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Overhead shot of panzanella salad in a white bowl, featuring toasted bread cubes, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and basil leaves, with a fork and cloth.

Panzanella Salad

Chef Jenn
Panzanella Salad is a rustic Italian bread salad made with juicy tomatoes, toasted cubes of crusty bread, fresh basil, and a tangy vinaigrette. It's a vibrant, fresh dish that captures the essence of summer and makes a perfect light lunch or flavorful side for grilled meats and seafood.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian, Mediterranean
Servings 6 servings
Calories 298 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups crusty bread torn into 1-inch cubes
  • ⅓ + ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved, or grape tomatoes
  • ½ red onion thinly sliced
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves torn
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Warm ¼ cup of olive oil until hot but not smoking.
  • Add the bread and toast it, stirring often, until it’s crisp on the outside and soft inside. Season with a bit of salt and pepper.
  • Let the bread cool on paper towels.
  • Combine tomatoes, onion, and basil.
  • Add in the cooled bread cubes and gently mix everything together.
  • Whisk the remaining ⅓ cup olive oil with the vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
  • Let the salad sit at room temperature for 20–30 minutes before serving so the bread can soak up the flavors without getting mushy.

Notes

Chef Jenn's Tips

  • Use firm, slightly stale bread for best texture—fresh bread gets soggy fast.
  • Add the dressing while the bread is still slightly warm to help it absorb the flavor.
  • Want to make it more filling? Toss in cucumber, mozzarella, or grilled chicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 37gProtein: 8gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gSodium: 401mgPotassium: 206mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 349IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 3mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword Italian bread salad, Panzanella Salad, summer salad, tomato bread salad, vegetarian salad
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