• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
This Mess is Ours logo
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • The Blog
  • Dog Life
    • Dog House Home
    • Dog Food Recipes
  • Shop
    • Snack + Supplies
      • Gluten Free (Snacks + More)
      • Kitchen Essentials
      • Lunchbox Gear
      • Pantry Staples
      • Cookbook Faves
  • About
    • My Story
    • Web Stories
    • As Seen On ATL+CO
    • PORTFOLIO
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Browse Recipes
  • Dogs
  • Shop
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Chopped Salad Recipes Are Famous, Here's Why They're So Great

    A large chopped salad in a green bowl.
    Tweet
    Pin66
    Share
    66 Shares
    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    If you're looking to elevate your salad game, chopped salads are the way to go. These vibrant dishes are celebrated for their fresh ingredients, delightful textures, and the way they transform ordinary greens into a crave worthy meal you'll be making on repeat.

    {{This Chopped Salad recipe and the post that goes with it was made in partnership with California Grown! We received compensation in exchange for it. Opinions are always our own. If we don’t love it, you don’t hear about it. Thanks for your continued support! }}

    What is a Chopped Salad?

    A chopped salad is not just a salad—it's a finely crafted blend of fresh vegetables, crisp lettuce, and a medley of toppings, all chopped into small, uniform pieces. This meticulous preparation ensures that each bite offers a harmonious mix of flavors and textures, for an endlessly satisfying meal.

    Why is it Called Chopped Salad?

    The name stems from its method of preparation. Unlike traditional salads, where ingredients may be left in larger pieces, a chopped salad involves finely chopping everything—from crisp cucumbers and red onion to grape tomatoes and bell peppers. This technique ensures that every ingredient is evenly distributed throughout the salad, enhancing the eating experience.

    What's the Difference Between a Chopped Salad and a Regular Salad?

    The key difference lies in the texture and presentation. While traditional salads may feature whole or larger pieces of ingredients, chopped salads offer a more integrated and cohesive texture. Each component, whether it's the crunchy lettuce or the tangy dressing, is chopped into small pieces, ensuring a balanced taste with every forkful.

    What Ingredients Are Best for This Type of Salad?

    A well-curated chopped salad is a feast for the senses. Picture a large salad bowl filled with all of your favorite fresh produce, perfectly cooked proteins, and crispy toppings. Below are some ideas of ways you can mix and match your way to the perfect chopped salad for you.

    • Leafy greens: green leaf lettuce, romaine hearts, kale.
    • Crisp vegetables: celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, olives.
    • Fresh fruits: grapes, apples, berries, even melon.
    • Proteins: bacon, chicken, beans.
    • Toppers: cheese, seeds, nuts, dried fruit

    What Type of Salad Dressings Are Best with This Type of Salad?

    The dressing is crucial to a delicious salad experience. The ingredients in the dressing should enhance the flavors without overpowering the salad's natural deliciousness.

    Apricot Mango Mostarda in a bowl.

    Creamy Apricot Mostarda Dressing

    Mostarda is a blend of sweet and savory flavors that will transform any dish, even salad dressing!

    This salad dressing is easy to make and tastes like an epic glow-up to the traditional honey mustard dressing.

    Scroll down to the recipe card to make this salad dressing.
    salad dressing in front of salad

    Creamy Romano & Peppercorn Dressing

    Consider this salad dressing recipe the "little black dress" of creamy dressings. It's easy to make, you probably already have the ingredients to make it on hand, and everyone raves about the flavor!

    Click here for this salad dressing recipe.

    Lemon Salad Dressing

    Are you looking for a simple and delicious dressing to add to your salads? Look no further than the sensational lemon salad dressing recipe I created for CA GROWN. Not only is this salad dressing easy to make at home, but it’s also packed with vitamin C and potent antioxidant benefits.

    Click here for this salad dressing recipe.

    Strawberry Chopped Salad with Chicken
    Whole30 Citrus Chopped Salad
    Mexican Chopped Salad

    Embracing Chopped Salads: A Fresh Take on Everyday Meals

    Whether enjoyed as a main dish or a refreshing side, their versatility and nutritional value make them a favorite among health-conscious individuals and food enthusiasts alike.

    More Delicious Recipes for Chopped Salad

    1. Mexican Chopped Salad - Dive into the bold flavors of Mexico with this vibrant salad from Hola Jalapeño. Featuring ingredients like avocado, black beans, and tangy lime dressing, it's a fiesta on your plate.
    2. Strawberry Chopped Salad with Chicken - From CA GROWN, indulge in the sweetness of strawberries paired with grilled chicken, crunchy almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette for a light yet satisfying meal.
    3. Whole30 Citrus Chopped Salad - For a refreshing twist, try this Whole30-approved salad from No Crumbs Left. Bursting with citrus flavors, fresh herbs, and a creamy avocado dressing, it's perfect for those embracing a healthy lifestyle.

