This Simple Italian Salad Recipe combines fresh spring mix, crisp veggies, and a zesty Italian vinaigrette for the perfect light meal or side dish. Ready in minutes, this flavorful salad is ideal for busy weeknights, family dinners, or entertaining guests.
Prefer a heartier bite? Try our family-favorite Zesty Italian Pasta Salad or this Burrata Panzanella Platter. They're perfect for entertaining!
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A simple Italian salad recipe is a refreshing mix of leafy greens and colorful vegetables paired with a tangy vinaigrette. Often served as a side dish or appetizer, this classic salad captures the essence of Italian flavors, featuring ingredients like olives, Parmesan, and bell peppers.
If you like this salad recipe, you may also love our Italian Salad with Artichokes or our Italian Chopped Salad.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with fresh vegetables and a light dressing.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Great for Entertaining: A crowd-pleasing side dish for any meal.
Simple Italian Salad Ingredients
- Spring Mix: A base of tender, crisp greens.
- Grape Tomatoes: Bursting with sweetness and color.
- English Cucumber: Adds refreshing crunch.
- Green Olives: For a tangy, briny kick.
- Radishes and Bell Peppers: Vibrant and peppery notes.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced for mild sharpness.
- Carrot: Adds sweetness and texture.
- Croutons: For a satisfying crunch.
- Parmesan Cheese: Optional, for a savory touch.
- Seasoning: Salt, pepper, and dried oregano to add flavor.
- Italian Vinaigrette: Ties everything together with a zesty dressing.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Spring Mix: Replace with romaine lettuce or baby spinach.
- Green Olives: Try black olives or leave them out for a milder flavor.
- Italian Vinaigrette: Use balsamic vinaigrette or a homemade lemon dressing.
How to Make a Simple Italian Salad with Spring Mix
STEP 1: Prepare the Vegetables
Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly. Slice the tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers, carrot, and onion.
In a large salad bowl, layer the spring mix at the bottom.
STEP 2: Season and Dress
Arrange the prepared vegetables neatly on top. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle Italian vinaigrette evenly over the salad.
Gently toss the salad to coat all ingredients. Add croutons and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Mellow the onion's flavor by soaking the slices in cold water for 10 minutes.
✔️ DO Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste.
Storage
Store Italian Salad leftovers in an airtight container without dressing for up to 2 days. Add dressing just before serving.
Recipe FAQs
Italian salads often feature a mix of fresh greens, tangy olives, and a zesty vinaigrette. They highlight traditional Italian flavors and simple, wholesome ingredients.
Absolutely! You can swap the spring mix for romaine lettuce, add protein like grilled chicken, artichokes, or experiment with different dressings to suit your taste.
Store the vegetables separately and add the dressing just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy. Keep ingredients like croutons in a sealed container to maintain crunch.
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📖 Recipe
Simple Italian Salad Recipe
Equipment
- Large Salad bowl
- Cutting board
- Sharp Knife
Ingredients
- 5 ounces Spring mix
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- ½ English cucumber sliced
- ⅓ cup green or black olives halved (adjust to taste)
- 1 radish thinly sliced
- ½ bell pepper (red, orange, or yellow) thinly sliced
- ¼ small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 medium carrot peeled and sliced
- 3 tablespoon shredded parmesan cheese optional
- ½ cup croutons optional
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Dressing
- ⅓ cup Italian vinaigrette adjust to your preferred level of dressing
Instructions
- Wash and dry the spring mix, grape tomatoes, cucumber, olives, radishes, bell pepper, red onion, and carrot. Slice or as directed.
- In a large salad bowl, layer the spring mix at the bottom. Arrange the grape tomatoes, cucumber, olives, radishes, bell pepper, red onion, and carrot on top.
- Sprinkle the salad with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Drizzle the Italian vinaigrette evenly over the ingredients.
- Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are well coated. Top with croutons and sprinkle with shredded parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Serve immediately.
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Notes
- Spring Mix: Replace with romaine lettuce or baby spinach.
- Green Olives: Try black olives or leave them out for a milder flavor.
- Italian Vinaigrette: Use balsamic vinaigrette or a homemade lemon dressing.
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