Recipe for Italian Salad – This salad is hearty, delicious, and filled with so much flavor that it can really stand in as a complete meal all by itself! Bursting with Italian herbs and fresh veggies, this Recipe for Italian Salad is one you most definitely don’t want to miss.
One of the best things about making a salad is that you can really switch up the ingredients and measurements to make it your own! You don’t need to be exact in measuring. A little bit of this and a little dab of that works absolutely fine. Ready to learn how to make this salad for yourself? Keep reading!
Recipe for Italian Salad
Like I mentioned above, this Recipe for Italian Salad is hearty and filling. Because of this, it can easily make up an entire meal on its own. However, it also serves perfectly as a side dish or appetizer, and pairs perfectly with an additional clean, Italian dish. Of course you are welcome to pair this salad with whatever other recipes you choose, but sticking to a clean, Italian cuisine is the perfect way to finish off this meal!
Here are some of our favorite Italian recipes to pair with your salad…
Ideas for a Main Course
Puttanesca Recipe with Zucchini Pasta: A delicious Puttanesca recipe, this tomato sauce is full-bodied and incredibly flavorful. It’s delicious over zucchini pasta and perfect for a simple Meatless Monday dinner.
Gluten + Dairy-Free Lasagna: This Lasagna is dairy, gluten, and meat-free! Filled with plant-based nutrition, and so much flavor, this recipe is one you’ll want to make time-and-time again!
Gluten Free Pizza: Gluten free pizza recipe from beans, cooked whole grain brown rice and flaxseeds…which happens to be a super healthy clean eating recipe that really and truly does taste good.
Vinaigrette Recipe
Of course, no salad is complete without a delicious and creamy dressing to drizzle on top! While most dressings are loaded with dairy, unhealthy fats, and refined-sugar, this Vinaigrette Recipe keeps it simple with only the cleanest ingredients.
Click here to read more about the dangers of many conventional salad dressings.
While salads offer lots of room for creativity, you do need to be a bit more precise when making the vinaigrette. This is because of the oil-vinegar ratio. However, you can also feel free to add a few extra complementary Italian herbs if you happen to have them on hand.
When you read the vinaigrette recipe you’ll see I’m clearly not a pure-blooded Italian as I’ve added omega-3 rich flax oil to the lemon garlic herb vinaigrette. But, I assure you the flax oil works just fine as the herbs and vinegar take the lead. The quality of the flax oil makes a HUGE difference, so go for the best. My all-time favorite brand is Barlean’s.
Click here to read more about the benefits of flaxseed oil!
P.S. For the absolute most flavorful salad let the vegetables sit at room temperature for at least 30-minutes, then add the vinaigrette and continue to let salad sit for 5 or 10 more minutes. Add the crispy whole grain croutons just before serving.
Ready for the full recipe? Let’s get into the details!
PrintRecipe for Italian Salad
Bursting with Italian herbs and fresh veggies, this Recipe for Italian Salad is one you most definitely don’t want to miss.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Recipe for Italian Salad
- 3 cups organic baby spinach
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
- 8 ounces button mushrooms, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
- 4 hardboiled pastured eggs
- 1 cup kalamata olives, slied
- Himalayan pink salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Whole Grain Croutons
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free whole grain bread cubes, crust removed
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Himalayan pink salt, to taste
Vinaigrette Recipe
- 1/4 cup flax oil
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
- Himalayan pink salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Recipe for Italian Salad
- Wash and chop all vegetables, herbs, and eggs.
- Combine together in a large salad bowl, and top with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Whole Grain Croutons
- Preheat oven to 400ºF, and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the gluten free bread into squares, and toss in oil.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and place on baking sheet.
- Toast for around 10 minutes, or until beginning to turn golden.
- Remove from oven, and let cool.
- Combine in salad bowl.
Recipe for Vinaigrette
- Combine all ingredients in a blender, and process until smooth and creamy.
- Drizzle on top of salad.
Keywords: Recipe for Italian Salad
Nickii says
Great recipes
Madison Suttles says
Thank you so much,
Nickii!
Madison