Yield: 6

The Easiest Italian Chopped Salad

This Italian chopped salad is the perfect fresh starter or meal with tons of flavor and nutrients in every bite! A great summer or springtime meal!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

For Salad

  • ½ small red onion
  • 1 15oz can garbanzo beans/chickpeas
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce
  • 2 cups radicchio
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 large cucumber
  • 5 peperoncini
  • Dried oregano, to sprinkle

For Vinaigrette

  • 2 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 ½ tablespoon minced kalamata olives
  • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 ½ cup olive oil

Optional

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette starting by whisking the oregano, basil, black pepper, parmesan cheese, garlic cloves, and red wine vinegar together.
  2. Add in the minced olives and the olive oil and whisk until combined nicely then set it aside. hands holding white bowl of salad dressing
  3. Slice the red onion into thin strips, then place those into a bowl of ice water and let it stand for 5 minutes. hand holding red onion and knife on cutting board
  4. Remove the onions from the water and pat them dry before adding them to a large bowl. red onions laying on paper towel
  5. Prepare the remaining vegetables by cutting or chopping them into small pieces. We did traditionally bite-sized pieces, but you can chop as small as you prefer.
  6. To the bowl with onions, add the lettuce, radicchio, tomatoes, cucumber, drained and rinsed chickpeas, grated parmesan cheese, and diced pepperoncini peppers, and salt. salt in glass bowl being poured over salad
  7. Then pour 1/2 cup of the homemade vinaigrette over the vegetables. You can add more if desired, but start with 1/2 cup.
  8. Add the whole kalamata olives, then toss the salad to distribute the vinaigrette evenly. stainless steel bowl of salad being tossed
  9. If desired, you can also add a few tablespoons of lemon juice to lighten up the flavors before serving. Just toss well so it's not overwhelming to the palate. lemon wedges on top of salad in white oval bowl on wood table

Notes

Add or subtract your preferred vegetables. You can also use any ready-med red wine vinegar vinaigrette.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 704Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 48gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 1050mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 10gSugar: 9gProtein: 12g