I don’t know if it’s the uniform size of ingredients or the clever flavor combos, but chopped salads never disappoint. Somehow, if the word “chopped” is in the name, you know it’s gonna be good no matter what’s in it. Plus, they seem to feel more like a full […]
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I don’t know if it’s the uniform size of ingredients or the clever flavor combos, but chopped salads never disappoint. Somehow, if the word “chopped” is in the name, you know it’s gonna be good no matter what’s in it. Plus, they seem to feel more like a full meal than your go-to green salad. I always gravitate toward a chopped salad on a restaurant menu, but weirdly would never make my own. The idea of finely chopping multiple ingredients set off some red flags in my lazy-girl cooking mind, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how easy a good chopped salad is to make. While the best chopped salad recipes require some quality time with your knife, they are beautifully simple because you can throw in anything you have on hand.
Dicing veggies, throwing in some cheese, and finishing things off with a little vinaigrette always makes for a delicious combo. To add fuel to the fire, I’ve pulled the best chopped salad recipes on the internet to give both you and I some chopping inspo. Whether you follow one of these recipes to a T or take the idea and ‘chop’ with it, you won’t be disappointed.
The 14 Best Chopped Salad Recipes That Are Worth the Effort
Malibu Farm Rainbow Vegan Chop Salad
Why we love it: If you’ve never been to Malibu Farm, add it to your bucket list. It’s always been my go-to for a healthy, delicious meal (not to mention amazing views) whenever I’m in California. But back in Texas, this is the recipe I turn to for a little help curing my cravings. It’s almost too pretty to eat, but too delicious not to!
Hero ingredient: Butternut squash or bust.
Get the recipe for Malibu Farm Rainbow Vegan Chop Salad.
Buffalo Cauliflower Chopped Salad
Why we love it: Buffalo cauliflower is one of my favorite creative snack inventions and adding it into a salad is a game changer. The buffalo sauce has the ideal amount of heat: spicy enough to give it a kick without making you reach for water. The dressing also has the cooling effects of ranch while still being dairy-free. Altogether, it’s a delicious way to pack in lots of veggies and flavor to your lunchtime salad.
Hero ingredient: Bookmark this buffalo cauliflower for frequent future use.
Get the recipe for Buffalo Cauliflower Chopped Salad.
Chopped Italian Salad from The Defined Dish
Why we love it: As far as the best chopped salad recipes go, there’s no harm in sticking with a classic. Case in point, this recipe for the Italian chopped salad you know and love. It’s full of prosciutto, salami, ham, provolone, olives, and my personal favorite ingredient, pepperoncinis. The dressing is super simple, but blows any bottled Italian dressing out of the water. If you’re looking for a great lunchtime salad or a side dish on pasta night, look no further than this recipe.
Hero ingredient: The pepperoncinis should definitely not be optional.
Get the recipe for Chopped Italian Salad.
Watermelon Tomato Caprese Salad
Why we love it: The only way to describe this chopped salad is ‘summer in a bowl.’ Truly, it isn’t summer until you’ve cut open a watermelon, and this should be the first recipe you make with it. It’s refreshing, sweet, cold, crunchy, and easy on the eyes. The chopped fresh mozzarella and basil make this dish highly addictive. Proactively doubling the recipe would be a good call.
Hero ingredient: Gotta love that watermelon sugar high.
Get the recipe for Watermelon Tomato Caprese Salad.
Greek Chicken Chopped Salad With Lemon Tahini Vinaigrette from Half-Baked Harvest
Why we love it: This recipe is accurately described as “loaded” because it has just about everything you could possibly want in a Greek salad. The simple Greek chicken is tossed with all your favorite Greek salad ingredients, but the magic comes from the creamy lemon tahini dressing. It’s easy to throw together any night of the week but is far from boring.
Hero ingredient: The Greek Lemon Chicken marinade deserves a permanent place in your recipe repertoire.
Get the recipe for Greek Chicken Chopped Salad With Lemon Tahini Vinaigrette.
Mango Jicama Chopped Salad
Why we love it: This Mango Jicama Chopped Salad was born at a Memorial Day party a few years ago and is still the perfect addition to any summer meal. The combination of jicama and cucumbers adds cooling flavors and the perfect crunch, while the avocado gives it the ideal crunchy-to-creamy ratio. To top it all off, the McCormick Perfect Pinch Mexican Seasoning adds a great spicy flavor.
Hero ingredient: Holy jicama.
