Does Olive Garden Have Anything That's Low Carb? Your Guide to Keto-Friendly Choices

November 19, 2025 •

3 min read

While Olive Garden is famous for its breadsticks and pasta, recent menu modifications and customization options make low-carb dining a realistic possibility. Knowing how to order strategically allows you to enjoy a satisfying Italian-inspired meal without high-carb pitfalls.

Quick Summary

This guide outlines how to find satisfying low-carb and keto-friendly meals at Olive Garden by focusing on strategic menu choices and simple modifications. It covers protein options like grilled chicken and salmon, customizable entrees, and important tips for navigating sides and the unlimited soup and salad. Essential ordering tips are included to help maintain dietary goals.

Key Points

Prioritize Proteins: Focus on grilled items like salmon, chicken, and steak for the lowest-carb entrees.
Substitute Pasta for Broccoli: Many pasta dishes can be made low-carb by swapping the noodles for steamed broccoli.
Customize Your Salad: Always order the house salad without croutons and consider oil and vinegar instead of the signature dressing for fewer carbs.
Modify Soups Carefully: For a low-carb soup, request the Zuppa Toscana without potatoes.
Avoid Obvious Carbs: Skip the complimentary breadsticks and any fried appetizers like calamari or fried mozzarella.
Check Nutrition Information: Consult the restaurant's nutritional guide to be precise with your carb tracking, as values can vary.
Don't Fear Customization: Servers are often accommodating of dietary restrictions; don't hesitate to ask for modifications.

Navigating the Menu: Low-Carb Main Courses

Eating low carb at Olive Garden requires a strategy that sidesteps the obvious pasta dishes and breadsticks. Focusing on protein-rich main courses and substituting carb-heavy sides is the key. Olive Garden's menu offers several dishes that, with a few tweaks, fit perfectly into a low-carb diet.

Protein-Forward Entrees

The most straightforward approach is to build your meal around the grilled protein options. These form a solid foundation and can be paired with low-carb sides for a complete meal.

Herb-Grilled Salmon: This is a stellar low-carb choice, often coming with a side of broccoli. A standard serving contains a minimal number of net carbs. The flavorful garlic herb butter provides a good source of fat without adding unwanted carbs.
Grilled Chicken Margherita: This entree features grilled chicken breasts topped with mozzarella, pesto, and tomatoes. It's naturally low in carbs and is served with steamed broccoli, making it a complete meal.
6-ounce Tuscan Sirloin: Typically served with pasta, this steak can be made low-carb by substituting the pasta for steamed broccoli. The simple preparation of the sirloin keeps carbs in check while providing excellent protein.
Customized Chicken or Shrimp Alfredo: A popular hack is to order either the Chicken Alfredo or Shrimp Alfredo and simply ask the server to replace the pasta with steamed broccoli. The rich, creamy Alfredo sauce is low-carb, and this modification creates a delicious, filling alternative to the traditional pasta dish.

Low-Carb Appetizers, Soups, and Sides

While the breadsticks are the most famous appetizer, there are other ways to start your meal without derailing your diet. The unlimited soup and salad can be a great option if handled correctly.

Soups and Salads: Order with Caution

Famous House Salad (no croutons): The unlimited salad is a fantastic option when you order it without croutons. The signature Italian dressing is low in carbs, but you can opt for oil and vinegar for a cleaner, zero-carb alternative.
Zuppa Toscana (modified): The creamy Zuppa Toscana soup contains Italian sausage, kale, and potatoes. To make it lower carb, ask for it without the potatoes. This modification is key to reducing the overall carb count significantly.

Smart Side Substitutions

For nearly any entree, you can request a side of steamed broccoli instead of the carb-heavy options like pasta, mashed potatoes, or breadsticks.

Steamed Broccoli: A standard side of steamed broccoli is nearly carb-free and a great source of fiber.
Parmesan Crusted Zucchini: This side dish offers a flavorful, low-carb alternative to traditional fried appetizers. A serving provides minimal net carbs and a satisfying crunch.

The Importance of Customizing Your Order

Customizing is essential for controlling carbohydrate intake at a restaurant like Olive Garden. By communicating your dietary needs clearly to your server, you can ensure your meal aligns with your low-carb goals. Don't be afraid to ask for a list of available sauces or for a specific preparation method. Many servers are well-versed in handling special requests, especially with the growing popularity of low-carb and keto diets.

Comparison of Low-Carb Olive Garden Meals


Meal Option	Key Features	Modifications Needed	Approximate Net Carbs*
Herb-Grilled Salmon	Flavorful, high protein, rich in healthy fats.	None required for a low-carb version.	3g-5g
Grilled Chicken Margherita	High protein, cheesy, pesto and tomato toppings.	None required for a low-carb version.	8g-10g
Tuscan Sirloin	Hearty, red meat option.	Substitute pasta with steamed broccoli.	4g-5g
Customized Chicken Alfredo	Classic flavor with a low-carb twist.	Substitute pasta with steamed broccoli.	5g-8g (depending on sauce amount)

*Note: Net carb values can vary slightly depending on portion size and ingredient specifics. Always verify with current nutritional guides or ask your server.

Conclusion: Strategic Dining Makes Olive Garden Low-Carb Possible

While Olive Garden's menu is heavily focused on pasta and bread, it is entirely possible to enjoy a delicious and filling low-carb meal there. The key is to be strategic with your ordering. By opting for grilled proteins like salmon or chicken, requesting steamed broccoli as a substitute for pasta, and enjoying the unlimited salad without croutons, you can easily maintain your dietary regimen. Don't be shy about customizing your order to ensure it meets your specific low-carb needs. With these simple menu hacks, you can savor the flavors of Italian-American cuisine at Olive Garden without compromising your health goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can eat the unlimited salad if you order it without croutons. For the soups, the Zuppa Toscana is the most low-carb friendly option when ordered without the potatoes.

No, the signature breadsticks are very high in carbohydrates and should be avoided entirely on a low-carb or keto diet.

The plain Grilled Chicken served a la carte has less than 1g of net carbs. Other excellent choices include the Herb-Grilled Salmon and Tuscan Sirloin with broccoli instead of pasta.

Yes, Alfredo sauce is typically low in carbs and can be used to add flavor and fat to a grilled protein and steamed broccoli meal.

While they don't list a specific 'zoodle' or low-carb pasta on all menus, you can easily substitute steamed broccoli for pasta in many dishes. Some locations may offer zucchini noodles.

To make a pasta dish low-carb, ask for it with steamed broccoli instead of the pasta. You can then add a grilled protein and a low-carb sauce like Alfredo.

Olive Garden's signature Italian dressing is relatively low carb, but to be safest, you can ask for oil and vinegar or bring your own low-carb dressing.