Classic Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
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This Classic Italian Chopped Salad Recipe is a delicious and colorful Italian-American dish that combines a variety of fresh vegetables, Italian deli meats, cheeses, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. It’s easy to make and one the best salads for any occasion.
Serve with Homemade Focaccia, Creamy Polenta, or Italian Bread.
Quick Look: Classic Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 6 people
- Dietary Info: Can be made GF and vegetarian (no bread or meats added)
- Method: Chopped + tossed salad, vinaigrette emulsified separately then combined
- Technique: Finely chop all ingredients into uniform bite-sized pieces for even distribution. Whisk vinaigrette until emulsified, then toss.
- Flavor/Texture: Crisp, crunchy, briny, savory, and tangy
The Best Italian Chopped Salad
I love a good chopped salad! This kind of salad is a great way to use up loads of fresh produce and Italian meats and cheeses. The satisfying crunch of fresh veggies, the creamy goodness of cheese, and the savory zing of deli meats. It’s like a taste explosion you can’t resist!
You will also love my Italian Rice Salad and Antipasto Pasta Salad.
Made With Amore,
“Delicious! I especially love the spiciness of the radicchio combined with the salami and homemade dressing. I will be saving this recipe and making again in the future. Would be perfect to bring to a friends house, or a party. Colorful, beautiful and healthy.”
– Cassie
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
From ripe, juicy tomatoes to vibrant bell peppers and fragrant herbs, takes this salad to the next level.
- Romaine & Radicchio Lettuce: The base of the salad, offering a crisp bite from romaine and a slightly bitter, peppery depth from radicchio.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Add juicy sweetness and freshness that balance the briny and savory elements.
- Salami or Pepperoni: Brings a salty, savory, slightly spicy richness that makes the salad more hearty and satisfying.
- Provolone Cheese: Adds a creamy, mild tang and helps round out the bold Italian flavors.
- Homemade Italian Vinaigrette: A zesty mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, mustard, and herbs that ties everything together with bright, tangy flavor.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Swap for a Different Lettuce: Swap romaine, radicchio, or iceberg with arugula, spinach, or mixed greens for a different flavor and texture base.
- Cheese Options: Use feta, goat cheese, parmesan, or gorgonzola instead of provolone or mozzarella for a stronger or creamier flavor profile. Try my Berry Goat Cheese Salad!
- Meat Variations: Replace salami or pepperoni with ham, turkey, or roast beef, or omit entirely for a vegetarian version.
- Use a Different Dressing: Use a store-bought Italian dressing or switch to Balsamic Dressing or Lemon Basil Vinaigrette for a different flavor twist.
How to Make Italian Chopped Salad
This loaded chopped salad comes together in little time! Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Combine the chopped Romaine, radicchio, and iceberg lettuce in a large salad bowl.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, bell peppers, garbanzo beans, black olives, green olives, pepperoncini, provolone or mozzarella cheese, parmigiano cheese, salami or pepperoni, and basil.
- In a small bowl or jar with a lid, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Set the vinaigrette aside to let the flavors meld.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad. Start with about half of it and toss everything together. Add more vinaigrette as needed to achieve your desired level of dressing. Toss the salad until all the ingredients are well coated with the vinaigrette, and the flavors are nicely distributed.
Classic Italian Chopped Salad FAQs
Italian Chopped Salad is a popular Italian-inspired salad that typically includes a combination of fresh vegetables, cheeses, deli meats, and a vinaigrette dressing.
Chopped salad is thought to have originated in New York City’s early 20th-century delicatessens and restaurants, where it became popular due to its easy preparation and fresh, flavorful ingredients. It’s a salad style that emphasizes finely chopped or diced ingredients for a balanced and satisfying meal.
For the best results, consume the leftovers within a day or two and re-dress the salad just before serving to maintain freshness. Store the simple vinaigrette in a separate container.
