Italian Side Salad

Crisp, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this simple Italian side salad is the perfect balance of zesty, briny, and savory. Quick to make and endlessly versatile, it’s a must for any meal!

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Course: Salads

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: easy salad recipe, healthy salad, potluck salad, summer side dish

Prep Time: 10

Total Time: 10

Servings:

Calories: 68kcal

Author: Jennifer Locklin

Equipment

Chef Knife
Cutting Board
Large Salad Bowl
Salad Tongs
Mason Jar or small bowl
Salad Spinner optional for drying greens

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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

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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

Ingredient Swaps

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.

Make-Ahead Tips

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.