Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (2024)

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This Italian Salad Recipe doesn’t just have a great texture – it also provides wonderful flavor combinations of tangy and mildly bitter, with a hint of salt and sweetness that will leave you wanting more.

Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (1)

I recently had a conversation with a colleague about when salads should be served: before or after the main course?

A seafood salad is undoubtedly the best appetizer salad and an Italian Potato Salad is a great side salad dish.

My Italian upbringing dictated that green salad recipes are served at the end of a (big) meal… before the onslaught of cheese, fruit and desserts.

What about you?

Do you have a preference?

When do you serve this Italian salad?

During the same conversation, my colleague and I discussed easy vs. complicated recipes.

I don’t know about you, but I like to have a balance between the two when hosting, especially during the holidays.

The presence of easy recipes gives me a sense of security and creates an illusion that I have everything under control 😉 And nothing can be easier than a salad like this one.

Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (2)

I can also assure you that it does not get any tastier than this tossed Italian salad. It’s so good that you always manage to have a few extra bites of it even after a large meal.

As in most salad recipes, you must combine the actual salad and the dressing.

I like to combine the ingredients for the dressing in a mason jar, shake it vigorously, refrigerate it, and forget about it until I am ready to dress my salad. I will usually prepare the salad dressing the day before the big event.

Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (3)

As far as the actual salad recipe is concerned, I like to use a mixture of greens such as romaine, radicchio and endive.

I think everyone is familiar with romaine lettuce.

But what about these white-veined purplish leaves?

Radicchio belongs to the chicory family and has a distinctive, slightly bitter taste. According to Wikipedia, the vegetable can be traced back to the fifteenth century in Italy’s Veneto region. Radicchio is extremely pleasing to look at, and it’s a slightly healthier green than, say, iceberg lettuce!

Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (4)

As far as the endive is concerned, it also belongs to the chicory family. It is equally crispy, providing a slightly bitter taste, but is much nuttier than the radicchio. These veggies will provide you with a healthy dose of vitamins, minerals, and even a little fiber.

Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (5)

You are probably familiar with the rest of the salad ingredients. I want to bring your attention to just two others. The first is the Roasted Garlic Cloves. It is an easy recipe to make and a game-changer as far as taste is concerned.

The second is the ricotta salata. As you probably know, ricotta is a sheep milk cheese. Unlike its fresh, moist and wet counterpart, homemade ricotta Cheese, Ricotta Salata is an aged, pressed cheese whose final product has a crumbly yet firm texture, with a salty, almost tangy flavor.

It is great to use in salads as it perfectly complements the greens’ bitterness. You should be able to find this cheese in your specialty cheese shop.

I will usually toss all the salad ingredients together. Then, when the time is right, pour the dressing over the top, toss and plate. Serve with a piece of nice crusty bread. Whole wheat, of course!

Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (6)

Recipe inspiration

Along with this Refreshing Italian Fennel Citrus Salad, this was one of my Mom’s signature salads. Both of these salads are so ridiculously easy to put together. As a bonus, they are definite crowd-pleasers.

This Italian green salad will give you and your guests a colorful and tasty way to end any meal. I hope you enjoy this recipe.

THANKS SO MUCHfor following and being part of theShe Loves Biscotticommunity where you will findSimple & Tasty Family-Friendly Recipes with an Italian Twist.

Ciao for now,

Maria

★★★★★ If you have made this Italian chopped salad recipe, I would love to hear about it in the comments below and be sure to rate the recipe!

Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (7)

Recipe

Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (8)

Italian Salad Recipe

This Italian Salad Recipe has great texture & provides wonderful flavor combinations in just one bite.

5 from 4 votes

Print Save Recipe Pin Rate

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 284kcal

Author: Maria Vannelli RD

Ingredients

The Dressing:

  • cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1-2 oven roasted garlic cloves minced and smashed into a paste
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • generous pinch of pepper or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon honey

The Salad:

  • 1 large head romaine lettuce washed, dried and chopped
  • 1 head radicchio washed, dried and chopped
  • 1 head endive washed, dried and chopped
  • ¼ cup parsley fresh, finely chopped
  • 4-5 fresh basil leaves fresh, torn up
  • 1 small cucumber chopped
  • 1 celery rib chopped (I also chop about 1 tablespoon of the celery leaves)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes chopped in half (about 1 large handful)
  • ½ cup pitted green olives
  • ½ cup crumbled Ricotta Salata in a pinch, can substitute with feta cheese

Instructions

The Dressing:

  • Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a mason jar.

  • Cover and shake vigorously.

  • Refrigerate until ready to be used (I will usually make the dressing the day before I need it).

The Salad:

  • In a large mixing bowl, add all the salad ingredients.

  • Toss to combine.

  • Shake the dressing one final time before pouring over your salad.

  • Toss well.

  • Transfer to your serving platter.

  • Serve immediately.

Scroll UP for the STEP by STEP PhotosDon't miss the process shots and videos included in most posts. Simply scroll up the post to find them. Those were created especially for you so that you can make the recipe perfectly every single time you try it.

Notes

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 621mg | Potassium: 632mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3870IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 159mg | Iron: 2.1mg

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Italian Salad Recipe: With Chopped Greens (2024)

FAQs

What is chopped Italian salad made of? ›

Classic Ingredients for an Italian Chopped Salad
  1. Cherry Tomatoes.
  2. Red Onion – soak slices briefly in cold water to soften their pungency.
  3. Chickpeas – see note about marinating chickpeas in advance.
  4. Genoa Salami.
  5. Provolone Cheese – or bocconcini.
  6. Pepperoncini – spicy deli-style pickled peppers.
  7. Dried Oregano – not stale!
Dec 16, 2023

What does a chopped salad contain? ›

In a very large salad bowl combine corn, beans, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and half the chives. Add two or three spoonfuls of dressing and toss gently to combine. Add the lettuce to bowl.

What kind of salad do they eat in Italy? ›

Italians eat salads both on plates and bowls. Serving salad after the main course of a meal in an older tradition in Italy and now days it is usually eat dinner also. common salads in Italy include panzanella, caprese,tuna, and fennel-orange variation.

What is the most popular salad green? ›

The most popular of this type, and perhaps most popular of all the greens on this list, is iceberg lettuce. It was created in the 1940s as a sturdy head of lettuce that would hold up well to shipping. Though it's not the best source of nutrients, it does have a terrific crunch that's hard to beat.

What is Italian salad dressing made of? ›

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, parsley, honey, oregano, garlic, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper. If desired, stir in the cheese.

What does it mean when a salad is chopped? ›

What does it mean to ask for a salad chopped? It simply means that all the ingredients, including the lettuce, are chopped up small. This allows for the dressing to get into every inch of the salad and makes it so good.

Why do chopped salads taste better? ›

In a tossed salad, you may taste two or even several ingredients at a time, but rarely are all present in each mouthful, and the proportion of flavors varies widely from bite to bite. But a well-made chopped salad presents you with a harmonious, balanced combination of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter flavors every time.

How do you make chopped salad last longer? ›

Use a Salad Spinner: Before chopping your vegetables, use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture. This will help to keep the vegetables crisp and fresh for longer. Store in an Airtight Container: Once you have chopped your vegetables, store them in an airtight container.

What is the most eaten vegetable in Italy? ›

The vegetable that's most associated with Italian cuisine is, without a doubt, the tomato.

What dressings do Italians use? ›

Despite its name, Italian dressing is not used in Italy, where salad is normally dressed with olive oil, vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and sometimes balsamic vinegar at the table, and not with a pre-mixed vinaigrette.

How do Italians serve salad? ›

Serving salad after the main course of a meal is an older tradition in Italy, and nowadays it is usually observed at large and formal dinners rather than during everyday meals. Eating a salad after a meal can help digestion, while eating one before a meal may help discourage overeating.

What is a good base for a salad? ›

Start with a base

The good carbs listed below provide you with energy, fibre, vitamins and minerals – and they serve as excellent salad bases: leafy greens such as romaine, arugula, kale and spinach. whole grains such as quinoa, brown rice and bulgur.

What is the healthiest salad greens? ›

Best: Spinach or Kale Salad

They have the most nutrients. Case in point: Kale and spinach have over 10 times more immune-boosting vitamins A and C than iceberg lettuce. Not a fan of those? Turn over a new leaf: Boston, bibb, and romaine lettuces have a mild flavor, while arugula and watercress have a peppery bite.

What is the healthiest salad to eat? ›

Some options for healthy salads include: Mixed greens salad with a variety of vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and carrots, and a source of protein, such as grilled chicken or tofu. You can add a dressing made with olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice for flavor.

How many calories are in a chopped Italian salad? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
311Calories
21gFat
20gCarbs
9gProtein
Feb 23, 2024

What is regular vs chopped salad? ›

What's the difference between a chopped salad and a regular salad? A chopped salad is a salad that has all of its ingredients chopped into small pieces. This makes it easier to eat and also allows the flavors of the ingredients to mix together more evenly.

Are chopped salads healthy? ›

Interestingly, chopping may actually increase the amount of beneficial compounds known as polyphenols: plant chemicals with antioxidant properties that may help protect against the development of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and neurodegenerative diseases.

What is in a Subway Club Chopped salad? ›

Our premium sliced turkey breast, lean roast beef and tasty Black Forest ham…all tossed with crunchy lettuce and your choice of tasty veggies. It's the Subway Club® chopped salad, and it's amazing.

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