Amazing Chopped Romaine Salad Recipe for Beginners

Savory chopped romaine salad refines ordinary leafy greens into a culinary canvas bursting with flavor and vitality.

Green leaves become the star, offering a crisp foundation for bold ingredients that dance across your plate.

Robust textures interplay with surprising harmony, creating a symphony of crunch and freshness.

Mediterranean-inspired elements elevate this simple dish beyond basic expectations.

Nutritious and versatile, the salad adapts to countless flavor profiles with remarkable ease.

Seasonal ingredients breathe life into each carefully assembled bite.

You’ll want to make this your go-to meal that sparks conversation and satisfies hunger.

Fresh and Crisp Chopped Romaine Salad

• Boost Flavor Complexity: Charred corn and crispy croutons deliver an exciting flavor explosion that transforms a simple salad into a gourmet experience, creating multiple taste layers with minimal effort.
• Quick and Customizable Creation: This recipe takes just 20 minutes to prepare, allowing home cooks to easily swap ingredients or adjust seasoning while maintaining a delicious core structure that suits different dietary preferences.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Packed with fresh romaine, protein-rich blue cheese, and fiber-filled vegetables, this salad delivers a balanced meal option that feels indulgent yet provides essential nutrients without overwhelming calories.
• Textural Wonderland: Combining crunchy homemade croutons, tender corn kernels, crisp lettuce, and creamy blue cheese dressing, this salad offers an exciting mouthfeel that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.

Ingredients for Chopped Romaine Salad

Main Ingredients:

• Romaine Lettuce: Crisp base of the salad, provides fresh and crunchy texture with light green color.

• Blue Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that adds rich flavor and depth to the salad.

• Corn: Sweet and charred kernels that bring smoky flavor and natural sweetness, best when freshly grilled.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Bright, juicy addition that offers color and fresh burst of flavor.

• Blue Cheese Dressing: Creamy coating that binds salad ingredients and adds rich, tangy taste.
• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that provides aromatic and traditional Mediterranean flavors.
• Garlic Salt: Adds savory depth and enhances overall seasoning profile.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and complements other seasonings.

• Bread Cubes: Crunchy element that adds texture and absorbs dressing, preferably day-old bread for best results.
• Olive Oil: Helps toast croutons and adds subtle fruity undertones.

How to Prepare Chopped Romaine Salad

Step 1: Prepare Crispy Croutons

• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper

Spread cubes evenly and bake 10 minutes until golden and crunchy. Stir halfway through for even browning. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Char The Corn

Fire up your grill or broiler to high heat. Brush corn with olive oil and grill until lovely charred spots appear. Let cool slightly, then slice kernels off the cob. Alternative broiler method: Remove kernels, toss in olive oil, spread on baking sheet, and broil 3 minutes until sizzling.

Step 3: Wash And Prep Lettuce

Rinse romaine lettuce thoroughly. Spin dry using a salad spinner or pat with clean towels. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Step 4: Dress The Salad

Drizzle chunky blue cheese dressing over lettuce. Gently toss to coat without wilting the greens.

Step 5: Assemble And Serve

• Grilled corn kernels
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Homemade croutons

Serve immediately for maximum crunch and flavor.

Tips for the Best Chopped Romaine Salad

• Create Crispy Croutons: Use day-old bread for maximum crunchiness and prevent waste by transforming stale bread into golden, seasoned croutons.
• Char Corn Perfectly: Rotate corn while grilling to ensure even caramelization and maximum smoky flavor without burning the kernels.
• Prevent Soggy Salad: Always add dressing just before serving to maintain lettuce crispness and prevent wilting of fresh romaine.
• Enhance Flavor Layers: Toast seasonings briefly in a dry pan before adding to croutons to intensify their aromatic profile and depth.
• Keep Ingredients Fresh: Wash and dry romaine thoroughly, storing unused portions in a sealed container with paper towel to absorb excess moisture and extend refrigerator life.

