Description
Panzanella is a vibrant and refreshing Italian bread salad combining fresh garden vegetables, crunchy toasted rustic bread cubes, and a tangy apple cider vinegar dressing (natural). This colorful salad delivers a perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it ideal as a quick lunch or a stunning side dish for grilled or plant-based proteins. Easy to customize and made with simple ingredients, it brings a burst of summer freshness to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3 cups ripe, juicy fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 large crunchy cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Bread
- 4 cups rustic bread, cut into bite-sized cubes and toasted
Dressing (natural)
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar dressing (natural)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Cut rustic bread into bite-sized cubes. Toast the cubes evenly until golden and crunchy to add texture and absorb the dressing without becoming soggy.
- Chop the Vegetables: Dice the ripe tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers uniformly. Thinly slice the red onions to maintain a mild yet crisp texture.
- Make the Dressing (natural): In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar dressing (natural), extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well combined and balanced.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the toasted bread cubes with the chopped vegetables and fresh basil leaves. Pour the dressing over the mixture and toss carefully to coat all ingredients without breaking the bread cubes.
- Let It Rest: Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes so the bread softens slightly and the flavors meld together beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Use day-old rustic bread for better absorption without mushiness.
- Choose ripe, colorful tomatoes like heirloom or cherry for added sweetness and visual appeal.
- Toast bread cubes evenly to ensure a satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Toss salad gently to preserve bread texture and prevent smashing.
- Adjust the amount of dressing to taste, starting with less and adding more gradually.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Panzanella, bread salad, Italian salad, summer salad, fresh vegetables, toasted bread, easy salad, plant-based
