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 or Italian bread.

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 Italian Rice Salad and Antipasto Pasta Salad.

Simple Ingredients

Using the best ingredients, from ripe, juicy tomatoes to vibrant bell peppers and fragrant herbs, takes this salad to the next level of yumminess. You can also make it your own, customizing it with your favorite ingredients.

For the Salad:

• Romaine lettuce
• Radicchio
• Iceberg lettuce
• Cherry tomatoes
• Red onion
• Cucumber
• Bell pepper
• Pepperoncini
• Black olives (Kalamata or Gaeta)
• Green olives (Castelvetrano or Cerignola)
• Provolone cheese
• Mozzarella cheese
• Salami or pepperoni
• Fresh basil leaves
• Fresh parsley

Homemade Italian Vinaigrette:

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Garlic
• Dijon mustard
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Italian Chopped Salad

This loaded chopped salad comes together in little time! It’s one of those filling main dish salads.

Substitutions

If you’re making Italian Chopped Salad and don’t have all the listed ingredients, you can make substitutions to suit your preferences or use what you have. Here are some common substitutions:

• Lettuce Variations: You can use different types of lettuce or greens, such as arugula, spinach, or mixed greens, instead of the Romaine, radicchio, and iceberg lettuce.
• Tomato Alternatives: If you don’t have cherry tomatoes, you can use regular tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or even sun-dried tomatoes for a different flavor.
• Onion Substitutes: Red onions can be replaced with sweet onions, shallots, or green onions (scallions).
• Pepper Choices: You can use any color bell pepper you have on hand, whether red, green, yellow, or orange.
• Cheese Options: Experiment with cheeses like feta, goat cheese, gorgonzola cheese, parmesan cheese, or cheddar cheese if you don’t have provolone or mozzarella.
• Meat Variations: Instead of salami or pepperoni, you can use other deli meats like ham, turkey, or roast beef. Or skip the meat altogether for a vegetarian version.
• Olive Substitutions: If you don’t have black or green olives, you can use one type of olive or other varieties, such as Sicilian or Spanish olives.
• Fresh Herb Choices: Feel free to substitute basil and parsley with other fresh herbs like cilantro, dill, or chives.
• Vinaigrette Options: You can use your favorite vinaigrette or Italian dressing from the store if you don’t have the ingredients for the homemade vinaigrette.

Variations

Italian Chopped Salad is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your taste. Here are some recipe variations and ingredient substitutions you can try:

• Vegetarian Option: To make a vegetarian version, omit the deli meats like salami or pepperoni and use marinated or grilled tofu, chickpeas, or additional cheese for protein.
• Mediterranean Twist: Add ingredients like artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and capers to give the salad a Mediterranean flavor. You can also use feta cheese and oregano in the dressing.
• Seafood Variation: Incorporate seafood for a different twist. Add grilled shrimp, chopped cooked crab or lobster, or even canned tuna.
• Green Variations: Experiment with different greens like arugula, spinach, butter lettuce, or mixed spring greens to change the base of the salad.
• Dressing Options: Try different dressings like a balsamic vinaigrette, Italian style creamy dressing, or a lemon-herb dressing for a unique flavor profile.
• Nuts and Seeds: Add some crunch and nutrition with toasted pine nuts, chopped walnuts, or sunflower seeds.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roast some vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or cherry tomatoes for a deeper, roasted flavor.
• Croutons: Top the salad with homemade or store-bought croutons for an extra crunch.
• Grilled Chicken: If you’d like to add more protein, grilled chicken breast or thigh slices work well.

Feel free to mix and match these variations to create a chopped salad that suits your preferences and dietary restrictions. Chopped salads are very adaptable and can be tailored to your taste or the ingredients you have on hand.

How to Store Leftovers

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.

FAQs

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