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.

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.

You’ll Also Love: 100+ Quick Healthy Dinner Ideas

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!

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.

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