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!

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:20 mins

Servings: 4

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)

Directions

Step 1

Cut the day-old crusty bread into 1-inch cubes and set aside.

Step 2

Core and dice the ripe tomatoes into bite-sized pieces, allowing the juices to collect in a bowl.

Step 3

Peel and slice the cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference.

Step 4

Thinly slice the red onion and soak it in cold water for 10 minutes to reduce its sharpness, then drain.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread, diced tomatoes (along with their juices), cucumber, and red onion.

Step 6

Add the fresh basil leaves, tearing them into smaller pieces by hand.

Step 7

In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the vinaigrette.

Step 8

Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine, making sure the bread absorbs the flavors.

Step 9

If using, add capers for an extra burst of flavor and toss lightly.

Step 10

Allow the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes at room temperature to let the flavors meld.

Step 11

Serve immediately and enjoy a refreshing Italian Bread Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1935.2 grams (1935.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3316

Total Fat 89.70g	115%
Saturated Fat 13.10g	66%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 7759mg	337%
Total Carbohydrate 529.80g	193%
Dietary Fiber 37.30g	133%
Total Sugars 71.00g
Protein 98.30g	197%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1152mg	89%
Iron 40mg	219%
Potassium 2889mg	61%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.3%

Protein: 11.8%

Carbs: 63.8%