This classic Italian salad is your soul mate side dish! It features crisp veggies, crunchy croutons, tangy pepperoncini, and a punchy homemade dressing.
Here’s a great salad that’s simply perfection, in our books. Meet this Italian salad! It’s full of all the right flavors and textures: crisp lettuce, crunchy garlic croutons, and zingy pepperoncini. It’s covered in punchy, herby Italian vinaigrette that makes the flavors sing! And shaved Parmesan seals the deal. It can play sidekick to just about anything. It’s no secret: this recipe is staunchly Italian-American, not a classic Italian recipe. But that’s what we love about this easy salad!
What you need for the best Italian salad
Perhaps you’ve had a salad like this at an Italian American restaurant (the nostalgia factor is one thing Alex and I love about it). Somehow all the components come together into perfect harmony. Here’s what you need to make the best Italian salad…or really, the best salad:
- Crisp greens: Use contrasting greens for variety: we like crunchy romaine and bright green butter lettuce.
- Tomato & red onion: The veggies bring color and crunch.
- Olives & pepperoncini: This is what brings that classic “Italian salad” vibe: tangy, briny, and zingy flavors. Do not omit!
- Parmesan shavings (optional): Thick slices of Parmesan make a savory counterpoint; they’re easy to omit for a vegan salad.
- Italian dressing: The dressing brings a punch that only homemade dressing can.
- Garlic croutons: Crunchy, garlicky and totally worth the time to make!
This Italian salad recipe is…
Vegetarian. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, omit the Parmesan cheese. For gluten-free, omit the croutons.
Ingredients
- 1/2 recipe Homemade Croutons (or use purchased or omit for gluten-free)
- 1 recipe Homemade Italian Dressing
- 1 Romaine heart (3 cups)
- 5 cups butter lettuce
- 1 handful sliced red onion
- ½ cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup sliced black olives (or halved olives)
- ½ cup jarred sliced pepperoncini
- ¼ cup large Parmesan shavings (omit for vegan)
Instructions
- Make the homemade croutons (or make them in advance).
- Make the Italian dressing.
- Chop romaine and lettuce. Thinly slice the red onion. Slice the tomatoes in half.
- Place the greens in bowls, then top with the vegetables, olives, pepperoncini, Parmesan shavings, and croutons, then drizzle with dressing. Or, you can place them all together in a large serving bowl and toss with the dressing. (If making in advance, refrigerate the components separately and keep the croutons at room temperature. Bring the dressing to room temperature before serving.)