Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Italian Chopped Salad is a vibrant, hearty salad loaded with crisp lettuce, savory meats, tangy cheeses, and briny olives, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. It’s colorful, full of bold flavors, and perfect as a main dish, side salad, or for easy entertaining.

ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
romaine lettuce (chopped)radicchio (optional, for color and bitterness)salami (sliced into strips)provolone cheese (cubed or shredded)cherry tomatoes (halved)red onion (thinly sliced)pepperoncini peppers (sliced)black or kalamata olives (halved)cucumber (diced)Italian dressingparmesan cheese (optional for topping)

directions

In a large bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce and radicchio.

Add salami, provolone cheese, cherry tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncini peppers, olives, and cucumber.

Drizzle with Italian dressing and toss well to coat everything evenly.

Top with freshly grated parmesan if desired.

Serve immediately for the freshest taste and crunch.

Servings and timing

This recipe yields approximately 4-6 servings.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes

Variations

Use mozzarella pearls instead of provolone.
Add chickpeas for extra protein and texture.
Swap salami for turkey or grilled chicken for a lighter option.
Include roasted red peppers for a smoky-sweet twist.

storage/reheating

Store undressed salad ingredients separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Dress the salad just before serving to maintain crispness.

FAQs

Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the salami and add more veggies or beans.

What’s the best lettuce to use?
Romaine holds up well, but iceberg is also a crisp choice.

Is store-bought Italian dressing okay?
Yes, or make your own for extra freshness.

Can I make it ahead of time?
Prepare the ingredients ahead and toss with dressing right before serving.

What meats can I use besides salami?
Pepperoni, prosciutto, or mortadella are delicious alternatives.

Can I add pasta to make it a pasta salad?
Absolutely, cooked short pasta like rotini works great.

Is it gluten-free?
Yes, as long as the dressing and meats are gluten-free.

Can I use bottled roasted red peppers?
Yes, they add great flavor and color.

What cheeses work best?
Provolone, mozzarella, or even asiago are all fantastic choices.

Can I make it spicy?
Add extra pepperoncini or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

Conclusion

Italian Chopped Salad is a fresh, hearty, and flavor-packed dish that’s incredibly easy to customize and perfect for any occasion. With its bold ingredients and zesty dressing, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that brings a burst of vibrant Mediterranean flavor to your table!