When it comes to meals that are fresh, colorful, and incredibly versatile, chopped salads are always a winning choice. Packed with crisp vegetables, flavorful dressings, and creative toppings, these salads are hearty enough to stand alone yet light enough to pair with just about anything. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch, a healthy dinner, or a dish to share at gatherings, our collection of the 10 best chopped salad recipes will bring variety, flavor, and nutrition to your table.
First on the list is the classic chopped salad, loaded with lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onions, tossed in a simple vinaigrette. This timeless recipe is a go-to for busy weekdays and never goes out of style.
For those who love bold flavors, the Italian chopped salad is a must-try. Featuring salami, mozzarella, olives, and pepperoncini, this zesty mix is drizzled with Italian dressing for a dish that feels like a trip to a neighborhood trattoria.
Next is the Mediterranean chopped salad, brimming with cucumbers, chickpeas, feta, olives, and a tangy lemon-oregano dressing. Refreshing and nutrient-packed, it’s the perfect light meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
If you’re looking for a protein boost, the chicken chopped salad delivers. With juicy grilled chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a creamy dressing, it’s satisfying enough to serve as a complete dinner.
Another favorite is the Southwest chopped salad, loaded with black beans, corn, avocado, and tortilla strips. Finished with a chipotle ranch or cilantro-lime dressing, it’s a vibrant and hearty salad full of Tex-Mex flair.
For seafood lovers, the shrimp chopped salad is a standout. Tossed with crisp veggies and a light citrus dressing, it’s refreshing, filling, and perfect for summer nights.
Vegetarians will appreciate the quinoa chopped salad, which combines wholesome grains, fresh vegetables, and a lemony dressing for a protein-packed, plant-based option that works beautifully as a main dish or side.
The Asian-inspired chopped salad brings crunch and flavor with napa cabbage, carrots, edamame, and sesame dressing, topped with crunchy wonton strips or toasted almonds. It’s light yet packed with delicious textures and savory-sweet balance.
A unique twist is the Greek chopped salad, featuring tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, and feta, all finely chopped and tossed in olive oil and red wine vinegar. It’s simple, bright, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Finally, the steak chopped salad is perfect for when you want something hearty. Tender slices of grilled steak paired with crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, blue cheese crumbles, and balsamic dressing make for a rich yet balanced meal.
These 10 chopped salad recipes prove that salads can be far from boring. They’re easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and perfect for meal prepping or entertaining. Whether you prefer bold and zesty, light and refreshing, or hearty and filling, there’s a chopped salad here to satisfy every craving. Add these to your weekly rotation and enjoy fresh, flavorful meals any time of year.
Chopped Salad with Chickpeas, Mozzarella & Olives
This simple chopped salad, inspired by the type of salad you might find at an Italian American restaurant, has lots of texture and flavor, thanks to creamy cheese, briny olives and crisp fresh cucumber. The radicchio adds the classic red color as well as a slight bitterness that’s balanced by the sweet sun-dried tomatoes.
Chopped Salad with Sriracha Tofu & Peanut Dressing
Prep four days’ worth of high-protein vegan lunches using just four easy ingredients from your local specialty grocery store, including a veggie-heavy salad mix as a base. Because this salad mix is hearty, you can dress these bowls up to 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors in this healthy chopped salad to marry. If you can’t find a hearty mix, go with broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts.
Copycat California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad
This salad is inspired by California Pizza Kitchen’s BBQ chicken salad, with crisp lettuce and jicama, sweet BBQ chicken and juicy corn kernels. You can cook the chicken thighs on a grill pan, or use an outdoor grill if the weather permits. Tortilla strips add a welcome crunch to the salad—find them in the salad dressing aisle at major supermarkets.
Superfood Chopped Salad with Salmon & Creamy Garlic Dressing
Curly kale forms the base of this salad, but you could use chard or spinach. To the greens, add a multitude of chopped veggies, such as broccoli, cabbage and carrots. Finish with rich salmon for protein and a drizzle of creamy yogurt dressing to bring it all together.