Serving Suggestions
This chopped Italian salad works beautifully as a fresh, vibrant starter or a light main alongside heartier dishes. I especially love pairing it with something warm and comforting like Easy Meatless Baked Ziti, White Chicken Lasagna, or a simple bowl of creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup. It also holds its own next to grilled meats or seafood, think Oven Baked Chicken Breast, Baked Stuffed Flounder, or even a New York Strip Steak. For a more casual spread, serve it as part of a laid-back Italian-inspired dinner with Italian Bread Recipe and a few antipasti favorites like Marinated Olives or Bruschetta on the side.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest ingredients available. The quality of your vegetables, cheese, and meats greatly influences the taste of the salad.
- Chop Uniformly: Ensure all the salad components are chopped into uniform bite-sizes. This allows balanced texture and flavor in each bite.
- Keep It Cold: Store the salad components in the refrigerator before assembling. Make sure to serve it chilled for the best taste and texture.
- Dressing on the Side: If you’re making the salad ahead or serving it to a large group, offer the dressing on the side. Guests can dress their salad to their liking and prevent it from becoming too soggy.
- Customize to Taste: Don’t hesitate to customize the salad with your favorite ingredients or make substitutions based on dietary preferences or what’s in your kitchen.
More Salad Recipes
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Best Italian Chopped Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Salad:
- 4 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 1 cup chopped radicchio
- 1 cup chopped iceberg lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup chopped Persian cucumber or English cucumber
- ½ cup chopped orange or red bell pepper
- ½ cup garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup chopped black olives, Kalamata or Gaeta
- ¼ cup chopped green olives, Castelvetrano or Cerignola
- ¼ cup pepperoncini, diced
- ½ cup cubed provolone cheese or mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shaved parmigiano cheese
- ½ cup cubed Italian salami, dry or pepperoni
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Vinaigrette:
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by making the vinaigrette. In a small bowl or jar with a lid, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Set the vinaigrette aside to let the flavors meld.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped Romaine, radicchio, iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, bell peppers, garbanzo beans, black olives, green olives, pepperoncini, provolone or mozzarella cheese, parmigiano cheese, salami or pepperoni, and basil.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad. Start with about half of it and toss everything together. Add more vinaigrette as needed to achieve your desired level of dressing.
- Toss the salad until all the ingredients are well coated with the vinaigrette, and the flavors are nicely distributed.
- Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Serve your Italian Chopped Salad immediately as a main course or side dish. It’s delicious on its own or with a fresh Italian bread plate.
- Feel free to customize this recipe by adding or omitting ingredients to suit your taste. You can also adjust the quantity of the vinaigrette to your preference. Enjoy your classic Italian Chopped Salad!
Notes
- Fresh Ingredients: Use the freshest ingredients available, as the quality of your vegetables, cheese, and meats greatly influences the taste of the salad.
- Chop Uniformly: Ensure all the salad components are chopped into uniform bite-sizes for a balanced texture and flavor in each bite.
- Keep It Cold: Store the salad components in the refrigerator before assembling, and serve it chilled for the best taste and texture.
- Dressing on the Side: If you’re making the salad ahead or serving it to a large group, offer the dressing on the side so guests can dress their salad to their liking and prevent it from becoming too soggy.
- Customize to Taste: Don’t hesitate to customize the salad with your favorite ingredients or make substitutions based on dietary preferences or what’s in your kitchen.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
My daughter had a chopped salad prepped on Sunday & asked me to dress it. I was scrolling through your website looking for dinner ideas & this salad recipe was open. I knew she’d have the ingredients so I mixed this dressing. Delicious! It’s quick & easy & uses common ingredients. We loved the dressing & I keep thinking about how good it was. This will become a staple salad dressing.
My daughter had a chopped salad prepped on Sunday & asked me to dress it. I was scrolling through your website looking for dinner ideas & this salad recipe was open. I knew she’d have the ingredients so I mixed this dressing. Delicious! It’s quick & easy & uses common ingredients. We loved the dressing & I keep thinking about how good it was. This will become a staple salad dressing.
Yay! SO happy you loved this classic! Yum, yum!
Delicious! I especially love the spiciness of the radicchio combined with the salami and homemade dressing. I will be saving this recipe and making again in the future. Would be perfect to bring to a friends house, or a party. Colorful, beautiful and healthy. Thank you Elena!
Yay! So happy you loved it. Enjoy it every single time.