Authentic Tuscan Panzanella Salad
A refreshing Italian salad featuring crusty bread, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil, dressed with a zesty olive oil vinaigrette. This italian-inspired salads (vegetarian, gluten-free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (about 12 oz) Day-old rustic bread, medium (about 600g) Ripe tomatoes, medium (about 50g) Red onion into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 slices (about 12 oz) Day-old rustic bread
- 3 medium (about 600g) Ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 medium (about 50g) Red onion
- 1/4 cup (packed) Fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup (about 60g) Kalamata olives
- 3 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Tear bread into 1-inch cubes and spread on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, season with 1/2 tsp salt, and toast for 15-20 minutes until crisp and golden.
- Step 2: Dice tomatoes into 1/2-inch cubes. Finely slice red onion and mince basil leaves. In a large bowl, combine bread, tomatoes, onion, basil, and olives.
- Step 3: In a small jar, whisk together remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, red wine vinegar, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and black pepper. Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Tuscan Panzanella Salad take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Authentic Tuscan Panzanella Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium (about 50g) red onion from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Tuscan Panzanella Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Tuscan Panzanella Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Authentic Tuscan Panzanella Salad vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 20-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
