How to make an Italian Salad Board
Looking for how to make an Italian Salad Board? Lay out all of your favorite Italian salad fixings on a board, instead of in a mixing bowl.
Ready for summer entertaining? This post is about How to Make an Italian Salad Board! You first gather your favorite Italian salad ingredients, and then arrange them on a board, instead of chopping them up to add to a bowl.
This gives everyone the chance to make their own favorite salad version! Easy!
How to make an Italian Salad Board
We love this fresh salad idea for summer, even in place of a cheese board. Graze off easy salad fixings, and you will have happy guests! Also, do you ever get anxiety about making everything just right with entertaining? Hand raised—I do! Even after 30 years of entertaining. Which is why we love the salad platter. You may have already tried my “Make Your Own Burrata Salad Board” or Chickpea Cobb Salad Board, which are also great for occasions and celebrations.
Italian Salad Board Ingredients:
Let’s get started with these easy foods to buy:
- Marinated mozzarella balls
- Toasted, sliced almonds
- Sharp cheddar cubes (or other cheese)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Buratta
- Pitted marinated olives
- Red Pepperazzi Peppers
- Baby bell peppers
- Radicchio
- Pickled red onion
- Sliced salami
- Balsamic Italian dressing
- Gem lettuce
- Baguette bread to serve
Why we love an Italian Salad Board
Buying local produce and baked goods at the farmers market is one of my simple summer joys, especially when I can incorporate them into a board. This Italian Summer Salad board takes advantage of fresh summer produce, and pairs it with a variety of delicious pickled and preserved toppings, as well as fresh, mild and sharp, summer cheeses.
A simple salad platter (or board) is also great for a small luncheon, or as a side dish for dinner.
A board also creates a sense of calm, when it’s all prepared and guests walk through the door. It’s beautiful, and a fun experience for guests! Think of the old “salad bar” now on a board. Beautiful!
How to serve an Italian Salad Board
When you serve the salad family-style in the middle of the table, everyone digs in, and makes their own favorite salad.
Boards are great, because the whole meal becomes more relaxed. We’ve even noticed the conversation gets more lively, and everyone is just laid back.
- Use small bowls for the wet ingredients and salad dressing.
- Optinoal to serve with a couple salad dressings.
- Use small spoons and tongs.
- Serve it deconstructed (like photos) or you can chop it.
- Serve a basket with hot crunchy bread and butter! YUM!
- Set out salad plates with forks.
Tips and substitutions:
- Swap out any of the pickled toppings or fresh produce for your favorites—cucumbers, celery, pepperoncinis, or artichoke hearts.
- Croutons and Parmesan cheese would be delicious additions.
- You can set out several salad dressings: Italian dressing, Ceasar dressing, or a light vinaigrette.
- Serve as a side dish or a main dish.
- Toast several kinds of bread, and serve alongside a cheese board for a full meal.
This salad platter is less of a recipe and more of a salad “board” idea. Create and adapt and switch up the flavors according to the season, what’s available at the farmers market or your own garden, and think about different toppings to make the “base” salad more exciting.
You may also want to serve this board with these desserts:
Coffee Affogato With Vanilla Ice Cream
Enjoy!
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Get the Recipe:
Italian Salad Board
Ingredients
- ¾ c marinated mozzarella balls
- ¼ c toasted, sliced almonds
- ¾ c sharp cheddar cubes, or other cheese
- 1 heaping c cherry tomatoes
- 2 buratta balls
- ½ c pitted marinated olives
- ⅓ c Red Pepperazzi Peppers Delallo?
- 3-4 baby bell peppers, chopped
- 1 small head radicchio, torn
- ½ c pickled red onion
- 4 oz sliced salami
- ½ c balsamic Italian dressing
- 2 heads Gem lettuce, or 4 servings greens
- Baguette bread to serve
Instructions
- On the big board, lay down the lettuce leaves and radicchio. Set out 5 small bowls with almonds, burrata (mozzarella) balls, olives, red onion, and dressing.
- Arrange the rest of the ingredients on the board, leaving the bread for last. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
I love my 26” board
Deft need help with recipes for large crowds. Both both books and ready to get started.