The Official Answer: Jumbo Salad Servings
For larger groups and catering orders, Olive Garden offers the Jumbo House Salad, which the menu explicitly states "Serves 6". This generous offering includes a large bowl of their famous salad, 12 warm breadsticks, parmesan cheese, and a full bottle of their signature Italian dressing. Based on the official serving size of approximately 5 ounces per person, the Jumbo Salad contains about 30 ounces of greens and toppings.
Factors That Affect Your Salad Needs
While the official serving size is a reliable starting point, several factors can influence how much salad you truly need for your gathering. Understanding these variables can prevent ordering too little or too much.
- Appetite Level: Are your guests big eaters or do they typically eat lighter portions? If you know your family or friends are particularly fond of the salad, you may need to order more to ensure everyone gets enough.
- Main Course vs. Side: Is the salad serving as the main course for a light lunch, or is it just a side dish accompanying a hearty pasta entree? The standard Jumbo Salad assumes it's an accompaniment to a larger meal.
- Other Sides and Breadsticks: With the Jumbo Salad, you get 12 breadsticks. If you have other sides or appetizers, people will likely eat less salad. If not, the salad and breadsticks may be a more significant part of the meal.
- Leftovers: If you enjoy leftovers, ordering a little extra is never a bad idea. To keep the salad fresh, always ask for the dressing on the side and only dress the portion you plan to eat at that time.
Individual vs. Family-Style: A Portion Breakdown
Olive Garden offers a couple of different ways to get your salad, each with its own portion considerations.
- Individual Side Salad: This is the standard salad that comes with entrees or is part of the unlimited Soup, Salad & Breadsticks combo (dine-in only). A takeout individual side salad is approximately 10 ounces of greens and toppings, sized for one person.
- Unlimited Soup, Salad & Breadsticks: This is a dine-in only option, and refills are not intended for sharing among the table. The initial serving is smaller, with servers bringing refills as needed. Sharing refills can be against policy.
- Jumbo House Salad: This is the family-style option available for takeout or catering and is officially meant to serve six.
How to Estimate for Different Group Sizes
Using Olive Garden's 5-ounce-per-serving metric, you can make an educated guess for your specific group. Consider the following scenarios:
- For 2-3 people: A single individual side salad is likely not enough. The unlimited dine-in option is best, but for takeout, consider a small, two-person catering order or an extra individual salad.
- For 4-5 people: A single Jumbo Salad will likely be sufficient as a side dish, though some might not get a full 5-ounce serving. Consider a second Jumbo Salad for a safer bet or if the salad is a larger part of the meal.
- For 6-8 people: The Jumbo Salad is perfectly sized for six, but adding a second salad is wise to accommodate the extra diners, especially if they are big eaters. For eight people, two Jumbo Salads are recommended.
- For 10+ people: Two or more Jumbo Salads will be necessary. For large events, it may be more practical to order catering pans of other dishes and the salad combination to ensure everyone is fed well.
Comparison Table: Olive Garden Salad Options
| Feature | Individual Side Salad | Jumbo House Salad |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | Approximately 10 oz | Approximately 30 oz |
| Recommended People | 1 | 6 |
| Included Items | Salad, 2 breadsticks, dressing, cheese | Salad, 12 breadsticks, dressing, cheese |
| Best For | Accompaniment to an entree or individual meal | Catering, family dinner, or parties |
| Availability | Dine-in (as a side) and takeout | Takeout and catering only |
Tips for Ordering Your Olive Garden Salad
To maximize your salad experience, keep these tips in mind, especially when ordering for a crowd:
- Get the Dressing on the Side: This is a crucial step for controlling how much dressing is used and preventing a soggy salad, which is especially important for leftovers.
- Order Extra Breadsticks: While the Jumbo Salad includes a dozen, you can always order more on the side to make sure there's enough for everyone.
- Customize: Remember you can ask to remove specific items like onions or pepperoncinis if your group has dietary preferences or sensitivities.
- Confirm Your Order: When picking up a catering order, quickly check that you received all the components, including the dressing, cheese, and enough breadsticks.
Conclusion: Making the Right Call for Your Crowd
While Olive Garden's Jumbo House Salad is reliably portioned to serve six people, the final amount of salad needed truly depends on your group's specific appetites and dining context. For a small gathering of big eaters, one jumbo salad might only feed four, while a light lunch for six could easily be covered. By considering factors like the main course, other sides, and your guests' preferences, you can accurately estimate how much salad to order to ensure everyone leaves satisfied. If in doubt, it's always better to have a little extra than to run out. How Many People Can You Really Feed With An Olive Garden's Jumbo Salad?
