Best 3 Tossed Italian Garden Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey through Italy with our exquisite Tossed Italian Garden Salad. This refreshing salad captures the vibrant flavors and colors of a traditional Italian garden. Crisp romaine lettuce forms the base, complemented by a symphony of fresh vegetables, including ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, and savory red onions. The salad is further enriched with the addition of salty olives and tangy feta cheese, creating a delightful balance of flavors.

For the dressing, we offer three irresistible options: a classic Italian vinaigrette, a creamy Caesar dressing, and a flavorful balsamic vinaigrette. Each dressing enhances the salad's natural flavors in its own unique way, allowing you to customize your salad experience.

To make the Italian vinaigrette, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. For the creamy Caesar dressing, blend mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth. And for the balsamic vinaigrette, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.

Whether you prefer a light and tangy vinaigrette or a rich and creamy dressing, our Tossed Italian Garden Salad has something for everyone. So gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a culinary adventure that will transport you to the heart of Italy.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ITALIAN CHOPPED SALAD



Italian Chopped Salad image

This Italian Chopped Salad rivals any restaurant Italian salad there is. It's one of my favorite chopped salad recipes because it's loaded with a variety of healthy ingredients tossed in a delicious homemade Italian dressing that will have you coming back for seconds!

Provided by Deborah

Categories     Salads

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 21

2-1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1-1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus more to taste
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 tablespoons minced kalamata olives
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1-1/2 cups good extra-virgin olive oil
Half of a small red onion, halved through the core
1-1/2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
4 cups romaine lettuce (about 1 large or two small heads), rinsed, dried and chopped
2 cups radicchio (about 1 medium head)
1 pint small sweet cherry tomatoes, halved through the stem ends
1 large cucumber, peeled and seeded then cut in half and sliced
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese (or 4 ounces aged provolone, sliced into strips)
5 peperoncini, stems cut off and discarded, thinly sliced
1/2 cup kalamata olives
1/2 cup Italian Vinaigrette
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Dired oregano, for sprinkling

Steps:

  • Slice the layers of onions lengthwise 1/16 inch thick. Place the onion slices in a small bowl of ice water and set aside.
  • Drain the onion and pat dry with paper towels before adding them to the salad.
  • Thinly slice the lettuce and radicchio.
  • In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, radicchio, tomatoes,cucumber, garbanzo beans, cheese, ,peperoncini, and onion slices.
  • Toss to thoroughly combine the ingredients.
  • Drizzle 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette and the juice of the lemon over the salad, then toss gently to coat the salad with the dressing.
  • Taste for seasoning and add more lemon juice, or vinaigrette if desired.
  • Sprinkle with extra oregano and serve.
  • Combine the vinegar, oregano, lemon juice, garlic, kalamata olives, Parmesan cheese, and pepper in a medium bowl and whisk to combine the ingredients.
  • Set aside for 5 minutes to marinate the oregano and basil.
  • Add the olive oil in a slow thin stream, whisking constantly to combine. You can also add all the ingredients to a glass jar with a lid and shake to combine.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 673 calories, Carbohydrate 26 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 5 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 62 grams fat, Fiber 6 grams fiber, Protein 7 grams protein, SaturatedFat 9 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 1043 milligrams sodium, Sugar 11 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 51 grams unsaturated fat

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD (COPYCAT)



Olive Garden Salad (Copycat) image

My whole family loves Olive Garden's Salad! There are already a couple of recipes here for the dressing, so here is a recipe for the salad itself.

Provided by Halcyon Eve

Categories     Greens

Time 15m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 (12 ounce) bag iceberg garden salad
1/4 small red onion, sliced paper-thin
6 -12 pitted black olives
6 mild pepperoncini peppers
1 -2 small roma tomato, sliced
1/2 cup crouton
Italian dressing (or use a recipe for Olive Garden's House Dressing)
freshly grated parmesan cheese, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

  • In a large glass or wooden salad serving bowl, toss together the lettuce mix, onion slices, olives, pepperoncini, tomatoes, and croutons. Add dressing and toss to combine.
  • Serve with fresh Parmesan cheese and black pepper to taste.

GARDEN TOSSED SALAD



Garden Tossed Salad image

My Italian grandma grew all of her produce in her backyard garden, so many of her recipes made good use of her bountiful fresh vegetables. This salad is refreshing with any main course and one of our favorites because of the flavors of my Italian heritage. -Rosalie Rizzolo-Wright, San Jose, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

8 cups torn mixed salad greens
1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
1/2 medium green pepper, sliced
1 teaspoon minced fresh basil or 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
DRESSING:
1/4 cup olive oil
4-1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the oil, vinegar, oregano, garlic powder, salt and pepper; shake well. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts :

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your salad.
  • Wash your greens thoroughly. This will remove any dirt or debris.
  • Dry your greens thoroughly. This will help prevent the salad from becoming watery.
  • Use a light hand with the dressing. You don't want to overpower the flavors of the salad.
  • Serve the salad immediately. This will prevent the greens from wilting.

Conclusion:

A tossed Italian garden salad is a refreshing and healthy side dish that can be enjoyed all year round. With its colorful mix of greens, vegetables, and herbs, it's a great way to add some extra nutrients to your diet. Plus, it's easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. So next time you're looking for a simple and delicious salad recipe, give this one a try!

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