Get the recipe for Mango Jicama Chopped Salad.
Kale Italian Chopped Salad
Why we love it: This recipe adds a unique flare to a classic Italian Chopped Salad by using kale to add extra nutrients and heartiness. The simple dressing recipe is one that I now have memorized, because it’s good on pretty much any salad combo you can think of. The veggies and other ingredients are kitchen staples, which is always an added bonus for a recipe. However, it’s the homemade sourdough croutons that truly steal the show. Trust me.
Hero ingredient: These sourdough croutons changed my life.
Get the recipe for Kale Italian Chopped Salad.
Chopped Thai Salad from What’s Gaby Cooking
Why we love it: This colorful Thai Chopped Salad is full of veggies and served with a light vinaigrette, making it the perfect reset meal after an indulgent weekend. We should all know the benefits of eating the rainbow by now, and the best chopped salad recipes, especially this one, tend to check that box. Pro tip: You can add salmon or chicken for added protein.
Hero ingredient: The edamame adds a perfect and paradoxical creamy crunch.
Get the recipe for Chopped Thai Salad.
Steakhouse Chopped Salad from The Defined Dish
Why we love it: Why is it that steakhouses always have the best chopped salad recipes? I sometimes look forward to the salad course more than the steak itself. Criminal, I know, but this recipe is the perfect addition to any at-home steak night. You’ll spend some time chopping, but it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Hero ingredient: Gorgonzola cheese, please.
Get the recipe for Steakhouse Chopped Salad.
Raw Broccoli Chopped Salad
Why we love it: This easy-breezy springy chopped salad is a must-try. The broccoli base is a refreshing deviation from your typical leafy green salads and the sriracha dill yogurt dressing is to die for. Plus, it has my favorite salad component: fruit! Thank us later for your new favorite springtime salad.
Hero ingredient: Apples are my favorite form of crunch in a salad.
Get the recipe for Raw Broccoli Chopped Salad.
Roasted Corn, Chickpea, and Avocado Salad With Poblano Vinaigrette
Why we love it: This has all of the requirements that the best chopped salad recipes need: big flavors, seasonal ingredients, and a good combination of textures. Its light and bright flavors come from bursting cherry tomatoes, charred corn, and poblano peppers, while the chickpeas add heartiness. Mixed together and drizzled with one of my favorite dressings, this salad makes eating veggies fun.
Hero ingredient: This chick loves chickpeas.
Get the recipe for Roasted Corn, Chickpea, and Avocado Salad With Poblano Vinaigrette.
Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad from Ambitious Kitchen
Why we love it: This Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Salad is one of the few salads I actually crave. It feels like an indulgent meal full of all my favorite flavors, but it’s secretly packed with veggies and the ranch dressing is Greek yogurt-based. Plus, the rainbow of veggies makes this recipe as healthy as it is beautiful. I’m addicted to the Rico Salad at Mi Cocina in Dallas/Fort Worth (if you know, you know), and this curbs my cravings when I’m in Austin. If you’ve been on the hunt for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing salad to serve as an entrée, I highly recommend this.
Hero ingredient: The spicy “ranch” dressing is on my short list of favorite dressings.
Get the recipe for Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad.
Chopped Salad With Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Kalamata Olives, Black Pepper Croutons and Emulsified Cucumber Dressing
Why we love it: This chopped salad was introduced to us by Courtney Caplan and Sarah Miller and it’s been a go-to ever since. The cucumber dill dressing gives it a fresh flavor while the olives lend the perfect hint of saltiness. Let’s not forget the homemade black pepper croutons… once you go homemade, you won’t be able to go back.
Hero ingredient: Artichokes, always.
Get the recipe for Chopped Salad With Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Kalamata Olives, Black Pepper Croutons and Emulsified Cucumber Dressing.
Chopped Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad with ‘Peanut Dressing’ from The Defined Dish
Why we love it: Who doesn’t love an Asian-inspired salad? I’m a forever fan of this recipe because of its unbeatable zest and pretty presentation. The cabbage, carrots, and almonds make every bite crunchy, which all of the best chopped salad recipes should do. Plus, the creamy peanut dressing is a major weakness of mine. Guaranteed it’ll do the same for you, too.
Hero ingredient: Dad joke warning: Orange you glad this recipe uses mandarin oranges?
Get the recipe for Chopped Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad with ‘Peanut Dressing’.
What are your best chopped salad recipes? Let us know in the comments below!
