Name: Italian Chopped Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 cups of Romaine lettuce, chopped; 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup of cucumber, diced; 1/2 cup of red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup of black olives, pitted and sliced; 1/2 cup of fresh mozzarella cheese pearls or cubed mozzarella; 1/2 cup of green bell peppers, diced; 1/4 cup of banana peppers, sliced; 1/4 cup of salami, sliced; 2 tablespoons of fresh basil, chopped; 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, preferably labeled “extra-light tasting”; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, (from 1 or 2 lemons); 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper; 1 tablespoon sugar

Jump to Recipe

My Italian Chopped Salad is packed with crisp romaine, hearty salami, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. It’s fresh, flavorful, and perfect for a quick lunch or a side dish at dinner!

close up of Italian chopped salad in white bowl

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If there’s one salad I could eat all the time, it’s this Italian chopped salad. Between the crisp lettuce, savory meats, and zesty dressing, there’s never a dull moment! I make this one often, and I have a feeling you will too!

Why I love this recipe

I’m all for a good salad, but plain lettuce? Not happening. This Italian Chopped Salad is packed with crunch, savory bites, and a little zing from the homemade dressing. Every forkful is full of bold Italian flavors, making it perfect as a main course or side salad.

If you love this, you should try my shrimp salad or my cucumber corn salad next!

Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this fresh and flavorful salad. It’s a delicious mix of textures and tastes with crisp veggies, savory salami, and a zesty homemade dressing!

For the Salad

salad ingredients in bowls on marble counter

Romaine lettuce
cherry tomatoes
cucumber
red onion
black olives
mozzarella cheese pearls
green bell peppers
banana peppers
salami
fresh basil and parsley

For the Dressing

italian dressing ingredients in bowls on counter

extra-virgin olive oil, preferably labeled “extra-light tasting”
red wine vinegar
garlic clove
Dijon mustard
fresh lemon juice
seasonings: dried oregano, sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and sugar

Step by step

Wash, chop, dice, and slice all the salad ingredients.
In a deep glass, combine all the dressing ingredients and blend with an immersion blender (affiliate link).
In a bowl, layer the salad ingredients, starting with the lettuce and fresh herbs.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

lettuce, tomatoes, and chopped cucumbers in white bowl

lettuce, tomatoes and mozzarella in bowl

Tips for best results

Keep the red onion slices extra thin so they don’t overpower everything else.
Fresh mozzarella makes the salad extra creamy—way better than shredded!

Italian chopped salad in white bowl on counter

Variations

This Italian chopped salad is super versatile! Swap the salami for grilled chicken or turkey to keep it light, or add chickpeas for extra protein. For some spice, mix in crushed red pepper or spicy banana peppers. And if you can’t find mozzarella pearls, cube a block of mozzarella or provolone cheese.

Serving suggestions

Whether as a side or a main dish, this Italian salad is a crowd-pleaser! I love serving it with homemade garlic bread or Texas toast for a simple meal, or, for a heartier option, enjoy it alongside a warm bowl of minestrone soup. It also pairs beautifully with pasta, grilled meats, or antipasto skewers.

Storage

Just place any leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you’re making it ahead of time, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. The dressing itself lasts about a week. Just give it a quick shake before using it!

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!