In this panzanella salad recipe, garden tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, onions and basil are combined with toasty bread and fresh mozzarella cheese, then tossed in the best homemade dressing. Panzanella is the most delicious and satisfying summer salad!
As soon as the wether warms up I start craving this panzanella salad recipe (and this burrata salad). I love picking fresh vegetables & herbs from my garden, adding some bread (like this homemade french bread), fresh mozzarella cheese and the best homemade dressing, and making this recipe.
There are many warm summer nights when we enjoy this panzanela salad as an entire meal. It’s also a spectacular side dish to serve with your favorite grilling recipes (like chicken satay, flank steak, etc.) or a bowl of fresh pesto pasta or pasta primavera.
Panzanella Salad: Ingredients & Substitutions
- Bread. I prefer fresh sourdough bread in this panzanella salad. You can also use ciabatta, french bread, etc.
- Olive oil. Avocado oil is a good substitute for olive oil.
- Tomatoes. garden-fresh heirloom tomatoes are my favorite. You can use any variety you prefer such as vine-ripened, Roma, etc.
- Cucumbers. We prefer to peel the cucumbers, if you’d like you can leave the peels on.
- Bell Peppers. Red, orange, yellow or green – choose your favorite variety.
- Onion. Once again, choose your favorite. I like red onions for flavor and color.
- Fresh Basil. There is no substitute for fresh basil.
- Fresh Mozzarella Cheese. Fresh burrata cheese is also an excellent choice.
- Optional additions. In the summer we get the best corn from a local farm, so I love cooking ears of fresh corn, cutting it off the Cobb and putting it in this salad. Avocado is also an excellent addition.
- Balsamic vinegar. choose a high-quality variety that is thick and sweet and pours like molasses.
- Dijon Mustard. Choose your favorite mustard.
- Honey. Maple syrup is a great substitute for honey, if desired.
- Minced Garlic. jarred or freshly minced are both great choices.
How to make Panzanella Salad
The majority of the time spent making this panzanella recipe is chopping up veggies! Let’s walk through the recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Toast the bread:
Begin by toasting the bread. You can cut it into 1” cubes or tear it with your hands for a more “rustic” feel. I suggest using this homemade french bread!
Then, spread the bread in an even layer onto a baking sheet and drizzle it with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix it together with your hands.
Bake for 5-8 minutes, stirring once halfway through. The bread should be crispy on the outside but still soft when squeezed (not hard like a crouton).
Alternatively, you could toast the bread on the stovetop: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the bread and stir to coat. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until lightly golden brown, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes.
Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
Assemble the Panzanella Salad
Now it’s time to assemble the salad. Put the tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, onion, mozzarella cheese, and fresh corn (if desired) in a bowl and gently stir to combine.
Then, season the veggies/cheese with salt and pepper and toss with the dressing.
Next, add the toasted bread and avocado and stir gently to combine
Taste and adjust salt and pepper as desired, then serve immediately.
To make in advance:
To make this panzanella salad ahead of time, combine all the ingredients except for the bread and avocado.
When ready to serve, add the bread and avocado and stir to combine.
Note: the bread absorbs the dressing and can get soggy. So add it when you are ready to serve the salad, not before.
Serve
Serve this panzanella salad recipe with your favorite main dish, or as a main all on it’s own. Here are some of my favorite recipes to pair with this salad:
- I am all about the carbs and vegetables in the summer, so I love serving panzanella with Pasta Primavera or Pesto Pasta!
- It’s a great side to serve with baked pesto chicken, or even just some baked chicken
- Panzanella is a great appetizer for spaghetti and the best homemade meatballs.
- Serve it with these grilled chicken satay skewers, grilled flank steak or chicken kabobs.
To store
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2 days. The bread in the salad will likely get a little soggy as it absorbs the dressing, but I actually really like it that way!
Recipe FAQs
What does panzanella mean in Italian?
It’s said that the salad, which originated Tuscany, gets its name from the Italian word “pane” which means bread.
What do you serve with Panzanella?
Serve panzanella with Pasta Primavera or Pesto Pasta or spaghetti and the best homemade meatballs.
Is Panzanella a main dish?
Panzanella can be a main dish, side dish or appetizer.
Is Panzanella good the next day?
I still love eating panzanella the next day!
