A fresh garden salad recipe with iceberg lettuce, onion tomatoes, olives, pickles, pepperoncini tossed with light vinegar-based dressing! A hearty vegan side salad for any meal!
I love crunchy, fresh salads with a light dressing. This easy garden salad is all about that. You can quickly put it together and pair it with pasta or pizza, sandwich or soup for a complete meal.
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Olive Garden is one of our favorite restaurants, and if we are dining in there or taking to go, salad and minestrone will be there in our order for sure. I love the crunchiness of the Olive Garden salad. Here is my vegan version of garden salad inspired by the Olive Garden salad. It’s not a copy-cat recipe as I went with our favorite dressing, modified the ingredients a bit and also skipped the cheese.
Ingredients required
I add both pepperoncini and sweet pickles to my salad. The sweet pickles are optional in this salad, but it adds a kick and flavor. Ok, let me get straight into the ingredient list.
Iceberg lettuce – I prefer fresh lettuce heads to the precut-packed ones. But it’s a personal preference. You can use a lettuce salad mix. Also, you can use either romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce. For this recipe, I went with iceberg lettuce.
Onion: The Olive Garden fresh salad calls for red onions, and I go with whatever onion I have in hand. I have used both red and yellow.
Black olives: You can use pitted whole black olives, or you can chop them in half.
Roma tomato: You need a firm tomato, and you can slice them thin or chop them finely as per your preference.
Pepperoncini peppers: These are mild Italian peppers used in salads, antipasti, pizzas, and sandwiches. Despite the heat, it has a tiny sweetness and adds loads of flavor to all the recipes. I chop them and remove the seeds inside. But you can add them whole as well.
Pickles: It’s an optional ingredient. But I love adding them. Pickles are fermented cucumbers in acidic solutions, and there are zillion varieties in them depending upon the vinegar used. I usually prefer the sweet ones, and for this salad, I used the sweet dill pickles.
Croutons: If you want to keep the salad light, skip the croutons or go for herb-flavored or garlic-flavored croutons for an added crunch.
Salad dressing
I went with a light vinegar-based dress for the salad dressing instead of a mayo-based one for this salad. We need good quality olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper(optional), and that’s it.
Dietary specifications
This garden salad is a vegan, and nut-free recipe. If you are not particular about vegan, add ½ cup of rennet-free grated parmesan cheese. Also, for a gluten-free version, skip the croutons.
This salad is easy to assemble, so prepare it as required and when needed. Add the dressing before serving. You can prep the veggies beforehand and keep them ready and combine them when needed.
You can serve this as a side salad, and I paired it with caponata for a complete meal.
Preparation
- Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, if using. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, add all the veggies, except the croutons. Add the salad dressing and toss until evenly coated. Add the croutons and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
- Adjust the veggies proportion according to your preference.
- Use romaine or iceberg lettuce or opt for a salad mix kit.
- Add the dressing just before serving.
- Add heirloom tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for more color.
- Pickles are optional, and it’s optional to chop the pepperoncini peppers too.
- Store-bought vinaigrette works too.
More vegetarian salad recipes!
Apart from these salads, if you love simple salad-style chaats, do check out how to make fruit chaat recipe as well.
Loved this recipe?
If you try this vegan garden salad recipe, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it ASAP. Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest or Instagram or join my Facebook Group for recipe updates and simple Indian meal ideas.
📖 Recipe
Garden Salad Recipe With Pickles & Pepperoncini
Ingredients
- 8 oz iceberg lettuce roughly chopped
- 4 oz onion sliced thinly.
- 25 olives pitted and halved
- 1 Roma tomato chopped
- 5 pepperoncini chopped
- 15 pickle slices chopped
- 10 croutons or as needed
Salad dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tsp salt or to taste
- ½ tsp ground pepper or to taste
Instructions
- Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper, if using. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, add all the veggies, except the croutons. Add the salad dressing and toss until evenly coated. Add the croutons and serve immediately.
Notes
- Adjust the veggies proportion according to your preference.
- Use romaine or iceberg lettuce or opt for a salad mix kit.
- Add the dressing just before serving.
- Add heirloom tomatoes or cherry tomatoes for more color.
- Pickles are optional, and it’s optional to chop the pepperoncini peppers too.
- Store-bought vinaigrette works too.
Nutrition
I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.
Update Notes: Earlier posted in 2016, now updated with new pics and recipe card with nutritional information.
That’s an interesting salad!..I am not a salad person, won’t mind digging into this bowl as it looks so refreshing!
:-) :-) Thanks
looks so colorful and inviting
Thanks a lot. :-)
This looks healthy and tasty!
Thanks Salma.
Yummm! :)
:-) Thanks
Nice and refreshing salad.
Thanks Sushma
Very healthy and catchy salad, loving it.
Thanks :-)
Can finally comment again on your blog, V!! Love love the OG salad. Will try adding pepperoncini to my salad. Not noticed these near the bottled pickles at grocery stores. Will look properly now that i know what to look for
:-) Welcome back P.. As I went self hosted, commenting via WP reader is not possible. How are you doing? I found these pepperoncinis in safeway.. Some times there are in the salad dressing aisle too.
I love Olive garden salad too. I have never added pickles to salads, but will definitely try soon.
Thanks, please do try and let me know how you liked it.
I love salads n this is right up my street.
Oh is it.. lucky you. :-)
Absolutely love the Olive Garden salads. Now you really made me hungry with your post:) nice presentation…
Thanks a lot Amara. Me too love their salads.
Healthy and refreshing salad….. I love salad’s anytime….super delicious…
Thanks Bharani.
Wow!!such a colorful looking salad..
Thanks :-)
Nice refreshing salad..looks great.
Thanks Sarita.
That is one delicious and colorful salad with pickles and vegetables.
Thanks a lot sapana.
healthy, colorful and tasty salad!
Thanks a lot. :-) I love the colors too.
That’s color full and refreshing looking salad
Thanks a lot Padma.