Mediterranean Diet Italian Salad with Homemade Italian Dressing

Bright, fresh, and packed with flavor, this Mediterranean Diet Italian Salad with Homemade Italian Dressing is a vibrant celebration of wholesome ingredients that comes together in just 15 minutes. Crisp romaine lettuce forms the perfect base for juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tangy Kalamata olives, and creamy crumbled feta cheese, all elevated by aromatic fresh basil. The homemade Italian dressing, made with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a medley of herbs and spices, ties everything together with its bold, zesty flavor. This Mediterranean-inspired salad is not only delicious but also heart-healthy, making it a perfect choice for lunch, dinner, or as a refreshing side dish. Serve it chilled for a burst of summer in every bite!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 0.5 small Red onion
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives
• 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
• 0.5 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove Garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the salad ingredients. Rinse the romaine lettuce under cold water and pat it dry with paper towels. Chop the romaine into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2

Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber into thin rounds, and slice the red onion into very thin strips.

Step 3

Place the chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, red onion, Kalamata olives, and fresh basil leaves into a large salad bowl.

Step 4

Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad ingredients.

Step 5

For the dressing, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or a jar with a lid.

Step 6

Whisk the ingredients together if using a bowl, or shake vigorously if using a jar until the dressing is well emulsified.

Step 7

Pour the homemade Italian dressing over the salad. Toss the salad gently to ensure all ingredients are coated with the dressing.

Step 8

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour before serving for a chilled, refreshing salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1417.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1777.0

Total Fat 170.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 36.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.6g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 4168.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 49.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 19.7g	0%
Total Sugars 16.3g
Protein 28.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 979.8mg	0%
Iron 11.7mg	0%
Potassium 2048.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 83.0%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 10.8%