover salad without dressing separately to maintain crunchiness; add dressing just before eating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: Olive Garden Salad, Italian Salad, Romaine Salad, Italian Dressing, Fresh Salad, Side Dish, Light Meal, Gluten Free
