Italian Chopped Salad: A Bold, Flavor-Packed Classic You Can Make at Home

The Italian Chopped Salad is a vibrant, satisfying dish that brings together the bold flavors of Italy in a single, refreshing bowl. Unlike a typical leafy salad, this version is hearty, crunchy, and finely chopped to ensure every bite is a perfect mix of ingredients — savory meats, sharp cheeses, crisp vegetables, and a zesty homemade vinaigrette.

Whether served as a main dish, side, or party crowd-pleaser, this salad is easy to make and endlessly customizable. In this article, we’ll break down what makes Italian Chopped Salad so iconic and walk you through how to make it step by step.

Why It’s Called a “Chopped” Salad

In a chopped salad, every ingredient is cut into uniform, bite-sized pieces and mixed thoroughly — no oversized lettuce leaves or toppings just sitting on top. This method ensures balance, so each forkful delivers a medley of flavors and textures. Italian Chopped Salad specifically focuses on ingredients commonly found in Italian cuisine — from cured meats to pickled peppers to sharp cheeses.

Key Features of an Italian Chopped Salad

Balanced texture: Crunchy, creamy, and juicy elements
Savory richness: Salami, pepperoni, or prosciutto
Briny brightness: Olives, pepperoncini, and red wine vinegar
Fresh vegetables: Crisp romaine, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions
Bold dressing: Zesty Italian vinaigrette with garlic and herbs

Ingredients (Serves 4)

🥗 Salad Base

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
1/2 head radicchio or iceberg lettuce (optional), chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
1/2 cup kalamata or black olives, sliced
1/2 cup provolone cheese, cubed or shredded
1/2 cup salami or pepperoni, chopped
1/4 cup Parmesan, shaved or grated

🍋 Dressing (Zesty Italian Vinaigrette)

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for heat

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing

In a small bowl or mason jar, combine:

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Shake or whisk until fully emulsified. Taste and adjust acidity, saltiness, or spice as desired. Set aside while the flavors meld.

💡 Tip: Make the dressing ahead for deeper flavor and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Step 2: Wash and Chop the Veggies

Chop the romaine and radicchio into small, uniform pieces.
Halve the cherry tomatoes.
Dice the cucumber finely for crunch.
Thinly slice the red onion (you can soak it in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce sharpness).
Slice the olives and pepperoncini.