Best Italian Chopped Salad Recipe

Chopped Italian Salad Recipe

As a busy mom of three littles, I know that having go-to healthy recipes that work every time is so important. This chopped salad recipe is just that! It’s perfect for those hot summer days when the last thing I want to do is turn the oven on or stand over the stove.

And what makes chopped salads so good? Everything is bite-size and dressed evenly so every single bite is just as good as the others. No more salad bites with dry lettuce and a giant piece of veggie! The magic of a good chopped salad is in having the right amount of each ingredient and not too much dressing. Use a veggie chopper for all of the ingredients and it’s even easier! You will love this hearty Italian chopped salad, it’s SO good.

What is an Italian Chopped Salad

An Italian Chopped Salad is a fresh, hearty salad made with crisp lettuce, chopped veggies, Italian meats, cheeses, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing. Everything is finely chopped so you get a little bit of everything in each bite, which is exactly what makes this salad SO good!

My version is made with romaine, salami, provolone, parmesan, tomatoes, shallot, artichokes, bell pepper, cucumber, and the easiest red wine vinaigrette. It’s fresh, crunchy, salty, savory, and full of bold Italian-inspired flavor. I love that it works as a side salad, but with 18 grams of protein per serving. It’s also filling enough to enjoy as a quick 20-minute dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Italian Chopped Salad

• So Much Flavor – Crunchy, fresh veggies, bold cheese, salami, and a tangy herby dressing all come together for a salad with flavor that is truly amazing! There’s nothing boring about this easy chopped salad.
• Easy to Make – Wash, chop, shake, and toss. Four basic steps and you’re ready to eat!
• Healthy and Filling – Nutrient-dense ingredients and plenty of protein make for a satisfying and filling salad!

Love Italian Flavors? Try my Vegan Pasta Bake and Farro with Blistered Tomatoes & Pesto!

Italian Salad Recipe Ingredients

You will love how the ingredients in this chopped salad complement one another and how simple they are to find at your local grocery store. Here’s what you will need:

Veggies & Toppings

• Romaine Lettuce – I LOVE the crisp and crunchy texture romaine brings to this salad. You can substitute with iceberg lettuce if you prefer. If you’d like to add a darker green, swap out half of the romaine for chopped kale to keep the crunchy texture.
• Uncured Salami – I prefer uncured salami because it doesn’t contain the additional artificial nitrates and nitrites that are used to preserve traditional salami. I also prefer the flavor! Feel free to sub with the salami of your choice, chicken, shrimp, or roasted chickpeas for a vegetarian salad.
• Sharp Provolone – Aged or sharp provolone cheese has a stronger, more robust flavor than traditional provolone which is so yummy in this salad. You can substitute with regular provolone, or another white cheese like mozzarella, havarti, or white American.
• Parmesan – The salty, nutty flavor of parmesan is so good! I love the texture of shaved parmesan but feel free to use whatever you like.
• Grape Tomatoes – Small grape tomatoes have a sweet bursting flavor and texture. Sometimes there are small tomatoes called different names like baby tomatoes, cherry, or snack tomatoes. Any of those will work!
• Shallots – Do you ever feel like onions overpower a salad? Me too. Shallots are much milder than large onions but add just the right flavor. Sweet yellow onion or red onions would work, as well!
• Marinated Artichokes – Artichoke hearts add a delicious umami flavor. You can substitute with artichokes that are canned in water for fewer calories or switch it up with hearts of palm instead.
• Cucumber & Bell Pepper -Fresh and crispy, I love these veggies in this salad. Use your favorite veggies as a substitute but stick with equal amounts of vegetables that have crunch like celery, radishes, and carrots.
• Fresh Basil and Walnuts – Fresh herbs and healthy fat walnuts are an optional topping for more texture and flavor.

Homemade Italian Dressing

• Olive Oil
• Dijon Mustard
• Italian Seasoning
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Salt/Pepper

How to Make the Best Italian Salad

It takes just 4 basic steps to get this salad ready and on you’re plate. Here’s how to make the BEST chopped salad recipe:

1. Combine all of the salad and topping ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Add the vinaigrette ingredients to a jar or salad dressing shaker, tighten the lid, and shake vigorously, or whisk in a small bowl.
3. Pour the dressing on and toss the salad well.
4. Top with fresh basil and walnuts and serve.

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Italian Salad Recipe Variations

• Chicken Chopped Salad – Add grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or chopped baked chicken breast to make this even more protein-packed.
• Turkey Pepperoni Swap – Swap the salami for turkey pepperoni for a lighter option that still adds that savory, Italian-style flavor.
• Mediterranean Chopped Salad – Add olives, roasted red peppers, chickpeas, and feta for a Mediterranean-inspired twist.
• More Toppings – Add finely chopped walnuts, sunflower seeds, croutons, or crispy chickpeas for even more texture.
• Dairy-Free Chopped Italian Salad – Leave out the provolone and parmesan or use your favorite dairy-free cheese. The dressing and veggies still bring so much flavor!
• Spicy Italian Salad – Add pepperoncini, banana peppers, crushed red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of Calabrian chili oil for a little kick.

Tips for Italian Chopped Salad Recipes

• Feel free to use any chopped veggies you want in this salad recipe.
• Use this Salad Chopper Blade & Bowl to quickly chop the lettuce and save time!
• While this Italian dressing recipe is truly SO good, feel free to save time with a store-bought dressing instead.
• Keep things fresh by waiting to add the meat, cheeses, and dressing until right before serving.
• Top with fresh basil and chopped walnuts to take things up a notch!

What to Serve with Chopped Italian Salad

This Chopped Italian Salad can absolutely stand on its own as a quick lunch or easy weeknight dinner, but it’s also amazing served with a cozy main dish, pasta, soup, or simple protein. I especially love it in the summer at a cookout! Here’s what I love to serve it with:

• Classic Burgers + Cookout Food – This salad is the BEST side dish for backyard cookouts!
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta – A cozy, family-friendly pasta dinner that pairs so well with the fresh crunch of this salad.
• Chicken Sun-Dried Tomato Pasta – This 30-minute pasta is flavorful, easy, and perfect with a simple Italian chopped salad on the side.
• Chicken Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Shells – Such a good comfort-food pairing, especially if you want a dinner that feels a little extra but is still easy.
• Tomato Soup – A warm bowl of soup with this crisp, flavorful salad is such a simple and comforting combo.

How to Store Chopped Italian Salad

Leftovers – Chopped salad is best eaten the day of making it. Store any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1-2 days!

Prepped Beforehand – Need to be able to throw everything together quickly? Chop the ingredients up to 2 days before serving and store the ingredients separately. Combine and toss right before serving.

Italian Chopped Salad Recipe FAQs

Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes

• Southwest Salad Dressing
• Vegan Turmeric Ginger Dressing
• Creamy Avocado Lime Dressing
• Creamy Lemon Tahini Dressing
• Honey Mustard Dressing Recipe

More Healthy Salads You’ll Love

• Peach Mozzarella Salad
• The BEST Lemon Balsamic Lentil Salad
• Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Creamy Vegan Pasta Salad
• Healthy Ground Turkey Taco Salad