This Italian Chopped Salad is loaded with crisp romaine, tomatoes, olives, artichoke hearts, provolone cheese, and salami all tossed with a simple vinaigrette. This salad is great as a side but hearty enough to be a full meal!
Editor’s Note: Originally published on July 21, 2019. Updated with new information, photos, and improved recipe on May 31, 2024.
As much as I love a big hearty meal, sometimes I want something a little bit lighter and this loaded Italian chopped salad always hits the mark.
It’s not only easy to make, but so delicious and versatile!
I love it alongside a cup of soup like Italian lentil soup or even pasta fagioli but it’s substantial enough to stand on its own!
Recipe Ingredients
All ingredients for this recipe are shown in the pic below and special notes are made in this bulleted list to assist you.
- Lettuce. I prefer to use romaine lettuce here but you can also use iceberg, or a combination of iceberg and romaine.
- Meat and cheese. I used a combination of genoa salami and provolone cheese. When you go to the deli counter ask that the meat and cheese be sliced into 1/4 inch-thick slices. This is the best size for this Italian chopped salad.
- Jarred ingredients. I like to use a combination of pepperoncini, also known as Tuscan peppers, and artichoke hearts for flavor and texture. Olives are also a must. I used oil-cured olives but you can use any variety of olive you’d like.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Top tip
To prevent a soggy salad, start off by using only some of the dressing, then add a bit more as needed. Also, it’s best to hold off on adding the cherry tomatoes until right before serving.
More awesome salad recipes
If you love crisp and green salads give these other recipes a try!
- Chicken Caesar Salad – with pan-seared chicken and homemade dressing and croutons.
- New York Diner-Style Greek Salad – with feta, tomatoes, olives, and the best dressing ever.
- Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing – baby spinach, red onion, mushrooms, and crispy bacon.
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Italian Chopped Salad
Ingredients
For the vinaigrette
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian oregano
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the salad
- 3 large romaine hearts chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 medium red onion chopped
- 1/4 pound 1/4-inch thick sliced Genoa salami chopped
- 1/2 pound 1/4-inch thick sliced soft provolone chopped
- 1/4 cup oil cured black olives rinsed, pitted, and sliced
- 1/2 cup Tuscan peppers (pepperoncini) stems removed and chopped
- 1 10-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts drained and quartered
- 1/4 cup basil leaves chopped
Instructions
For the vinaigrette
- Whisk together all of the ingredients and set aside.
For the salad
- Remove and discard the outer rough leaves and core of the Romaine head. Chop into bite sized pieces.
- Place the chopped lettuce, olives, Tuscan peppers, red onion, salami, and provolone in a large salad bowl.
- Whisk the vinaigrette one more time, then pour half of it over the salad and toss to coat.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and basil on top. Serve the salad with the remaining vinaigrette on the table for anyone who would like more. Enjoy!
Notes
- The cherry tomatoes will make the salad soggy and get crushed if added too early.
- Start off by using some, but not all, of the dressing. It’s better to have an under dressed salad that can be added to, than a soggy one.
- If you would like leftovers, do not dress the salad.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was originally published on July 21, 2019. It was completely updated on May 31, 2024.
thank you SO much, Jim for your fabulous recipes! I make many of them and they always turn out wonderful! Your style is truly unique, the way you explain everything, show the ingredients and also give tips on the food, etc. I love the way your son is the taste tester, etc. I get hungry just watching you guys eating the finished product!
Thanx again and keep up the great cooking!
We’re so happy you are enjoying the recipes and videos, Jan! Thanks for the comment!
I think James is a very talented chef. I only wish he were my son & lived at home. I’m 75 yo & live alone so don’t cook much but if he’d cook for me I’d just love it! God bless that talented mind & hands!!♥️♥️
Love stuffed peppers! This recipe has some awesome tips to make them even better than mine!
Delicious! One of my favorite salads!
Hi Carolyn, thank you and so happy you enjoyed this salad!