This Italian Chopped Salad is a hearty salad filled with fresh vegetables, salami, mozzarella, and kalamata olives. It is topped with a delicious homemade Italian vinaigrette that is made with red wine vinegar, dijon mustard and Italian seasoning.
Make this chopped salad for a meal or serve it as a side salad alongside a soup or pasta dish. You will love this salad because it has so many delicious fresh ingredients and every bite is full of great flavor and texture!
If you are looking for more salad recipes, check out our: Fresh Radish and Herb Salad, Summer Peach Panzanella Salad, Kale and Pomegranate Salad, Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad, or Easy Zucchini Salad.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Approachable - This salad is simple to put together and can be done without any special equipment. Once the ingredients are prepped, all you have to do is assemble the salad. This would be a great way to have kids help with dinner prep!
Customizable - You can easily add or remove any ingredients you would like to make this salad just how you like it. If you wanted, you could serve this salad with all the ingredients in separate bowls and allow everyone to assemble their salad with just the things they would like.
Healthy - This salad is a great way to fill up without too many calories. The salami adds extra protein and the vegetables provide some great nutrients. You could serve this as a side salad or as a large entreé salad for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Here are the delicious ingredients you will need for this Italian salad:
- Greens: Use both chopped fresh romaine lettuce and spring mix. You could also use baby spinach or any other crisp lettuce you have on hand.
- Cucumber
- Tomato
- Mozzarella: Use shredded mozzarella. You could also use parmesan cheese.
- Onion: You will use a red onion for this.
- Salami: I like using Genoa salami in this Italian chop salad.
- Artichoke hearts
- Olives: Use kalamata olives.
- Olive oil: Use a good quality olive oil for the best flavor.
- Red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper
Directions
Let's make this Italian chopped salad recipe together!
Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Whisk this well to combine and set the homemade Italian dressing aside.
Step 2: Combine the salad greens, cucumber, tomato, mozzarella, onion, salami, artichoke hearts, and olives in a large bowl. Toss this well to combine.
Step 3: Add the salad dressing and toss with the other ingredients until fully coated. Serve immediately.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this delicious salad:
Cheese - Buy a block of mozzarella cheese and shred it yourself using a box grater.
Uniform chopping - A chopped salad means that all of the ingredients are chopped to uniform shape and size. You will want to keep this in mind as you are preparing all of the ingredients.
Dressing - Add all of the ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid and give it a good shake. This is a quick way to emulsify the dressing ingredients.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for the best Italian chopped salad. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
Large bowl - Use a large bowl to serve this salad. I love this one!
Wooden Spoons - These large wooden spoons are perfect for tossing salad.
Small Whisk - This small whisk is perfect for mixing the salad dressing together.
Recipe Substitutions/Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this hearty Italian chopped salad.
Vinegar - Use white wine or balsamic vinegar in place of the red wine vinegar.
Vegetables and Herbs - Add in any vegetables you have on hand. You might like carrots, celery, garbanzo beans, cherry tomatoes, green bell pepper, or pepperoncini peppers. Try adding a sprinkle of fresh basil or sun dried tomatoes on top.
Cheese - Substitute or add fresh mozzarella, parmesan or provolone cheese.
What To Serve With
Here are some recipes to serve alongside this great salad:
Easy Garlic Bread - This recipe is so easy and it takes less than 20 minutes to make. Garlic, butter and bread never lets you down, right?
Lemon Butter Pasta - With a lemon butter pasta sauce, perfectly cooked spaghetti, and plenty of cheese, each bite of this easy pasta dish is so delicious!
Easy Baked Salmon Steaks - These Easy Baked Salmon Steaks are an easy weeknight meal that's done in just 20 minutes!
Frequently Asked Questions
A chopped salad is a salad that is filled with ingredients that are all chopped in uniform shape and size. Chopped salads are typically tossed together with the dressing before serving.
You could prepare all of the salad ingredients several hours ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Right before serving, toss them together with the dressing in your large salad bowl.
Yes. If a red wine vinaigrette isn’t your favorite, feel free to toss this salad with any dressing you prefer.
Recipe Storage and Reheating
Here are storage instructions for this salad recipe:
Refrigerator Storage: Store in an airtight container and eat leftovers within 1-2 days.
Freezer Storage: Freezing is not recommended.
Other Recipes to Try
Italian Chopped Salad
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 3 cups Romaine chopped
- 3 cups spring mix chopped
- 1 Cucumber chopped
- 2 Tomatoes chopped
- ½ Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 red onion chopped
- 3 oz. Italian salami chopped
- 1 cup Artichoke hearts chopped
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Combine salad dressing ingredients and whisk well. Set aside.
- Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl. Toss well and add dressing. Toss again and serve.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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