Zesty Mixed Salad with Italian Sausage
Elevate your salad game with this vibrant and hearty Zesty Mixed Salad with Italian Sausage, a perfect blend of bold flavors and fresh ingredients! Juicy grilled Italian sausage—choose mild for subtle warmth or spicy for a fiery kick—takes center stage atop a colorful medley of crisp mixed greens, sweet cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and tangy red onion. Black olives and julienned red bell peppers add a Mediterranean touch, while shredded Parmesan ties it all together with a rich finish. Drizzled with a homemade zesty dressing featuring fresh lemon juice, dijon mustard, and a hint of honey, this salad balances savory, tangy, and sweet notes in every bite. Quick and easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, this versatile dish works as a satisfying main course or a flavorful side for any meal. Perfect for weeknight dinners, outdoor gatherings, or a refreshing lunch, this salad is a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 links Italian sausage (mild or spicy)
- 6 cups Mixed salad greens (e.g., arugula, spinach, romaine)
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium Cucumber, thinly sliced
- 0.5 medium Red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup Black olives, sliced
- 1 medium Red bell pepper, julienned
- 0.5 cup Shredded Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 0.5 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoon Salt
- 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
Preheat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium heat. Grill or cook the Italian sausage links for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are cooked through and have a charred exterior. Set aside to cool slightly, then slice them into bite-sized pieces.
While the sausage cooks, prepare the vegetables. Wash and dry the mixed salad greens. Halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the cucumber and red onion, and julienne the red bell pepper.
In a small mixing bowl, prepare the zesty dressing by whisking together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and red bell pepper.
Toss the vegetables gently with the prepared dressing until evenly coated.
Top the salad with the sliced Italian sausage and shredded Parmesan cheese.
Serve immediately, dividing the salad among plates or serving it family-style. Enjoy this hearty, zesty salad!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1912 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 162.4 g | 208% | |
| Saturated Fat | 44.1 g | 220% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 240 mg | 80% | |
| Sodium | 4695 mg | 204% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 61.4 g | 22% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.0 g | 57% | |
| Total Sugars | 25.9 g | ||
| Protein | 74.2 g | 148% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 768 mg | 59% | |
| Iron | 12.2 mg | 68% | |
| Potassium | 2777 mg | 59% | |
*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.
