Description
Craving a zesty Italian grinder chopped salad packed with bold Mediterranean flavors? Crisp vegetables, savory meats, and tangy dressing combine to create a refreshing meal that satisfies hunger and delights senses in one delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 2 ounces (56 grams) salami, chopped
- 2 ounces (56 grams) turkey pepperoni slices, chopped
- 4 ounces (113 grams) deli sliced turkey, chopped
Vegetables and Cheese:
- 4 cups iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup black olives, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese
Seasonings and Dressing:
- 1/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Finely chop iceberg lettuce into small, uniform pieces to ensure a balanced and manageable texture in every bite. This precision allows each forkful to capture multiple flavors simultaneously.
- Dice meats including salami, turkey pepperoni, and deli turkey into consistent, small cubes. Maintain similar sizing for black olives, red onion, and cherry tomatoes to create a harmonious ingredient distribution.
- Transfer all chopped ingredients into a spacious mixing bowl. Introduce shredded cheese and gently combine ingredients, ensuring an even mixture where each component is visible and accessible.
- Drizzle Italian dressing over the salad, initially using half the amount. Toss ingredients delicately to coat each piece without oversaturating the mixture.
- Season the salad with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Gently mix to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the salad.
- Taste the salad and adjust dressing quantity if needed. Additional dressing can enhance flavor complexity and moisture level. Serve immediately to maintain crisp vegetable texture and vibrant taste profile.
Notes
- Customize ingredient sizes for easier eating by chopping everything uniformly, creating a balanced texture in each bite.
- Adjust protein quantities to make the salad more vegetarian-friendly by substituting meats with plant-based alternatives like tofu or tempeh.
- Control dressing amount carefully to prevent soggy salad, adding incrementally and tossing gently to ensure perfect coating without overwhelming ingredients.
- Elevate nutritional value by incorporating additional fresh vegetables like bell peppers or cucumber for extra crunch and micronutrients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg