Best Chopped Salad Recipe

This is the best chopped salad recipe you’ll find. It makes a large batch to enjoy for lunch throughout the week or serve at your next gathering.

Original recipe: April 2012 | Updated: January 2019

Why This Recipe Works

One of my mom’s food specialties is making delicious salads. I remember craving her salad creations as a kid, which I now realize is a little strange since my boys won’t go within ten feet of one. Salads are like cookies! HA!

Ok, they’re not at all like cookies, but both salads and cookies lend for a ton of creativity. Lettuce is the blank, inviting canvas, begging for color and texture. And veggies! And whatever else you desire. This Chopped Salad recipe answers all those cravings with one bowl full of perfect bite size ingredients.

I’ve tested a lot of chopped salads in my life. I almost always order the chopped salad at restaurants because I’m always curious what ingredients I’ll find hidden inside. I like to bring chopped salad to almost every holiday meal where it always get rave reviews so you can be assured it’ll be enjoyed by you and your guests too.

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You can make a delightful, filling chopped salad created with all your favorite crunchy veggies!

How To Make This Chopped Salad

Make The Salad

In a large bowl, combine the greens, pecans, cherries, tomatoes, avocados, red onion and feta cheese. Toss to combine.

Make The Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the raspberry jam, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate both bowls until ready to serve.

Assemble The Salad

Just before serving, pour the dressing into the salad bowl and toss until coated. Serve immediately!

Recipe Notes

• This salad makes a very large batch, so it is a great option for medium to large gatherings. You may want to cut ingredient amounts in half for a smaller family meal or for a few days’ worth of lunches.

• If you plan to enjoy the salad over the course of a few days, keep the dressing and salad in separate bowls in the fridge and add as needed, just before serving/gobbling.

• You might be tempted to skip out on the Candied Pecans, but don’t! Please! They are super easy to make and they transform this salad into something something magical.

• Replace the dried cherries with dried cranberries, if you’d like! I’ve used both and both are great.

What Is A Chopped Salad

A chopped salad has bite-size pieces of fresh crunchy vegetables including vegetables, cheese and nuts. You’ll usually have a vinaigrette or Italian dressing mixed in.

What Ingredients Go In A Chopped Salad

The beautiful thing about a chopped salad is that you can choose which ingredients go into it! Romaine or iceberg lettuce (or a spring mix) are great options for chopped salads and you can use whichever vegetables, meat and/or nuts you desire.

Candied Pecans are a great addition to any chopped salad!

Which Dressings Taste Best On A Chopped Salad

There are SO many dressings that go well in chopped salads. You can’t go wrong with a ranch dressing like this Avocado Ranch Dressing or a delicious vinaigrette like this Balsamic Vinaigrette or this Orange Herb Vinaigrette.

Italian dressing also pairs well with chopped salads, but my all-time favorite is the Raspberry Vinaigrette in this recipe. See the recipe card below for full instructions. It is beyond easy to make and it is out-of-this-world delicious.

Other Delicious Salad Recipes

• Edamame Tomato Corn Salad is my favorite salad recipe of ALL TIME. This delicious salad is a crowd-pleaser, enjoyed any time of the year. Bring this to a party and it will be devoured immediately!
• Loaded Veggie Salad is EASY to make and it is packed with healthy ingredients, such as chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes and avocados. It is a delicious lunch, wrap filling, party side or even a topping for chicken!
• Quinoa Edamame Salad is great for parties and can be served in throw-away cups for serving ease. Also great as a salad to have in the fridge. It is packed with fresh fruit and veggies.
• Crunchy Bok Choy Salad – This crunchy, veggie-packed salad is a great dish to bring to parties. Prepare this one just before serving. It will quickly become a salad favorite!

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