Description
The Italian Grinder Chopped Salad is a vibrant and flavorful salad combining crisp romaine, juicy cherry tomatoes, savory Italian cured meats, provolone cheese, tangy Kalamata olives, and sharp red onions all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect as a hearty main dish or a colorful side, this easy-to-prepare salad offers fresh, bold flavors and a satisfying crunch that can be customized to suit various dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cured Italian meats (salami, pepperoni, and capicola), diced
- 1/2 cup provolone cheese, diced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (vinaigrette with herbs)
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped
- Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese
- Cracked black pepper
- Extra whole Kalamata olives
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Wash and dry all fresh produce. Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and dice the Italian meats and provolone cheese into small cubes. Pit and slice Kalamata olives if necessary.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped lettuce, halved tomatoes, diced Italian meats, provolone cheese, Kalamata olives, and sliced red onion. Toss gently to evenly distribute all ingredients.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the Italian dressing evenly over the combined salad ingredients. Toss again carefully to ensure every bite is coated with dressing. Add more dressing if a wetter salad is preferred.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish the salad with optional fresh herbs such as basil or parsley to add brightness and aroma. Serve immediately for optimal texture, or refrigerate if serving later.
Notes
- Use crisp, fresh romaine lettuce to maintain crunch and prevent sogginess.
- Adjust the ratio of meats to vegetables to suit your dietary preferences.
- Chop all ingredients uniformly for ease of eating and a visually appealing salad.
- Add dressing just before serving to avoid wilting.
- Use a high-quality Italian dressing made with fresh herbs for authentic flavor.
- Keep the salad undressed and refrigerated for up to two days to maintain freshness.
- Freezing this salad is not recommended as it affects texture and flavor.
- Serve garnished with shaved Parmesan, cracked black pepper, or additional olives for flair.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Italian Salad, Chopped Salad, Italian Grinder Salad, Easy Salad, Gluten Free Salad, Italian Dressing