Insalata Mista (Italian Mixed Salad)
Insalata Mista is a classic, refreshing Italian salad that’s simple, vibrant, and full of flavor. It’s the perfect combination of crisp greens, seasonal veggies, and a light, tangy dressing that complements any meal. Whether served as a side dish to pasta, grilled meats, or pizza, this salad is a staple in Italian cuisine!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Quick & Easy: Made with fresh ingredients and comes together in minutes.
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Light & Refreshing: Perfect for balancing heavier dishes.
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Customizable: You can adjust the vegetables based on what’s in season or what you prefer.
Ingredients
(Tip: Full ingredient list and measurements are in the recipe card below.)
For the Salad:
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4 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., arugula, romaine, or a spring mix)
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1 cucumber, sliced
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1 tomato, chopped
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1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
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1/2 bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
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1/2 cup shredded carrots (optional)
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1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
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1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
For the Dressing:
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3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar for a sweeter taste)
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1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1/2 teaspoon dried oregano or fresh herbs (optional)
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1/2 teaspoon honey (optional, for a touch of sweetness)
Directions
1. Prepare the Vegetables:
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Wash and dry your salad greens thoroughly. Tear the larger leaves into bite-sized pieces.
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Slice the cucumber, chop the tomato, and thinly slice the red onion and bell pepper. If using, shred the carrots and slice the olives.
2. Make the Dressing:
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In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard (if using), salt, pepper, and oregano. Whisk together until well combined. If you prefer a touch of sweetness, add the honey and mix again.
3. Assemble the Salad:
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In a large salad bowl, toss the salad greens, cucumber, tomato, red onion, bell pepper, carrots, olives, and fresh basil (if using).
4. Dress the Salad:
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Just before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
5. Serve:
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Serve immediately with a side of crusty bread, or as a side to your favorite Italian dish!
Servings and Timing
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Serves: 4-6
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Prep time: 10 minutes
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Total time: 10 minutes
Variations
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Cheese: Add some crumbled feta, mozzarella balls, or shaved Parmesan for extra flavor.
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Nuts: Top with toasted pine nuts or walnuts for added crunch.
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Protein: For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken, tuna, or hard-boiled eggs.
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Other Veggies: Add radishes, artichoke hearts, or avocado to change up the flavor profile.
Storage and Reheating
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Storage: The salad is best served immediately. If you need to store leftovers, keep the dressing separate from the salad ingredients. You can store the salad (without dressing) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day.
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Reheating: This salad is meant to be served fresh and should not be reheated.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of vinegar?
Yes! You can use balsamic vinegar for a sweeter taste or white wine vinegar for a more delicate flavor.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the vegetables and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. Just add the dressing right before serving to avoid wilting the greens.
What else can I add to the dressing?
You can add a pinch of garlic powder, a squeeze of lemon juice, or even a little Parmesan cheese to the dressing for extra flavor.
Can I add protein to make it a main dish?
Definitely! You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, tuna, or even chickpeas for a protein-packed version.
Conclusion
Insalata Mista is a fresh, light, and delicious salad that brings the taste of Italy right to your table. Its simplicity and balance of flavors make it the perfect accompaniment to any Italian meal or a satisfying standalone dish. With the flexibility to add your favorite ingredients, this salad can be easily customized to suit your taste!
Insalata Mista
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Insalata Mista is a classic Italian mixed salad made with fresh greens, crisp vegetables, and a light vinaigrette. Quick to prepare, refreshing, and customizable, it’s the perfect side dish for pasta, pizza, or grilled meats.
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, romaine, or spring mix)
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots (optional)
- 1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar (or balsamic for sweeter taste)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano or fresh herbs (optional)
- 1/2 tsp honey (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables: Wash and dry salad greens. Tear large leaves into bite-size pieces. Slice cucumber, chop tomato, and thinly slice onion and bell pepper. Shred carrots and slice olives if using.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon (if using), salt, pepper, and oregano. Add honey for sweetness if desired.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine greens, cucumber, tomato, onion, bell pepper, carrots, olives, and basil (if using).
- Dress and serve: Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat evenly. Serve immediately.
Notes
Add cheese like crumbled feta, mozzarella balls, or shaved Parmesan.Top with toasted nuts (pine nuts, walnuts) for crunch.Make it a main dish by adding grilled chicken, tuna, shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs.Other veggies like radishes, avocado, or artichoke hearts work great too.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 recipe)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