    Perfect for Meal Prep and Beyond

    This type of salad is also perfect for meal prep, staying fresh and flavorful even when stored in separate containers. Prepare them ahead of time in airtight containers or mason jar salads for convenient lunches or dinners throughout the week.

    Why These Types of Salad Are a Must-Try

    Chopped salads offer more than just nutrition—they provide a flavorful and satisfying meal experience that celebrates fresh vegetables and delicious flavors. Whether you're enjoying a classic recipe or exploring new variations, chopped salads are always a good choice when answering the age-old question, 'What's for dinner?'


    Have you tried a chopped salad recently? Share your favorite recipes or tips for creating the perfect blend of flavors in the comments below!

    For more culinary inspiration and delicious recipes, follow @THISMESSISOURS on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or Pinterest. Join our community of food enthusiasts and discover new ways to enjoy wholesome and intentional living through cooking!

    Print

    Chopped Salad with Creamy Apricot Mostarda Dressing

    A big salad next to a small pitcher of dressing made with mostarda.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    No reviews

    • Author: This Mess is Ours
    • Prep Time: 20
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: Salad
    • Method: Assembled
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the Chopped Salad:

    2 heads leafy greens: kale, Romaine lettuce, butter lettuce

    1 red apple, cored, diced

    1 cup red grapes, sliced

    ½ of a red onion, diced 

    2 sticks celery, diced

    2 cups cooked chicken, roasted or grilled 

    6 strips bacon, cooked until crispy

    ¼ cup toasted slivered almonds

    For the Creamy Apricot Mostarda Dressing

    1 cup Apricot Mango Mostarda

    ½ cup plain yogurt

    salt to taste

    Instructions

    • To build the salad:

    Combine all of the ingredients for the salad into a large serving bowl. Set aside. 

    To make the dressing:

    Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust salt, if needed.

    Combine the salad with the dressing and serve immediately, or store in separate containers until ready to serve.

    Notes

    The dressing can be made and stored for up to 5 days in a tightly covered container in the fridge. 

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size:
    • Calories: 657
    • Sugar: 25.4 g
    • Sodium: 877.2 mg
    • Fat: 50.4 g
    • Carbohydrates: 40.9 g
    • Protein: 26.8 g
    • Cholesterol: 96.9 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @thismessisours on Instagram and hashtag it #thismessisours

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

    Click here to view the Google Web Story for this post!

    You May Also Like

    • Chicken on a serving platter.
      Sangrita Marinated Chicken: A Great Recipe For…
    • SPring-Salad-Recipes
      A Collection of Easy Spring Salad Recipes
    • The Best Recipes with Prunes
      The Best Recipes with Prunes
    « Your New Favorite Condiment; Apricot Mango Mostarda
    Better Than Olive Garden Salad Copycat Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    Primary Sidebar

    EXCLUSIVE FROM GARDYN

    GET $100 OFF YOUR GARDYN ORDER - EXCLUSIVELY FROM THIS MESS IS OURS x GARDYN.

    USE PROMO CODE: THISMESSISOURS

     

    TRENDING

    • two glasses of homemade soda with cherrys in them next to a small bowl of prunesHow To Make Cherry Dr. Pepper Soda At Home
    • brown dog eating a fish on grassWe Love Fish But Can Dogs Eat Fish?
    • cut open hard boiled egg on plateShould Dogs Eat Boiled Eggs? Everything You Need To Know!
    • TMIO Green Salad with Crispy Panela Salad topper-01A Crunchy Salad Topper with Panela Cheese & Pistachio
    • A close up of home made dog food. Brown rice, hard boiled eggs, fresh sliced cranberries, sweet potato, hemp hearts, green peas, and ground turkeyCan Dogs Eat Turkey Meat? Why Your Dogs Will Love It!
    • A pita bread stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, tzatziki, and shredded Greek chicken.The Greek Chicken Recipe We Can't Stop Eating

    About Meg

    Individual Strawberry Crisps

    Life can get pretty complicated, especially around dinner time. Whether you’ve got picky eaters, or bonafide allergy concerns, we’ve got some inspiration that’ll get you excited to bring all of those wants, needs and like-to-have’s around your family table. I’ve put together a couple of quick articles and guides to help you get started on your journey, or maybe just to help you get to know us a little better. So dig in and see what we’re all about. Just don’t judge – because we’re a total mess! More About Us

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Privacy Policy · Shop Policy

    Copyright © 2025 / This Mess Is Ours
    Lunch Monsters is a TM of This Mess Is Ours.