Description
A refreshing and vibrant Italian Chopped Salad featuring crisp romaine, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, tangy pepperoncini, and rich mozzarella cheese, all tossed in a zesty homemade red wine vinegar dressing with herbs and garlic. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed or mini balls
- 1/4 cup salami, diced (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, sliced pepperoncini peppers, cubed or mini mozzarella balls, diced salami if using, and chopped fresh basil. Toss lightly to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic clove, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss the salad to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing without bruising the delicate components like the mozzarella and basil.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh crunch and bright flavors, or place it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together for a slightly more developed taste.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit the salami.
- You can substitute pepperoncini with mild banana peppers if preferred.
- Fresh basil can be replaced with fresh parsley for a different herbaceous note.
- Make sure to chop the vegetables into bite-sized pieces to enhance the chopped salad texture.
- The salad is best consumed within a few hours of dressing to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
