The BEST Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe (2024)

5 from 11 reviews

This colorful Panzanella Salad has tomatoes, peppers, onion and cucumbers to give it loads of flavor, crunch and color. The bread is toasted then soaks up the garlic dressing and tomato juices which make it better and better as it sits. Perfect for summer potlucks and events!

The BEST Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe (1)

I originally shared this recipe on July 3rd, 2018. I have updated the post to share it with you again today.

Table of Contents hide

Why We Love This Recipe

Ingredients For This Panzanella Recipe

How To Make Panzanella Salad

FAQs for this Recipe

The Best Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe

Why We Love This Recipe

I adore Tuscan Bread Salad, or Panzanella as it is commonly known. It is made up of stale bread, fresh tomatoes and garlicky dressing.

There is something truly sublime about the salad made with bread! The bread is crisped first in the oven, then it’s soaked in the tomato juices and garlicky dressing.

That’s what makes it so great for a potluck or picnic in the summer- it just gets better and better as it sits! Or a wedding, which I kid you not, panzanella was on my own wedding menu!

This recipe is fantastic paired with grilled Pork tenderloin, Marinated Garlic Lemon Chicken and Burgers too. We like to serve other big casual summer side salads with it too, like this Creamy Chickpea Salad with lemon avocado dressing, this Mediterranean Quinoa Salad and this easy Italian Pasta Salad.

The BEST Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe (2)

Why This Tuscan Bread Salad Is Unique

  • This Rainbow hued version is so much more than your basic tomatoes plus bread panzanellas out there!
  • The bread is toasted then soaks up the garlic dressing and tomato juices which make it better and better as it sits. Perfect for summer potlucks and events!
  • In this panzanella, there’s all sorts of other colorful veggies tossed in. Since all my favorite veggies are bursting out of the garden right now, cucumbers, peppers and onions– I added in as many colors as I possibly could. It’s like eating a rainbow!
  • Also basil and olives pep this panzanella up even more- because when it comes to panzanella- more delicious Italian flavor is always more right?
The BEST Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe (3)

Ingredients For This Panzanella Recipe

The BEST Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe (4)

Which Bread to Use

Tuscan Italian recipes are known for creative (and delicious) ways of using up stale bread. From Ribollita (one of my favorite Tuscan soups) to Papa al Pomodoro (another bread thickened soup- made with tomatoes.) That’s because Tuscan bread is made without salt, and it goes stale quickly.

Funny story about Tuscan bread- I did my junior year in Florence, and the day we landed and moved into our apartments, I bought myself some olive oil and a loaf of bread. I’ll never forget how surprised I was to discover that the bread was unsalted!

I later learned that traditional Tuscan bread isn’t salted (probably a holdover from the Middle Ages.) You can buy it with salt, but you have to ask for it salted.

In this recipe, I used regular salted bread. Look for a nice crusty loaf that you have to cut yourself so you can make nice big cubes. “Ciabatta” is a great option if you can find it.

Veggies

What makes this panzanella stand out (and healthier) is the amount of extra veggies we have added in.Try to pick a couple different colors of tomatoes and peppers. And red onion adds a pretty colorful hue as well.

Olives

Look for Black and/or Green Italian Olives at the market. If the pits are included, press them with the side of your Chef’s knife and then pull them out. Roughly chop the olives. If you cannot find Italian olives, Greek will do well as a sub.

Dressing Ingredients

The dressing is made from red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic, Dijon and basil. I like the bright acidity of red wine vinegar with these summer ripe ingredients and it doesn’t discolor the bread like balsamic does.

How To Make Panzanella Salad

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Step 1: Toast the bread on a baking sheet to crisp it up. This will help it absorb more of the tomato juices and dressing and give it a crunchy yet tender texture.

Step 2: Whisk the vinegar, oil, garlic, dijon and basil in a large bowl with the salt and pepper.

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Step 3: Add the tomatoes and bread to the bowl with the dressing and stir together.

Step 4: Let the panzanella sit for 10 minutes to let the tomatoes and dressing soak into the crisped bread.

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Step 5: After the bread has soaked up the juices for 10 minutes or so, add the cucumbers, peppers, onions and olives to the bread and tomato mixture.

Step 6: Stir the veggies into the panzanella and serve immediately, or chill.

FAQs for this Recipe

What is Panzanella?

Panzanella is Italian bread salad made with fresh chopped tomatoes and day old toasted or stale bread. Many traditional Tuscan recipes start with soaking the bread in water and then ringing it out. They are then tossed with the tomatoes and dressing (always made with extra-virgin olive oil and often garlic.)
A lot of Americanized versions of the recipe (including this one) don’t include soaking the bread and wringing it out. I never thought that made much sense, since there is so much moisture from the tomatoes!

Can it be made ahead?

You can make this recipe two to four hours ahead. But the texture of the tomatoes will start to soften up a lot after that.
To Make Ahead 1 Day:
1. Toast the bread and keep it out on a sheet pan, loosely covered with foil.
2. Chop up the veggies (except the tomatoes) and keep them in a glass container in the fridge.
3. Mix the dressing and put it in a jar in the fridge.
4. Up to four hours before serving, toss the bread, freshly chopped tomatoes and dressing together, and let soak for 20 to 30 minutes. (Since the bread isn’t going to be hot, it will need extra time to soak.) Then add in the remaining ingredients.

What To Serve With Panzanella Salad

  • Most of my summertime dinners involve the grill in some form or another. I make My Favorite Garlic Marinade for chicken, beef or seafood several times a summer.
  • This Grilled Zucchini with balsamic would be another great vegetarian dish to serve.
  • If you’re serving a crowd for a summer party you could make this Creamy Avocado and Basil Chickpea Salad and Healthy Coleslaw too.And this Vegan Potato Salad is another hearty side dish to make for a cookout.
  • Last week we had it with a fried egg on top. Plain and simple!
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Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

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The BEST Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe (9)

The Best Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe

5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Katie Webster
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 side dishes or 6 entree servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

This colorful Panzanella Salad has tomatoes, peppers, onion and cucumbers to give it loads of flavor, crunch and color. The bread is toasted then soaks up the garlic dressing and tomato juices which make it better and better as it sits. Perfect for summer potlucks and events!

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 9 ounces crusty Italian bread, cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 1 large ripe red tomato, cored and cut into bite sized chunks
  • 1 large ripe yellow tomato, cored and cut into bite sized chunks
  • 1 red or orange bell pepper, cut into bite sized squares
  • 1 purple or green bell pepper, cut into bite sized squares
  • 1/2 red onion, root removed, peeled and sliced from stem end to root end
  • 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into small bite-sized chunks
  • 1/2 cup sliced pitted olives

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spread bread out on a large baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Bake until crispy and starting to brown, 12 to 14 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in basil.
  4. Add the hot croutons and red and yellow tomato to the dressing, and toss to coat. Let sit, tossing occasionally until the bread has absorbed the dressing and tomato juices, 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in red and purple peppers, onion, cucumber and olives. Serve immediately or at room temperature within two hours. If not serving within two hours, cover and refrigerate.

Notes

To Make Ahead One Day In Advance:

  1. The best way to do that is to toast the bread and keep it out on a sheet pan, loosely covered with foil.
  2. Then chop up the veggies (except the tomatoes) and keep them in a glass container in the fridge.
  3. Mix the dressing and put it in a jar in the fridge.
  4. Up to four hours before serving, toss the bread, tomatoes and dressing together, and let soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Then add in the remaining ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Side dish
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 189 cals
  • Fat: 13 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 3 g
The BEST Easy Healthy Panzanella Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the main ingredients in panzanella? ›

A classic Tuscan bread salad, panzanella is made of ripe tomatoes, dried Italian bread, and a simple tangy dressing. But for something so simple as bread and tomatoes, panzanella salad is one surprisingly complex and delightful summer dish, and one of my favorite things to make with tomatoes.

What does the word panzanella mean in English? ›

Meaning of panzanella in English

an Italian salad made with stale (= not fresh) bread in oil and tomatoes, and often other vegetables: Stale bread can be used in panzanella, a Tuscan bread salad.

What are the best tomatoes for salads? ›

Baby Tomatoes: Cherry, Grape, and co*cktail

Easily halved, cherry tomatoes are ideal for all sorts of salads, especially pasta salads. They aren't only enjoyed raw, however. Because they're so juicy, cherry tomatoes make a delicious a sauce, like in our Shrimp and Burst Cherry Tomato Pasta.

Where is panzanella salad from? ›

Of course, traditionally, panzanella isn't an any-vegetable-goes kind of salad. It originated in Tuscany as a way to use up stale bread, and tomatoes were always a key ingredient. Their juices soak into the bread, softening it and giving it flavor. Onions, basil, and a tangy vinaigrette round out the dish.

What does panzanella taste like? ›

Earthy beets, vibrant orange, and fresh herbs like dill, parsley, tarragon, and mint add depth to the entire dish. Food and Wine's roundup of eighteen amazing Italian salads including a panzanella recipe is a great place to start. The options are endless and will leave your mouth watering.

Why is it called Israeli salad? ›

It was adopted by Jewish immigrants to the Levant in the late 19th century, who found the locally grown Kirby cucumbers and tomatoes in popular local salad. It was popularized in the kibbutzim, where the Jewish farmers had local fresh produce at hand. The name Israeli Salad is used mainly outside of Israel.

What is a Tuscan panzanella salad Wiki? ›

Panzanella (Italian: [pantsaˈnɛlla]) or panmolle ( Italian: [pamˈmɔlle]) is a Tuscan and Umbrian chopped salad of soaked stale bread, onions and tomatoes that is popular in the summer.

What is the meaning of Russian salad? ›

/ˌrʌʃn ˈsæləd/ [uncountable, countable] ​a dish consisting of pieces of cooked vegetables, covered with mayonnaise.

What Greek word did the word salad come from? ›

The word “salad” comes from the ancient Latin word “sal” for “salt”. In ancient times, salt was an important ingredient in dressing. You might be surprised to learn that ancient Romans and Greeks enjoyed raw vegetables with dressing.

Which tomatoes are healthiest to eat? ›

Black, Brown, and Purple Tomatoes

These colors offer high levels of lycopene, vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium, so they are nutritionally complete in comparison to lighter colors. Black, brown, and purple tomatoes are also packed with flavor and often have a surprisingly sweet taste.

Is it OK to eat cucumbers and tomatoes together? ›

You can eat fresh tomatoes and cucumbers on their own, but you can also eat them together in a salad for a snack or light side dish. A tomato and cucumber salad can be rich in essential nutrients, such as potassium and vitamin C, and some kinds of tomato and cucumber salad can also help you lose weight.

What country made the first salad? ›

Food historians tell us salads (generally defined as mixed greens with dressing) were enjoyed by ancient Romans and Greeks. As time progressed, salads became more complicated. Recipes varied according to place and time. Dinner salads, as we know them today, were popular with Renaissance folks.

What is caprese salad made of? ›

What is Caprese Salad? “Insalata Caprese” literally means “the salad of Capri” which is an Italian island. Caprese salad is typically made by layering slices of fresh mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and basil, then seasoned to perfection, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sometimes a balsamic glaze.

What is Greek bread made from? ›

Greek bread typically consists of ingredients such as flour, water, salt, yeast and olive oil. It can be prepared in a variety of ways including making it into flatbreads, or baking it in the oven to create loaves. Greek bread is often used for dipping sauces and spreads like tzatziki.

What is fairy bread made of? ›

Fairy bread, which can be traced back to Australia and New Zealand, is simply sliced white bread spread with butter and covered with multi-colored round "hundreds and thousands," the Australian term for sprinkles. It is then typically cut into triangles.

What is olive bread made of? ›

Make the Dough

In a large bowl, combine bread flour, yeast, salt. Add the warm water, olive oil, and honey. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to combine until a slightly shaggy, sticky dough forms. Sprinkle in the chopped olives.

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