Storing and Reheating Chopped Romaine Salad

• Refrigeration: Transfer any remaining salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep croutons and corn kernels separate to maintain their crispness and prevent soggy texture.
• Reheating Corn: Warm corn kernels quickly in a skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Alternatively, use a microwave in short 15-second bursts, checking to ensure even heating.
• Freshening Up: Before serving leftover salad, add fresh croutons and a splash of dressing to revive the flavors and restore the salad's original crunch. Discard lettuce if it appears wilted or shows signs of browning to ensure food safety and enjoyment.

Pairings with Chopped Romaine Salad

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Match this zesty salad with a crisp sauvignon blanc or an unoaked chardonnay, which complements the blue cheese's tangy notes and cuts through the richness of the dressing.
• Craft Beer Companion: Select a hoppy IPA or a light wheat beer to balance the salad's bold flavors, with the beer's carbonation cleansing the palate between bites of creamy blue cheese and grilled corn.
• Perfect Protein Partner: Serve alongside grilled chicken breast or seared salmon to transform this salad into a complete meal, allowing the protein to enhance the smoky corn and herbal crouton elements.
• Rustic Bread Sidekick: Pair with a warm, crusty sourdough or ciabatta to soak up the remaining blue cheese dressing, creating a delightful textural contrast to the crisp romaine and crunchy croutons.

Creative Variations of Chopped Romaine Salad

• Southwestern Corn Crunch: Swap blue cheese dressing for spicy chipotle ranch, add black beans, diced bell peppers, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Splash: Replace Italian seasoning with za'atar spice blend, use feta instead of blue cheese, incorporate cucumber chunks, and drizzle with lemon-olive oil vinaigrette for a Greek-inspired version.
• Smoky Bacon Ranch Remix: Crisp up chopped bacon bits, mix ranch dressing with a touch of smoked paprika, and add sliced green onions for a rich, smoky flavor profile that elevates the classic salad.
• Avocado Lime Fiesta: Dice ripe avocados, add fresh lime juice, incorporate pickled red onions, and use a creamy cilantro-lime dressing to create a bright, fresh take on the original recipe.

Chopped Romaine Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp romaine leaves mingle with zesty ranch dressing in this classic chopped salad. Crunchy bacon bits and tangy cheese elevate this simple yet irresistible dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Produce Ingredients:

• 2 ears fresh corn (about 1 cup of kernels)
• 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered if large

Seasoning and Oil:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Dressing:

• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) Marie’s® Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, lightly coated with cooking spray.
2. Toss bread cubes with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl until evenly coated. Spread the cubes across the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
3. Bake croutons for 10 minutes, stirring midway to ensure uniform browning. Remove from oven and let cool completely, allowing them to crisp further.
4. Prepare corn by brushing with olive oil and grilling over high heat until kernels develop light charred marks, rotating occasionally for even cooking.
5. Alternatively, remove corn kernels from cob and spread on a baking sheet, then broil for 3 minutes until lightly caramelized and sizzling.
6. Thoroughly wash romaine lettuce under cool running water, then dry completely using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel.
7. Slice the dried lettuce into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large serving bowl.
8. Drizzle blue cheese dressing over lettuce, gently tossing to coat each leaf without crushing the delicate greens.
9. Top the dressed salad with grilled corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, and the freshly baked homemade croutons.
10. Serve immediately to maintain the crispness of the croutons and the freshness of the salad.

Notes

• Croutons transform ordinary bread into crunchy, golden treasures with just olive oil and seasoning.
• Grilling corn adds smoky depth, bringing sweet charred kernels that pop with summer flavor.
• Blue cheese dressing coats crisp romaine leaves, creating a creamy, tangy backdrop for fresh ingredients.
• Broiling or grilling techniques elevate simple vegetables, unlocking intense caramelized notes.
• Cherry tomatoes burst with juicy brightness, providing vibrant color and fresh contrast to the salad.
• Careful ingredient preparation ensures each bite delivers maximum texture and taste sensation.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 380 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg