This blt summer chopped salad with homemade lime vinaigrette is simple to make and can be tailored to your taste preferences. This fresh salad is packed with healthy ingredients that will leave you feeling satisfied. Serve with our homemade bolognese, lechon asado or Cajun moked turkey pasta.
Table of Contents
What is a chopped salad?
A chopped salad is a fresh dish that consists of uniformly chopped vegetables and dressing. It’s an interesting and creative way to enjoy your favorite greens and veggies. Chopping the veggies in similar size pieces makes this salad so much fun to eat because you get a little bit of everything in each bite which is the best part!
Why we love this recipe
There are countless chopped salad recipes out there, but this classic version is one of our favorite salads. The ingredients are simple to find and can be tailored to your taste preferences and the tangy lime vinaigrette is absolutely delicious. This salad is a great option for a light lunch, as a side salad or even as a main dish. It’s quick and easy to make, and you can customize it with your favorite ingredients. Serve it with our Garlic Ciabatta Bread!
Ingredients needed for homemade dressing
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – You can also use non-gmo canola oil or a mix of both.
- Champagne Vinegar – We LOVE champagne vinegar. It has such a bright tangy flavor that adds so much dimension to sauces and dressings. You can also use apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar or rice wine vinegar.
- Fresh Lime Juice – Bottle lime juice is fine. Use lemon juice to make this a lemon vinaigrette!
- Whole Grain Mustard – Dijon mustard will work as well.
- Fresh Garlic Cloves
- Fresh Parsley – If you like cilantro (we don’t!) then use that instead.
- Honey – Go for local honey if possible
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
Ingredients needed for the chopped summer salad
This recipe is so versatile. You can use any fruits and vegetables you’d like. The key is making sure everything is evenly chopped and diced. Here is what we used:
Iceberg Lettuce – You can also use bibb lettuce, romaine hearts or mixed greens. We love the crisp, crunchy texture of iceberg lettuce. And yes, it actually does provide nutrition. We don’t know why it has such a bad rep:)
Beefsteak Tomato – Feel free to use any variety you’d like.
Bacon – We prefer thick-cut bacon that it slowly cooked on med-low heat in a cast iron skillet. Cooking slowly will provide the crispness we love without burning the bacon.
Red Onion
English Cucumber – Garden cucumbers are delicious in the recipe as well.
Hard Boiled Eggs
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
Other fixins’ to add to your chopped salad
Here are a few suggestions on how to make this delicious salad your own.
- Kalamata Olives
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Sun-dried Tomatoes
- Red Bell Peppers
- Artichoke Hearts
- Garbanzo Beans
- Gorgonzola Cheese
How to make the lime vinaigrette
Chop parsley and mince garlic. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, minced garlic, honey, chopped parsley, lime juice, mustard, salt and pepper.
Slowly pour olive oil into the mixture while whisking to emulsify. Refrigerate until ready to use. Store any leftovers in a mason jar or other air-tight container in the fridge.
How to make the chopped salad
Cook 4-5 strips of bacon and boil 2-3 eggs. Allow to chill before tossing the salad.
Chop all ingredients into equal size pieces. About 1/4″ 1/2″.
Place all chopped ingredients into a large bowl. Drizzle the lime vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss. Transfer to a large serving bowl. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Chopped salad recipe variations
There are endless variations you can do with chopped salads. You can mix and match any ingredients you like. Here are a few of our favorites:
Mediterranean chopped salad
This variation is perfect for lovers of fresh, hearty ingredients. Mix chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions with some crumbled feta cheese and chopped olives. Drizzle the salad with a tangy lemon vinaigrette for an extra burst of flavor.
Asian chopped salad
For a more exotic chopped salad, try this variation that incorporates bold flavors and textures. Mix chopped cabbage, carrots, edamame beans, sliced cashews, and chopped scallions with a drizzle of soy sauce or tamari.
Caesar chopped salad
For a classic take on the chopped salad concept, try this simple recipe that is packed with flavor. Mix chopped romaine lettuce with chopped bacon, shredded Parmesan cheese, and croutons, then drizzle the salad with a creamy Caesar dressing.
BBQ chopped salad
If you’re in the mood for something a little heartier, try this delicious BBQ chopped salad variation. Simply mix chopped red cabbage and grilled chicken with chopped bell peppers, corn kernels, chopped jalapeños, and a generous drizzle of your favorite BBQ sauce.
Other variations and substitutions
There are many different ways to customize your chopped salad depending on your preferences and what ingredients you have available. For example, you can swap out leafy greens like kale or spinach for other veggies like cabbage or Brussels sprouts, or you can try using different chopped vegetables like zucchini or celery instead of carrots. Additionally, chopped salads can be topped with a variety of ingredients like chopped avocado, dried fruit, sliced hardboiled eggs, or pomegranate seeds for additional flavor and texture.
This healthy salad is a great go-to recipe when you want something quick, healthy, and satisfying. It’s packed with flavor and texture, and can easily be altered to fit your taste. Give it a try the next time you’re looking for an easy weeknight meal or side dish. We’d love to hear how it turns out for you, so please let us know if you give it a shot!
Serve These Main Dishes With Your Chopped Salad
BLT Chopped Salad with Homemade Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
Posted by DeeIngredients
For Lime Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp champagne vinegar
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp whole grain mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp honey
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For Chopped Salad
- 1 head of iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 beefsteak tomato, diced
- ½ cup cooked bacon, chopped or crumbled
- ½ medium red onion, diced
- ½ cup English cucumber, chopped
- 2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Lime Vinaigrette Dressing
- In a bowl, whisk vinegar, garlic honey, parsley, lime juice, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Pour olive oil into the mixture while whisking. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Chopped Salad
- Place all chopped ingredients into a large bowl.
- Drizzle vinaigrette over salad ingredients and toss. Serve immediately.