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Big Italian Chopped Salad Recipe

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4.3 from 5 reviews

This Big Italian Chopped Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish packed with fresh vegetables, savory salami, creamy provolone, and tangy pepperoncini. Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing with red wine vinegar, garlic, and oregano, it combines hearty ingredients like artichoke hearts and chickpeas for a satisfying and colorful Mediterranean-inspired salad perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Salad

  • 2 medium romaine hearts, finely chopped (about 8 cups)
  • 3 ounces salami, sliced ¼-inch thick and cut into strips or quarters (about 1 cup)
  • 4 ounces provolone, sliced ¼-inch thick and cut into strips or quarters (about 1 cup)
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
  • 1 cup English cucumber, small diced
  • ¼ medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • ⅓ cup pepperoncini, roughly chopped
  • ⅓ cup kalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped
  • 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, well drained and roughly chopped
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and well drained
  • ½ cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Make the Dressing: In a very large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
  2. Assemble the Salad: To the same bowl with the dressing, add the finely chopped romaine hearts, sliced salami, provolone, quartered cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, chopped pepperoncini, chopped kalamata olives, chopped artichoke hearts, and rinsed chickpeas. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to combine and coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
  3. Add Parmesan and Toss Again: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss once more until the cheese is evenly incorporated and the salad ingredients are well coated. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.

Notes

  • For best results, use fresh and crisp romaine hearts to maintain a crunchy texture.
  • You can substitute salami with pepperoni or omit for a vegetarian version, adding more chickpeas or beans if desired.
  • The salad is best served immediately but can be chilled for up to 2 hours; avoid dressing too far in advance to prevent sogginess.
  • Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing to taste for more or less sweetness.
  • Feel free to add other Italian-style toppings like roasted red peppers or basil for extra flavor.

Find it online: https://marthatasty.com/big-italian-chopped-salad-recipe/