Description
The Italian Chopped Salad is a hearty, colorful dish inspired by traditional Italian antipasto platters. Often served as a side dish or appetizer, this salad features a variety of bold ingredients like salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, and Kalamata olives. It’s dressed with a tangy Italian vinaigrette, giving it that perfect balance of acidity and richness.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 4 oz salami, diced
- 4 oz pepperoni, diced
- 4 oz provolone cheese, diced
- 4 oz fresh mozzarella, diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup green olives, pitted and halved
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano (or 2 tsp dried)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Italian Vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, to balance acidity)
Optional Additions:
- 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
Making the Vinaigrette:
- Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, and Dijon mustard.
- Add seasonings: Whisk in oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Taste and adjust: Add sugar if the dressing is too acidic. Let sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Preparing the Salad:
- Prep lettuce: Wash, dry, and chop both romaine and iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large salad bowl.
- Prepare proteins: Dice salami and pepperoni into small, uniform pieces.
- Prepare cheese: Cut provolone and mozzarella into small cubes (about 1/4 inch).
- Prep vegetables:
- Halve cherry tomatoes
- Finely dice red onion
- Dice bell pepper
- Slice pepperoncini
- Chop sun-dried tomatoes
- Halve olives if they’re large
- Chop herbs: Finely chop fresh basil, oregano, and parsley.
Assembly:
- Layer ingredients: Add all prepared ingredients to the bowl with lettuce in this order:
- Diced meats
- Diced cheeses
- Cherry tomatoes
- Bell pepper
- Red onion
- Olives
- Pepperoncini
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Add herbs: Sprinkle fresh herbs over the top.
- Dress the salad: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad.
- Toss and serve: Using salad tongs or large spoons, toss everything together until well coated. Serve immediately.
Notes
This vibrant and hearty salad is packed with classic Italian flavors and perfect as a light meal or a side dish. For added flavor, toss in a few pepperoncini or drizzle with balsamic glaze. It also makes a great make-ahead lunch—just keep the dressing separate until ready to serve!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: Moderate
Keywords: Italian Chopped Salad Recipe