Who else loves chopped salad? I’m a huge fan of all salads, but chopped salad has to be one of my favorites. Because the ingredients are, well, chopped, you can get a little bit of everything in each bite, so it’s extra-flavorful and fun to eat! Speaking of fun, this chopped salad recipe comes from my friend Gaby’s new book What’s Gaby Cooking: Eat What You Want. If you’re not already familiar with Gaby’s blog and Instagram, you absolutely should be. Her recipes aren’t entirely vegetarian, but her California-style cooking is always packed with fresh produce. Her new book is gorgeous, colorful, and all about balance. You’ll find some recipes that are “light and easy when you want it,” and others that are “hearty and satisfying when you need it.” It’s a celebration of eating whatever makes you feel good, whether that’s a French Onion Grilled Cheese or a fresh salad like this one. Now that warm weather is finally(!) here, this chopped salad recipe is exactly what I want to eat. It’s light, fresh, and filled with tasty mix-ins, so even though it’s healthy, it doesn’t skimp on flavor. Enjoy it as a meal on its own or serve it as a side salad, but whatever you do, try it. It comes together in minutes, and it’s absolutely delicious.
Chopped Salad Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this chopped salad recipe:
Iceberg lettuce and radicchio – They create the salad’s fresh, crisp base. The green and red leaves are so pretty together! Red onion – For crunch and sharp, oniony flavor. Cherry tomatoes – With all that crisp lettuce and onion, you need something juicy to balance them out. Chickpeas – Try roasting them for extra crunch! Pearl mozzarella and provolone cheese – Why use one cheese when you could use two? I love the contrast of the soft mozzarella and the firm provolone. Pepperoncini – With their tangy, spicy flavor, they take this chopped salad to a whole new level! A lemon vinaigrette – This simple vinaigrette is like a homemade version of Italian dressing. Made with lemon juice, red wine vinegar, shallot, garlic, and dried oregano, it’s bright, tangy, and super easy to whisk together. Dried oregano – This simple, delicious garnish fills the whole salad with fresh Italian flavor.
Gaby also calls for cubed Genoa salami, but I skip it to make this recipe vegetarian. Instead, I season it with a few generous pinches of salt while assembling. That way, I don’t miss the meat at all! You could also replace the salami with chopped sun-dried tomatoes or roasted red peppers. Let me know what variations you try! Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
In the past, I’ve made chopped salad with romaine lettuce, but I’m obsessed with the mix of iceberg lettuce and radicchio in Gaby’s recipe. Because both come in round heads, you can slice them into uniform thin strips. The onion slices have a similar shape too, so everything mixes together perfectly.
Whisk together the salad dressing ingredients, chop up the veggies, and toss to combine! Trust me, you’re going to love this one.
Chopped Salad Serving Suggestions
Thanks to the cheese and chickpeas, this chopped salad is hearty enough to be a meal on its own! Served with a slice of crusty bread, homemade focaccia, or avocado toast, it’s a perfect healthy lunch. It’s also a great salad to serve as a side with pizza, pasta, or classic picnic fare. Pair it with a Margherita pizza, a summer veggie pizza, or any of these 25 easy pasta recipes, or serve it with one of these dishes for a fun summer cookout:
Best Veggie Burger BBQ Jackfruit Sandwiches Portobello Mushroom Burger Black Bean Burger Crispy Cauliflower Po’ Boy Sandwich
Try this chopped salad recipe, and then check out What’s Gaby Cooking: Eat What You Want! It’s a great choice for this time of year, because it includes so many fun summer recipes and entertaining menus. I have my eye on the Avocado Migas, Loaded Fattoush, Blackberry Thyme Cobbler, and the entire Mezze Platter entertaining chapter. Get the book!
More Favorite Salad Recipes
If you love this salad, try one of these fresh salad recipes next:
Greek Salad Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Cucumber Salad Easy Pasta Salad Best Broccoli Salad Asian Slaw Or any of these 37 Best Salad Recipes!
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons red wine vinegar1/2 shallot, finely chopped1 garlic clove, finely chopped1 tablespoon dried oregano1/2 teaspoon sea saltfreshly ground black pepper
1 small head iceberg lettuce1 head radicchio1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained4 ounces fresh pearl mozzarella, drained4 ounces provolone cheese, diced5 pepperoncini, stemmed and sliced1 teaspoons oregano, for garnishsea salt and freshly ground black pepper
