Italian Bread Salad
Transform your summer meals with this vibrant and flavorful Italian Bread Salad, also known as Panzanella—a classic Tuscan recipe that turns simple pantry staples into a show-stopping dish. Made with cubes of day-old crusty bread that soak up the juicy sweetness of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and fragrant basil, this salad is topped with a zesty vinaigrette of extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and garlic. Thinly sliced red onion adds a subtle bite, while optional capers bring a tangy twist. With just 20 minutes of prep time and no cooking required, this refreshing recipe is perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or an easy crowd-pleaser at your next summer gathering. Savor the taste of Italy with every forkful of this rustic, flavor-packed delight!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups Day-old crusty bread
- 4 medium Ripe tomatoes
- 1 medium Cucumber
- 1 small Red onion
- 1 cup Fresh basil leaves
- 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Capers (optional)
Instructions
Cut the day-old crusty bread into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
Core and dice the ripe tomatoes into bite-sized pieces, allowing the juices to collect in a bowl.
Peel and slice the cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference.
Thinly slice the red onion and soak it in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce its sharpness, then drain.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread, diced tomatoes (along with their juices), cucumber, and red onion.
Add the fresh basil leaves, tearing them into smaller pieces by hand.
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the vinaigrette.
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine, making sure the bread absorbs the flavors.
If using, add capers for an extra burst of flavor and toss lightly.
Allow the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to let the flavors meld.
Serve immediately and enjoy a refreshing Italian Bread Salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
831 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 22.5 g | 29% | |
| Saturated Fat | 3.2 g | 16% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1779 mg | 77% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 130.7 g | 48% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.2 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 16.5 g | ||
| Protein | 24.8 g | 50% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 298 mg | 23% | |
| Iron | 10.1 mg | 56% | |
| Potassium | 688 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
