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Portillo’s Chopped Salad

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Portillo’s Chopped Salad is a delicious, vibrant dish featuring a mix of fresh vegetables,  cheese, and a tangy dressing. Inspired by the popular Chicago-based restaurant, this salad offers the perfect balance of textures and flavors, making it a crowd-pleasing choice for barbecues, potlucks, or as a light main meal. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, it’s a , cheese, and a tangy dressing. Inspired by the popular Chicago-based restaurant

Ingredients

  • 4 cups Romaine lettuce, chopped

  • 1 cup iceberg lettuce, chopped

  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

  • 1/2 cup cucumber, diced

  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

  • 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

  • 1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, chopped
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (optional, for crunch)

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

  • 1/4 cup olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Prepare the Vegetables:
    In a large bowl, combine the chopped Romaine and iceberg lettuce, halved grape tomatoes, diced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.

  • Add the Toppings:
    Add the shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled blue cheese,  pepperoncini peppers, and sunflower seeds (if using). Toss gently to combine.

  • Make the Dressing:
    In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.

  • Toss the Salad:
    Pour the dressing over the chopped salad and toss well to coat all the ingredients evenly.

  • Serve:
    Serve the salad immediately, or refrigerate it for about 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Notes

Add Protein: For a heartier salad, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or steak to make it a full meal.Swap the Cheeses: If you prefer a different cheese, try using mozzarella, feta, or Parmesan in place of the cheddar and blue cheese.Vegetarian Version: vegetarian-friendly version. You can add chickpeas, avocado, or roasted vegetables for more substance.Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the dressing or directly into the salad for a spicy twist.Nuts and Seeds: Swap sunflower seeds for toasted almonds or pumpkin seeds for a different crunch.