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Fresh Chopped Salad Recipe with Easy Zesty Italian Dressing Perfect for Summer

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A crisp and refreshing chopped salad featuring fresh vegetables tossed in a homemade zesty Italian dressing, perfect for summer meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (use sweet onion if preferred)
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • ½ cup carrots, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse all fresh produce under cold water and pat dry with a clean towel.
  2. Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized 1-inch chunks.
  3. Dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion finely.
  4. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the black olives.
  5. Shred the carrots using a box grater or food processor.
  6. Chop fresh parsley finely and place all chopped veggies into a large mixing bowl.
  7. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, honey, salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
  8. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  9. Pour the dressing over the chopped vegetables in the large bowl.
  10. Using salad tongs or two large spoons, gently toss the salad until everything is coated evenly without bruising the lettuce.
  11. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top for garnish and serve immediately.
  12. If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving to avoid sogginess.

Notes

Soak diced onion in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow sharpness if desired. Use a serrated knife for tomatoes to avoid squishing. Add a splash more olive oil if salad seems dry. Toss salad just before serving to keep it crisp. Dressing can be made ahead and stored separately. Substitute lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for red wine vinegar for a brighter zing. For vegan option, replace honey with maple syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: fresh chopped salad, zesty Italian dressing, summer salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, gluten-free salad, dairy-free salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/fresh-chopped-salad-recipe-with-easy-zesty-italian-dressing-perfect-for-summer/