This really is the Best Chopped Salad recipe ever. It’s made with spring veggies and herbs then topped with the best herby red wine vinaigrette. It’s great as a side or ever as a meal. Perfect for feeding a crowd!
Please note that this recipe was updated from the original in April 2019.
I originally recreated this recipe from one that I had in Las Vegas at one of the casinos. It’s been years since we were there and so much has changed (married, sick, baby, etc) but I still think about this salad. I loved the idea of adding blanched asparagus to a salad and using fresh herbs and spring onions in the dressing to take advantage of the abundance of both in my garden during the springtime.
I don’t grow asparagus but the herbs and spring onions are some of the easiest things to grow. I’ve always got them in the garden in the spring so this is a very easy dressing to make and have on hand.
My toddler is currently on a veggie boycott. There’s no way I’m going to get him to eat this salad but he loves when I do photoshoots with my flash. In fact, he tried to get in the shot. My husband stopped him just as he was about to crawl up onto the counter. Now, back to salads . . .
What is a chopped salad?
A chopped salad is a salad where all the ingredients are already chopped into bite size pieces. I love chopped salads because it’s less work. I know it’s silly but I love it when the work is already done for you and all you need to do is dig in!
How to chop salad.
Everyone has his or her own method to chopping a salad. I like to shred the carrots and cucumbers. It’s just easier than using a knife to get them into small pieces.
If you're using a mandolin to shred the carrots and cucumbers then you could always shred the lettuce as well. However, be very careful. I once sliced the tip of my thumb right off.
I find that it's easier to just cut it with a knife. The lettuce needs to be sliced in half then placed flat side down on the cutting board. Carefully cover the lettuce with your hand and only show the part of the lettuce you will be cutting. This helps it from falling apart.
Start by carefully making horizontal cuts then go back and make vertical cuts so that the lettuce is in bite size square pieces. This gets easier with practice. The first few times that I tried this the lettuce totally fell apart. The good news is that it doesn’t affect the taste. The salad tastes good either way.
Best dressing for chopped salad.
The best dressing for chopped salad is vinaigrette. Thicker salad dressing doesn’t go on the salad evenly and just clump up. The oil and vinegar just coats the lettuce so you get a little bit of dressing in each bite. This is making me hungry just talking about it.
Best Chopped Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing
- 1 /2 cup Red Wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 Scallions
- 3 teaspoon Fresh Herbs I used Thyme, Rosemary and Oregano, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 bunch Cilantro as a garnish (optional)
For the salad
- 1 bunch Asparagus chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 head Iceberg Lettuce shredded
- 2 small Cucumbers shredded
- 3 Carrots peeled and shredded
- 2 Avocados chopped
Instructions
- Combine dressing ingredients in a mason jar. Give it a shake and set aside.
- Bring a saucepan of water to boil. Add a pinch of salt.
- Boil asparagus pieces for about 2 minutes, until just cooked.
- Remove from pan, rinse with cold water, dry and then set aside.
- Combine the asparagus, lettuce, carrots, cucumbers and carrots to a large bowl.
- Toss to combine.
- Toss with salad dressing.
- Sprinkle the avocado across the top.
- Serve.
Nutrition
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I am wanting to make this for Mother’s Day tomorrow. The dressing calls for 3 scallions- full scallions or just the white or green? It just says to shake it all together- no need for emulsion blender? Just want to make sure I do it right as the in-laws will be here!
The presentation is colorful, and this yummy salad will be great for a dinner party.
The presentation is colorful and this yummy salad will be great for a dinner party.