Fresh Italian Chopped Salad with Mozzarella and Salami
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If you’re craving something fresh, crunchy, and full of flavor, this Italian Chopped Salad hits the spot. With crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, herby goodness, salty salami, and creamy mozzarella, every bite is a little party. Toss it all in a tangy homemade vinaigrette, and you’ve got a salad perfect for lunch, dinner, or serving up to friends.
Italian chopped salads are my go-to when I want something light yet satisfying.
They’re full of crunch, color, and bold Italian flavors. The homemade zesty dressing ties it all together with a perfect tangy kick. Whether serving it as a main course or a flavorful side, this salad will surely impress.
It’s one of those recipes that looks fancy but is actually super simple to put together—no cooking required!
Looking for more salad ideas? Try this Italian Grinder Salad next!
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this vibrant Italian chopped salad:
For the Salad:
For the Zesty Dressing:
Ingredient Notes
Lettuce – Romaine is crisp and refreshing. Try a spring mix or iceberg for a twist.
Mozzarella – Use mozzarella pearls for convenience or swap in feta for a tangier bite.
Banana Peppers – Add zip! Pickled jalapeños or roasted red peppers make fun subs.
Olive Oil – “Extra-light tasting” keeps the dressing from overpowering the salad.
See the printable recipe card below for full quantities and details.
Recipe Variations
Add Chickpeas – For an extra protein boost and fiber.
Go Veggie – Leave out the meat and double up on peppers or add avocado.
Make It a Pasta Salad – Toss in cooked rotini for a heartier version.
Spice It Up – Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing
How to Make Italian Chopped Salad: Step by Step
Here are quick visual instructions. Be sure to check out the full instructions with exact ingredients in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Begin by chopping, dicing, and slicing the ingredients listed in the salad ingredients section.
Step 2: Combine all the dressing ingredients in a deep glass and mix thoroughly with an immersion blender.
Step 3: Assemble the salad by layering it in the following order: start with the chopped lettuce, followed by the halved cherry tomatoes, diced green bell peppers, diced cucumbers, cubed mozzarella cheese, sliced salami, thinly sliced red onions, sliced black olives, banana peppers, and the chopped basil and parsley.
Step 4: Finish by topping the layered salad with the prepared zesty dressing. Chop, dice, and slice all salad ingredients.
Step 5: Thoroughly mix all dressing ingredients in a deep glass using an immersion blender.
Step 6: Layer the salad in a bowl starting with lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, mozzarella, salami, red onions, olives, banana peppers, basil, and parsley.
Step 7: Pour the prepared dressing over the layered salad.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Use a salad spinner to ensure your romaine is extra dry before assembling.
Prep all ingredients and keep the dressing separate until ready to serve.
Grilled chicken or chickpeas make great additions if you want to make it a full meal.
Chill ingredients before assembly for a crisp, refreshing bite.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can chop all the veggies and prepare the dressing in advance. Store them separately and combine just before serving.
Turkey, grilled chicken, or vegetarian options like marinated tofu or chickpeas work great.
Leftover dressing can be stored in the fridge in a sealed jar for up to one week. Shake well before using.
I hope you love this Italian Chopped Salad!
If you try it, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below. I’d love to hear what you think!
More Salad Recipes
Fresh Italian Chopped Salad with Mozzarella and Salami
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 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 cubed
- 1/2 cup of green bell peppers diced
- 1/4 cup of banana peppers sliced
- 1/4 cup of salami sliced
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
For the Zesty Dressing:
- 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 freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
- Begin by chopping, dicing, and slicing the ingredients listed in the salad ingredients section.
- In a deep glass, combine all the dressing ingredients and use an immersion blender to mix them thoroughly.
- Assemble the salad by layering it in the following order: start with the chopped lettuce, followed by the halved cherry tomatoes, diced green bell peppers, diced cucumbers, cubed mozzarella cheese, sliced salami, thinly sliced red onions, sliced black olives, banana peppers, and the chopped basil and parsley.
- Finish by topping the layered salad with the prepared zesty dressing.Chop, dice, and slice all salad ingredients.
- Thoroughly mix all dressing ingredients in a deep glass using an immersion blender.
- Layer the salad in a bowl starting with lettuce, then tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, mozzarella, salami, red onions, olives, banana peppers, basil, and parsley.
- Pour the prepared dressing over the layered salad.
The nutritional details for recipes are estimated using MyFitnessPal and can vary with different products, measurement accuracy, and source reliability. We aim to provide accurate information but cannot guarantee the precise accuracy of the nutritional data