Every great meal deserves a refreshing side, and nothing beats a classic Italian salad recipe with crisp romaine lettuce, juicy grape tomatoes, and tangy pepperoncini. A good salad is never just an afterthought—it’s a key player on the dinner table. Enter this big Italian salad, full of vibrant greens, briny olives, crunchy homemade croutons, and the perfect balance of balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and extra virgin olive oil in a homemade dressing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Make It Your Own – Easy swaps and add-ins let you customize with fresh herbs, Persian cucumbers, or even provolone cheese.
Crunchy, Fresh & Flavorful – The perfect balance of crisp lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tangy pepperoncini peppers.
Super Simple – Ten minutes and a handful of fresh ingredients are all you need.
Pairs with Everything – From pasta salad to grilled chicken, this salad is the ultimate sidekick.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large Salad Bowl – Essential for tossing everything together.
- Sharp Knife & Cutting Board – Perfect for slicing crisp romaine lettuce, red onion, and grape tomatoes.
- Mason Jar or Small Bowl – Great for whisking up the perfect Balsamic vinaigrette.
- Salad Tongs or Wooden Spoons – Ensures gentle mixing without bruising the fresh greens.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Romaine Lettuce & Iceberg Lettuce – Crisp texture with fewer seeds and maximum crunch.
- Cherry Tomatoes or Grape Tomatoes – Juicy, sweet, and perfect for every bite.
- Red Onion – Adds a sharp, slightly sweet bite when sliced thin.
- Fresh Basil & Fresh Parsley – Fragrant herbs that tie all the flavors together.
- Black Olives or Kalamata Olives – Briny, savory, and oh-so-addictive.
- Pepperoncini Peppers – A little tang and heat for that signature zing.
- Provolone Cheese or Parmesan Cheese – Adds that classic Italian flavor.
- Homemade Croutons – Crunchy and full of flavor.
- Homemade Dressing – A simple mix of balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic, and salt.
How to Make This Simple Italian Side Salad
Prepare the Greens
- Wash and dry the romaine hearts and iceberg lettuce thoroughly.
- Place them in a large serving bowl.
Assemble the Salad
- Add cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, black olives, and pepperoncini peppers to the greens.
- Toss everything gently to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Chill for Maximum Flavor
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Dress & Serve
Just before serving, drizzle with homemade Balsamic dressing and toss lightly.
Top with Parmesan cheese and homemade croutons for the perfect crunch.
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Chef Secrets & Tips
Elevating the Flavors
- Make Your Own Croutons – Cube day-old bread, toss with olive oil, Italian seasoning, and sea salt, then bake until golden.
- Let the Salad Rest – A few minutes in the fridge allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Use High-Quality Ingredients – The best extra virgin olive oil and fresh produce make all the difference.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them
- Overdressing – Always start with less dressing; you can add more, but you can’t take it away!
- Mushy Croutons – Add croutons just before serving to keep them crisp.
- Too Much Salt? – The olives, Parmesan, and dressing already add salt—taste before seasoning further.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this salad with:
- Pasta Night – Perfect alongside spaghetti, lasagna, or baked ziti.
- Grilled Meats – Complements chicken, steak, or even seafood beautifully.
- Soup & Salad Combo – Serve with a warm bowl of Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup or Lasagna Soup.
Commonly Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! Just keep the dressing separate and toss before serving.
What’s the best lettuce to use?
A mix of romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and fresh greens offers great balance.
Can I swap out the olives?
Of course! Whole olives, green olives, or Kalamata olives work just as well.
Storage & Reheating Tips
- Storage: Keep undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
This simple Italian side salad is fresh, flavorful, and just the thing to round out any meal. Whether you're serving it with a big bowl of pasta salad or bringing it to a backyard cookout, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. So grab a fork and dig in—just don’t be surprised if you find yourself making it again tomorrow!
More Satisfying Salad Recipes
If you love a fresh, flavorful salad, there are plenty of other satisfying options to explore. Whether you're looking for something light and crisp or bold and indulgent, these salads offer a variety of textures, flavors, and vibrant ingredients to elevate any meal.
Fresh Garden Salad – A simple yet delicious combination of crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion, drizzle it with a creamy Homemade Ranch Dressing for a refreshing bite.
Spring Greens with Pears Sugared Walnuts and Gorgonzola – A perfect balance of sweet and savory, this salad features tender spring greens, ripe pears, crunchy sugared walnuts, and tangy Gorgonzola cheese, all drizzled with a delicate dressing.
Homemade Caesar Salad – A timeless classic with crisp romaine, crunchy croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan, all coated in a rich, creamy homemade Caesar dressing.
Tomato Salad with Aged Balsamic Dressing – Juicy, ripe tomatoes shine in this simple yet elegant salad, enhanced with fresh basil and a drizzle of aged balsamic dressing.
Green Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Candied Almonds – A bright and citrusy delight, combining crisp mixed greens, juicy mandarin oranges, and sweet candied almonds, finished with a light citrus vinaigrette.
Classic Wedge Salad with Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing – A steakhouse favorite, featuring a crisp iceberg wedge, smoky bacon crumbles, cherry tomatoes, and a rich, creamy homemade blue cheese dressing.
Before You Get Started! If you whip up this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review and rating to let me know how it turned out. Your feedback helps keep the kitchen running and allows me to keep sharing free recipes with y’all!
Italian Side Salad
Equipment
- Salad Spinner optional for drying greens
Ingredients
- 8 cups spring mix lettuce blend roughly chopped
- 2 cups arugula roughly chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced & rinsed
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chiffonade
- ½ cup black olives pitted
- 6 pepperoncini peppers
- ½ cup Homemade Balsamic dressing or store-bought
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese shredded or to taste
- 1 cup Homemade Croutons
Instructions
Prepare the Greens
- Rinse and pat dry the spring mix lettuce and arugula to remove any excess moisture.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large serving bowl, combine the spring mix, arugula, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, black olives, and pepperoncini peppers.
- Gently toss everything together to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Chill for Best Flavor
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. This allows the flavors to meld together and keeps the salad crisp.
Dress and Serve
- Right before serving, drizzle the desired amount of Homemade Balsamic Dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Top with shredded Parmesan cheese and Homemade Croutons.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Lettuce Blend: Substitute romaine or iceberg for a crunchier texture.
- Arugula: Use spinach or baby kale for a milder flavor.
- Parmesan Cheese: Try Pecorino Romano or feta for a different taste.
- Black Olives: Green olives or Kalamata olives can be used instead.
- Croutons: Swap for toasted nuts or seeds for a gluten-free option.
- Chop all ingredients in advance and store them separately in the fridge. Toss everything together with dressing right before serving to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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