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Our Famous Jumbo House Salad

Olive Garden Our Famous Jumbo House Salad

$24.49 1,650 cal,1 breadstick 140 cal Soups, Salad & BreadsticksFamily-Style MealsCatering

Our famous jumbo house salad is topped with olives, onions, pepperoncini and tomatoes. Includes our signature salad dressing, croutons, and parmesan cheese. Includes a dozen breadsticks.
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About This Dish

Olive Garden's Famous Jumbo House Salad is the restaurant's iconic starter, available for $24.49 as a standalone catering item that includes a dozen breadsticks. The salad is built on a romaine base topped with black olives, red onion rings, pepperoncini, and fresh tomatoes, finished with croutons, grated Parmesan, and the restaurant's signature Italian dressing. The full serving totals 1,650 calories for the salad, with each breadstick adding 140 calories. It serves 4 to 6 guests depending on portion size.

What makes the salad at Olive Garden stand out is the house Italian dressing — a tangy, slightly herbed oil-and-vinegar emulsion that the brand has kept consistent for decades. The combination of the pepperoncini's mild heat, the olive's brininess, and the dressing's acidity creates a flavor profile that is immediately recognizable. The jumbo version serves considerably more than the standard dine-in salad bowl. For catering orders, this pairs naturally with any pasta pan to complete the meal.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving

1650 Calories
114g Total Fat
8260mg Sodium

* Nutritional values are approximate and may vary. Last updated March 2026.

How to Copycat Olive Garden Our Famous Jumbo House Salad at Home?

Prep: 15 min Cook: 0 min Total: 15 min Easy

The Olive Garden house salad is far more searched as a copycat recipe than most people expect, primarily because of the dressing. Guests who eat the salad repeatedly at the restaurant develop a strong preference for its specific flavor and consistently find that bottled Italian dressings taste wrong by comparison. The distinguishing factors are the tiny amount of mayonnaise that emulsifies the oil, the dried Italian herbs added directly to the dressing, and the balance of white wine vinegar to olive oil.

The salad assembly is straightforward. The pepperoncini and black olives are essential components, not optional garnishes. Removing either significantly changes the flavor balance. The croutons should be added last to preserve their crunch, and the dressing should be tossed in well in advance so the romaine leaves are fully coated.

Ingredients

6 servings

Salad

Italian Dressing

Instructions

0 / 3

  1. Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a jar or bowl until emulsified. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before using.

    5 min

    The dressing improves significantly after 1 hour of refrigeration as the herbs rehydrate and the garlic mellows.

  2. Chop romaine into 2-inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add olives, red onion, pepperoncini, and tomatoes.

    8 min

  3. Pour dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat every leaf. Add croutons, top with grated Parmesan, and serve immediately.

    2 min

Pro Tips

  • Use cold romaine straight from the refrigerator. Warm lettuce wilts immediately when tossed with dressing.
  • Do not skip the pepperoncini. They provide the mild heat and brine that defines the salad's distinctive character.
  • The mayonnaise quantity seems small but is what keeps the dressing emulsified and slightly creamy instead of separating into pure oil and vinegar.

Variations

Grilled Chicken House Salad

Add 2 sliced grilled chicken breasts seasoned with Italian herbs to turn this starter into a complete entrée salad.

Creamy Italian Dressing

Double the mayonnaise and add 2 tablespoons of sour cream for a richer, creamier Italian dressing version.

Serving Ideas

  • Serve immediately after tossing — the croutons lose their crunch within 5 minutes of contact with the dressing
  • Extra dressing on the side is always appreciated for guests who prefer a more heavily dressed salad
  • Pair with any Olive Garden pasta dish or serve as a standalone starter
  • A light Pinot Grigio pairs perfectly with the acidic Italian dressing

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Find Our Famous Jumbo House Salad Near You

Visit one of Olive Garden's 900+ locations to enjoy the Our Famous Jumbo House Salad at $24.49.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Famous Jumbo House Salad is priced at $24.49 and includes a dozen breadsticks. It serves 4 to 6 guests as a starter. Individual dine-in salad refills are included with any entrée order.
The jumbo house salad contains 1,650 calories for the full serving including croutons, cheese, olives, and dressing. Each breadstick adds 140 calories. Split among 6 people, each individual portion is approximately 275 calories plus a breadstick.
The house salad includes romaine lettuce, black olives, red onion, pepperoncini, fresh tomatoes, croutons, and grated Parmesan cheese. It is served with the restaurant's signature Italian dressing, a tangy oil-and-vinegar based dressing with herbs and a slightly sweet finish.
Combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, sugar, and a small amount of mayonnaise for body. Whisk thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. The mayonnaise is the key to the creamy, slightly thick texture of the dressing.
Yes, the Famous House Salad is available as part of most catering packages and as a standalone add-on priced at $24.49 for the jumbo version. The large format version includes 2 salads when ordered with the Large Family-Style Lasagna Bundle.