Crisp & Colorful Chopped Romaine Salad Recipe for Summer

Crisp, green romaine takes center stage in this vibrant chopped romaine salad that bursts with fresh flavors and colorful textures.

Summer lunches and quick dinner sides thrive on this simple yet satisfying recipe.

Tender lettuce leaves mingle with zesty ingredients, creating a delightful symphony of crunch and taste.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of greens and complementary mix-ins that make this salad anything but ordinary.

The combination of chopped romaine with tangy dressings and crunchy toppings turns an everyday green into a memorable dish.

Restaurants and home cooks alike adore this light, refreshing salad that comes together in mere minutes.

You’ll want to keep this recipe in your back pocket for those moments when a quick, nutritious meal calls your name.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 155 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Chopped Romaine Salad

• Fresh Corn: Sweet summer staple that adds crunch and bright flavor, best when picked recently from local farms.
• Olive Oil: Enhances corn's natural sweetness and helps achieve golden, caramelized edges.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Essential flavor boosters that elevate and balance the entire salad's taste profile.

• Romaine Lettuce: Crisp, sturdy green that creates a perfect base with its robust texture and mild flavor.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy bursts of sweetness that complement the salad's crunchier elements, choose vibrant, firm ones.

• Marie's Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing: Creamy, tangy sauce that ties all ingredients together with rich, bold flavor, offering instant gourmet appeal.

Directions to Build a Chopped Romaine Salad

• Crispy Crouton Creation

Transform plain bread into crunchy golden bites by cutting into cubes and tossing with olive oil and seasonings. Spread on a baking sheet and bake until perfectly toasted, creating a delightful crunch for your salad.

• Corn Charring

Brush fresh corn with olive oil and grill until beautiful char marks appear. This technique adds smoky depth and incredible flavor to the salad, releasing natural sweetness from the kernels.

• Lettuce Preparation

Carefully wash romaine leaves, ensuring no dirt remains. Shake off excess water and chop into bite-sized pieces that make each forkful easy and enjoyable.

• Salad Assembly

Layer chopped romaine in a large bowl, creating a fresh green base. Sprinkle grilled corn kernels generously across the top, allowing their golden color to peek through the lettuce.

• Final Touches

Drizzle blue cheese dressing over the salad, letting it cascade down through the layers. Top with homemade croutons for a satisfying crunch that elevates the entire dish. Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes for a burst of color and freshness.

Flavor Add-Ins and Tips for Chopped Romaine Salad

• Experiment with different bread types like sourdough, whole wheat, or even day-old baguette for unique texture and flavor variations in your homemade croutons.
• Try multiple methods to roast corn – stovetop cast-iron skillet, open flame gas burner, or outdoor barbecue grill can create different smoky flavor profiles for your salad.
• Swap blue cheese for ranch, green goddess, or creamy avocado dressing to transform the salad's taste while keeping its core freshness and crunch intact.
• Elevate this salad by adding grilled chicken, crispy bacon bits, hard-boiled eggs, or seared shrimp for a more substantial meal that's perfect for lunch or light dinner.
• During summer, include fresh peach slices or nectarines for sweetness; in autumn, roasted butternut squash cubes can add warmth and depth to the romaine base.

How to Serve a Crisp Chopped Romaine Salad

• Quick Lunch Companion: Pair this zesty salad with a chilled glass of crisp white wine or light beer to enhance the fresh flavors and create a perfect midday meal.
• Summer Sidekick: Transform this chopped romaine salad into a complete dinner by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or sliced steak for extra protein and a heartier option.
• Picnic Perfect Presentation: Pack the ingredients separately in mason jars or containers, then assemble just before serving to maintain the crunch of croutons and freshness of vegetables during outdoor meals.
• Customization Station: Swap blue cheese for ranch or feta, experiment with different herbs in croutons, or add roasted red peppers and avocado slices to create your personal flavor adventure and make the salad uniquely yours.

Keeping Chopped Romaine Salad Fresh and Ready

• Quick Chilling Strategy: Store salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain maximum crispness, keeping lettuce, croutons, and corn kernels in different sections of your refrigerator.
• Smart Prep Technique: Assemble croutons and roasted corn up to 3 days ahead, storing them in sealed containers at room temperature to reduce last-minute cooking stress and save precious meal preparation time.
• Freshness Extension Method: Keep washed and dried romaine lettuce wrapped in paper towels inside a breathable produce bag, which helps absorb excess moisture and prevents wilting for up to 5 days in the refrigerator's crisper drawer.
• Leftover Magic Approach: Transform remaining salad ingredients into a delightful lunch wrap by combining chopped lettuce, corn kernels, and croutons inside a tortilla with an extra drizzle of blue cheese dressing for a quick next-day meal solution.

Tools to Toss and Prep Chopped Romaine Salad

• Baking Sheet: Essential for creating crispy, golden-brown croutons and roasting corn kernels.
• Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing lettuce with dressing and tossing ingredients.
• Salad Spinner or Kitchen Towel: Crucial for drying lettuce thoroughly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping corn kernels and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise cutting of corn and other vegetables.
• Grill or Broiler: Used for charring corn and adding smoky flavor.
• Mixing Spoon or Tongs: Helpful for tossing salad and distributing dressing evenly.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Useful for accurately portioning olive oil and seasonings.

Crisp Romaine Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Zesty chopped romaine salad delivers a crisp Mediterranean-inspired medley of fresh ingredients. Crunchy vegetables, tangy feta, and herbed vinaigrette promise delightful flavors you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 2 ears fresh corn (about 1 cup of kernels)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
• ⅓ cup (79 mL / 2.7 fl oz) Marie’s® Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
• 2 tsps olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Crouton Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), line baking sheet with aluminum foil, and lightly spray with cooking oil. Toss bread cubes with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coating. Spread cubes in a single layer and bake for 10 minutes, stirring midway to achieve uniform golden-brown color. Allow croutons to cool and crisp completely.
2. Corn Roasting: Grill corn over high heat, rotating to develop light charred marks, or alternatively, spread kernels on a baking sheet and broil for 3 minutes until lightly caramelized and sizzling.
3. Lettuce Preparation: Thoroughly rinse romaine lettuce under cool water, then dry completely using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel. Slice into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large serving bowl.
4. Salad Assembly: Drizzle blue cheese dressing over lettuce, gently tossing to coat each leaf without crushing the delicate greens. Garnish with grilled corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, and freshly baked homemade croutons.
5. Serving: Present immediately to preserve the crispness of croutons and the salad’s vibrant freshness.

Notes

• Crouton Crispness Control: Ensure even baking by spreading bread cubes in a single layer and stirring halfway through cooking for uniform golden-brown texture.
• Corn Caramelization Technique: Char corn either by grilling directly or broiling to develop rich, smoky flavor and enhance natural sweetness.
• Lettuce Prep Perfection: Completely dry lettuce after washing to prevent dressing from becoming watery and maintain crisp salad texture.
• Dress with Delicacy: Gently toss dressing to coat leaves evenly without bruising the delicate romaine, preserving the salad’s fresh appearance and texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 155
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 340 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg