Italian Salad
This easy Italian salad recipe is a family favorite! It's a traditional Italian garden salad with homemade Italian dressing that's delicious!
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 10 oz. romaine lettuce or Italian garden salad blend roughly chopped
- 1/2 small red onion sliced thin
- 1 cup grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup croutons (optional - see notes)
- 1/4 cup black olives pitted
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini (around 6-8 pepperoncini or banana peppers)
- 1/2 cup parmesan or Plant-based Parmesan
Italian Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vinegar (white, red wine, or apple cider vinegar all work.)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese or Plant-based Parmesan
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 garlic clove minced or crushed)
- salt & pepper to taste (I use about ¼ - ½ tsp of salt and pepper)
Instructions
Italian Salad Dressing
- The dressing can be made 3 ways:1. Add the Italian seasoning, parmesan, garlic powder, vinegar, and lemon juice to a bowl and whisk to combine, then whisk in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.2. Add all ingredients to a mason jar, then shake well to combine.3. Add all ingredients to a small food processor, then blend to combine. This method creates a thicker, creamy Italian dressing.
Italian Garden Salad
- To make the salad, add all of the ingredients to a large salad bowl, drizzle with the Italian dressing, then toss to combine. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese or Plant-based Parmesan and season with freshly ground pepper and salt if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Croutons - Croutons are optional. For a crunchy gluten-free alternative that is packed with protein and fiber, try adding these Italian Herb Walnuts, or some sliced Garlic Roasted Almonds or these Roasted Pistachios. If you want to make your own croutons, this Italian Herb Bread, or my favorite Parmesan Garlic Bread are great options.
- Parmesan - for a vegan salad you can use this Plant-based Parmesan Cheese that is ready in 3 minutes!
- Add Protein - If you are serving this salad as a main course, you can toss in some protein, like Italian Roasted Shrimp, or Garlic Herb Salmon, or these low carb Parmesan Chicken Tenders, or you can toss in some Baked Tofu for a vegetarian salad.