Exploring Olive Garden's Tasty Soup and Salad Options
Olive Garden is beloved for its unlimited warm, crusty breadsticks and hearty Italian fare. But did you know Olive Garden also offers a fantastic array of soups and salads? These nutritious first course options are full of fresh vegetables, premium proteins, and savory broths—all for a reasonable price as part of the unlimited soup or salad lunch offer.
Olive Garden Salad Options
Olive Garden provides a variety of cold, crisp salads featuring mixed greens or artisan lettuces paired with crunchy veggies, cheese, croutons, and protein additions. Popular Olive Garden salad choices include:
Garden Fresh Salad
This simple mixed green salad with grape tomatoes, red onions, olives, and croutons can be topped with grilled or crispy chicken for added protein. Dress it yourself at the unlimited salad bar.
Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine lettuce with parmesan cheese, croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing. Add grilled chicken or salmon.
Caprese Salad
Vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze and olive oil.
Signature Olive Garden Soups
In addition to the Olive Garden salad options, there are some truly signature Italian soups served daily. These hot, comforting soup recipes are made fresh in house.
Zuppa Toscana
A creamy, potato-based soup with spicy Italian sausage, bacon, and kale in a savory broth. Topped with parmesan cheese.
Pasta e Fagioli
A classic Italian soup with tomatoes, onions, celery, beans, pasta, and rinds of parmesan cheese simmered in a vegetable broth.
Chicken & Gnocchi Soup
Tender roasted chicken and potato gnocchi dumplings in a savory garlic broth with spinach.
Nutrition Profile of Olive Garden Soups & Salads
Olive Garden's soup and salad options make for nutritious, lighter choices compared to some of the heavier pasta dishes. For example, a bowl of hearty Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana has only 240 calories and 10 grams of protein per serving. Similarly, the salad options range from 80 calories for the simple Garden Fresh salad to 260 calories for a Caesar salad with dressing and grilled chicken.
Both the Italian soups and mixed green or Caesar salads provide vitamins from fresh vegetables. The salads offer vitamin C, vitamin K, folate and more through ingredients like tomatoes, carrots, spinach and romaine. Meanwhile the soups utilize nutrient-dense veggies like mushrooms, onions, kale, and beans simmered into the savory broths.
Tips for Ordering Olive Garden Salad & Soup
Here are some tips for getting the most nutrition and value from the unlimited Olive Garden soup and salad lunch special:
- Start with a vegetable-based soup for fewest calories.
- Go easy on high-fat dressings and cheese toppings.
- Load up your salad with veggie fixings from the salad bar.
- Add lean proteins like grilled chicken or salmon to salads.
- Request dressing on the side and use sparingly.
Pairing Soups & Salads Together
One of the best aspects of the Olive Garden soup and salad lunch special is that you can order both! This allows you to sample two first course options. Here are some suggested soup and salad flavor combinations from the Olive Garden menu:
- Zuppa Toscana soup with Garden Fresh or Caesar salad
- Chicken & Gnocchi soup paired with Caprese salad
- Pasta e Fagioli with a classic house salad
Starting your meal with a nutritious Olive Garden salad and a steaming bowl of hot soup can help fill up on veggies and broth before any indulgent main dishes or breadsticks arrive to your table. This can prevent overeating while still allowing you to enjoy Italian favorites in moderation.
Tips for Enjoying Soup & Salad When Dining Out
Ordering unlimited salad and soup is a smart dining strategy beyond just Olive Garden as well. Here are some general tips for making the most of soup and salad options when eating at restaurants:
See it as an Appetizer Course
View that initial salad or soup choice as an appetizer course to take the edge off hunger, allowing you to order a smaller or lighter main dish.
Favor Brothy Soups
Choose clear broth-based soups with lots of veggies over cream-based options to keep calories down. Broths like chicken noodle or minestrone make healthy starter picks.
Use Dressing Sparingly
Salad dressings, even vinaigrettes, can quickly add excess calories, fat, and sodium to an otherwise healthy salad. Ask for dressing on the side and dip your fork lightly for flavor.
Taking advantage of unlimited soup and salad specials allows you indulge in these two healthy, veggie-packed courses before settling into main entrees. Olive Garden sets an excellent example of providing nutritious soups and fresh salads at reasonable prices to appeal to their health-conscious customers.
FAQs
What are some of the most popular Olive Garden salad options?
Top Olive Garden salad picks include the Garden Fresh, Caesar, and Caprese salads. These can all be topped with grilled chicken or salmon.
Which soups are part of the Olive Garden soup rotation?
Signature Olive Garden soups include Zuppa Toscana with sausage and kale, creamy and hearty Chicken & Gnocchi, and the classic Pasta e Fagioli loaded with beans and veggies.
How many calories are in an Olive Garden salad?
Olive Garden salads range from about 80 calories for a simple Garden Fresh salad to 260 calories for a Caesar salad with grilled chicken and dressing.
Should you order soup or salad when dining out?
Yes, starting a meal with salad or a broth-based soup fills up on veggies first allowing you to order a smaller main dish. This supports healthy dining goals.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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