This mediterranean chopped salad has loads of veggies, a flavor packed vinaigrette and vegan feta cheese. It’s perfect to serve to guests, for BBQs, picnics or a light lunch. Make it a full meal by topping with chopped chicken or other protein. Paleo and vegan.
Sometimes the simplest salads wind up being the most addicting. This one seriously is!
I love a good chopped salad from a restaurant and wanted to create something mediterranean inspired but paleo friendly.
What I came up with is today’s chopped salad! A mix of all the usuals you’d find in a Mediterranean salad but without the chickpeas.
Instead, I subbed in avocado (always a hit for me!) and traded regular feta cheese for a dairy free vegan version.
The dressing is vibrant and not short on flavor! It definitely beats out any store bought vinaigrettes.
Plus, if you have a mason jar you can easily mix up the dressing just by shaking! My “secret” to easy dressings is always a mason jar 🙂
What You Need to Make this Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Dressing:
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- red wine vinegar
- dijon mustard
- pure maple syrup, optional (omit for Whole30)
- garlic
- dried oregano
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salad:
- greens of your choice (romaine, mixed greens, etc)
- English cucumber
- red onion
- grape or cherry tomatoes
- avocado
- pitted Kalamata olives
- dairy free feta cheese (such as Violife)
- chopped fresh parsley
How to Make this Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Make the dressing first. In a mixing bowl or mason jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, garlic, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste.
If using a lidded mason jar, you can close tightly and shake together the ingredients.
Assemble the salad in a large bowl by placing the chopped lettuce or greens first, then arranging lines of the remaining ingredients on top of the chopped lettuce.
To serve, drizzle the dressing over the salad and garnish with parsley.
Ingredient Substitutes for this Chopped Salad
You can easily make this salad Whole30 friendly (or not!) by subbing in or out different ingredients.
Since even “cheese” is out for Whole30, you’ll want to omit the vegan feta. Also omit the maple syrup from the dressing for Whole30.
You can add in red bell pepper or more avocado to make up for the lack of feta, plus salting the salad itself can add flavor so you’re not missing the sharp feta.
If you include dairy in your diet, use regular feta cheese (of course!)
Also, feel free to add in chickpeas if you include legumes in your diet. They make a great addition to the salad!
Additionally, if you want to make this into a filling meal, simply add in chopped cooked chicken or another protein you like!
I hope you’re ready for a fresh, delicious and easy chopped salad that you’ll want on repeat!
Grab your ingredients, a mason jar and a big bowl because it’s time to eat – let’s go!
Mediterranean Chopped Salad {Paleo, Vegan}
Mediterranean Chopped Salad {Paleo, Vegan}
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup optional (omit for Whole30)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
Salad:
- 8 oz greens of your choice chopped (romaine, mixed greens, etc)
- 1 English cucumber halved lengthwise and diced*
- 1/2 large red onion diced
- 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 1 large avocado peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives sliced
- 4 ounces crumbled dairy free feta cheese such as Violife**
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
-
Make the dressing first. In a mixing bowl or mason jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, maple syrup, garlic, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. If using a lidded mason jar, you can close tightly and shake together the ingredients.
-
Assemble the salad in a large bowl by placing the chopped lettuce or greens first, then arranging lines of the remaining ingredients on top of the chopped lettuce. To serve, drizzle the dressing over the salad and garnish with parsley. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*English cucumber has thin skin and is seedless, if using a regular cucumber, make sure to remove the seeds and peel.
**If you include dairy in your diet, use regular feta cheese.
***Feel free to add in chickpeas if you include legumes in your diet
English cucumber has thin skin and is seedless, if using a regular cucumber, make sure to remove the seeds and peel.
The dressing is vibrant and its not short on any flavor! It definitely beats out any store bought vinaigrettes. If you want to rock in celebrity style picking up this attire which is perfect choice for you.
This was a delicious recipe. My husband enjoyed it and asked me to please make it again.
Michele, all your recipes are a hit. Love your baked goods also.
I am 80 years young, and I love to cook and bake.
Thank you for sharing your recipes with us.
klondike solitaire
Just brought this to a church potluck and got many compliments. It was almost gone. Delicious combination of toppings! I subbed chopped hard boiled egg for the feta and added fresh basil. Thanks for all the great recipes!
Its amazing
This recipe is too good. Thank you so much for sharing.
I am having salad in my daily routine since 5 years and I was searching something unique and here I found Mediterranean Chopped Salad. Thanks for sharing this one.
Can you suggest which type of salad is best for weight loss?
Great article Lot’s of information to Read…Great Keep Posting and update to People..Thanks
okbet mnl
Super excited to try this delicious Mediterranean Chopped Salad, seems amazing. Thanks for sharing this one , hope my kids gonna love this healthy one.
Great article
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a good article, i’am very hopefull
I am not a salad person. This was delicious. I have struggled for years making a salad at home, I can never get it right. I followed this recipe exactly minus the syrup and I am hooked. Thank you for finally teaching me how to make a healthy and yummy salad.