This simple and delicious house salad dressing is made with just 3 main ingredients plus seasonings. Perfect for any salad, this house dressing is a sugar-free, Whole30, and paleo salad dressing that’s a copycat of Olive Garden’s famous house dressing.
Looking for more condiments?
Check out Greek yogurt ranch dressing, healthy Caesar salad dressing, and ladolemono.
Jump to:
Recipe Overview
- Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutes to prep
- Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Keto, Whole30, Paleo, GAPS, Ancestral diet
- Tools Needed: Pint size jar
- Skill Level: Easy
What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.
Reasons to Love this House Salad Dressing
This house dressing is the GOAT - creamy, tangy, herby perfection that makes even a pile of lettuce exciting. It's like the best part of an Olive Garden salad, but without the mystery ingredients and the endless breadstick temptation (okay, maybe keep the breadsticks coming...).
Made from scratch, this dressing lets you enjoy all the flavor you love, minus the bottled weirdness. It’s rich, fresh, and oh-so-satisfying—perfect for drizzling over greens, dipping veggies, or even adding a kick to your sandwiches. Once you taste it, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again.
And what better pairing for this Olive Garden copycat salad dressing than its equally essential partner—the salad itself? Make sure to have this house salad lined up to showcase all the flavors of the dressing.
Ingredients for House Dressing
- Avocado oil: This is a mild, neutral tasting oil that is full of heart-healthy fats. I will sometimes cut it with roasted walnut oil using a 1:1 ratio because it has a deep, nutty flavor that adds complexity to the dressing. You can use extra virgin olive oil but it will be very robust and rich in flavor.
- Mayonnaise: I love using my homemade avocado oil mayonnaise for best quality and flavor. It adds creaminess and helps to emulsify everything.
- Apple cider vinegar: This is the acid in the dressing and balances the fats well. I like using raw apple cider vinegar for it natural probiotics and enzymes. Feel free to swap it out with red wine or white wine vinegar. You can also use lemon juice to give it some fresh and bright flavors.
- Seasonings: A blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs like thyme, oregano, and basil gives lots of flavor without overpowering. You can also use 3 teaspoons of DIY ranch seasoning to make it easy.
- Sea salt: I like the Baja Gold fine grind salt in this dressing but any unrefined salt will work here.
How to Make House Salad Dressing
The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.
Step 1. Combine
Add all ingredients including avocado oil, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, sea salt, and seasonings to a pint jar.
Step 2. Mix
Seal the jar and shake well until fully combined. Or whisk vigorously with a whisk until smooth and creamy.
Helpful Tips
- Use a wide-mouth mason jar with a tight seal. Shaking the dressing vigorously ensures everything mixes thoroughly, but you can also use an immersion blender for a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Start with room temperature ingredients. If possible, bring the mayonnaise and oil to room temperature before making the dressing for more effortless blending.
- Use a seasoning blend. Simplify the recipe by swapping the individual herbs and spices for an Italian seasoning mix or Herbes de Provence. It makes this recipe super easy.
- Give it time. Let the dressing sit for at least 30 minutes in the fridge before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Troubleshooting
- Dressing not emulsifying? If the oil and vinegar don't mix well, try using an immersion blender to break the oil particles and ensure it fully combines with the vinegar.
- Lumpy texture? This could be due to cold mayo or improperly mixed ingredients. Whisk or shake it more vigorously to smooth it out.
Product Highlight!
Roasted Walnut Oil
If you really want your house salad dressing to stand out, use this roasted walnut oil. It's so aromatic, flavorful, and has a rich nutty depth that takes this to the next level. It gives sunflower oil vibes but without the added fragrance.
💭Meal Prep Suggestion!
This house salad dressing is basically your meal prep BFF. Whip up a batch at the start of the week, stash it in a mason jar, and boom—you’ve got a ready-to-go dressing for effortless salads, grain bowls, or even a sneaky veggie dip. It actually gets better as the flavors meld, so by midweek, it’s basically gourmet. If it firms up in the fridge (because, science), just let it hang out at room temp for a few minutes and give it a good shake—like you're waking it up for work. No sad, dry salads on your watch!
Serving Suggestions
The most obvious way to serve this house dressing is drizzling it over crisp, fresh house salad. It's a classic pairing that lets the dressing shine. For the ultimate Olive Garden experience - real food style - serve it alongside a comforting bowl of homemade Zuppa Toscana.
And you've got a complete meal that's both satisfying and wholesome, without ever needing to leave your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftover dressing in an airtight container like a mason jar for up to 14 days. These Weck preserving jars are excellent. Be sure to give it a good shake before using, as it may separate over time.
While it’s best fresh, you can freeze the dressing for up to a month. Just be aware that the texture may change slightly once thawed, so it might need a good shake or stir before using again.
If your dressing solidified in the fridge, simply let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes to loosen up. Once it’s softer, give it a good shake or whisk to mix everything back together. If it’s still too thick, add a small amount of water, vinegar, or lemon juice to reach your desired consistency. You can also stir in a bit of extra olive oil for a richer, smoother texture.
Looking for more healthy condiments? Here are some ideas:
Did you make this house dressing? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚
Printable Recipe
Simple House Salad Dressing - Paleo, Low Carb, Whole30
Ingredients
House Dressing:
- ½ cup avocado oil or roasted walnut oil
- 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon basil
Instructions
- Add all ingredients including ½ cup avocado oil or roasted walnut oil, 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon thyme, ½ teaspoon oregano, and ½ teaspoon basil to a pint jar.
- Seal the jar and shake well until fully combined. Or whisk vigorously with a whisk until smooth and creamy.
Notes
- Use a wide-mouth mason jar with a tight seal. Shaking the dressing vigorously ensures everything mixes thoroughly, but you can also use an immersion blender for a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Start with room temperature ingredients. If possible, bring the mayonnaise and oil to room temperature before making the dressing for more effortless blending.
- Use a seasoning blend. Simplify the recipe by swapping the individual herbs and spices for an Italian seasoning mix or Herbes de Provence. It makes this recipe super easy.
- Give it time. Let the dressing sit for at least 30 minutes in the fridge before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Alicia@ Eco Natural Soap says
Looking forward to making this dressing really soon!
Anya says
Enjoy Alicia!
Susan Braley says
Just 1 tablespoon mayo? Is that right?
Anya says
Yep. Just one is enough for a creamy consistency. 🙂
Jan says
This recipe is a winner! Will make again.