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    Home > Recipes > Salad

    Panzanella Bread Salad with Feta and Basil

    Published: Jul 12, 2021 · Modified: Mar 12, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · Leave a Comment · This post may contain affiliate links.

    mediterranean bread salad
    panzanella bread salad
    panzanella bread salad

    bread salad in a large white bowl

    Fresh and flavorful, few dishes celebrate the flavors of summer like the bread salad known as Panzanella. This version includes a simple dressing made with sun-dried tomatoes for extra tomato flavor and cucumbers, feta, and basil for added flavor and texture. 

    Summer is here and our small garden is finally starting to churn out cucumbers and herbs and the occasional summer squash. No tomatoes yet, but I’m finding great ones at the farmers market. And great summer produce means it’s time for a great summer salad - Panzanella. If you want all those delicious summer flavors in a fresh, hearty salad, this one's for you. 

    bread salad in a large white bowl

    What is Panzanella?

    Panzanella is an Italian salad made from sturdy bread cubes and fresh tomatoes. The bread soaks up the juices from the tomatoes resulting in a hearty salad that is full of summer flavor. 

    While the basic salad is just bread and tomatoes, it is a perfect blank slate for adding your other favorite summer ingredients.

    ingredients for panzanella

    When to Serve Panzanella

    Panzanella is best served in late summer when tomatoes are in season and the most flavorful. It’s great as a lunch on its own - add in some white beans or top it with a poached egg. Or serve it as a dinner side dish with grilled meat or fish. 

    Toasted vs. Day Old Bread

    Panzanella is traditionally made with day-old (stale) bread, but this recipe calls for toasting bread cubes to give them a similar sturdy texture that soaks up the flavor of the vinaigrette. The toasting step also adds flavor to the salad.

    Dressing for Panzanella

    Bread salad like panzanella does not need a dressing. Fresh in-season tomatoes will release enough juice to soak and flavor the bread cubes. However, this version of the salad includes a rich, flavorful dressing made with sun-dried tomato and fresh basil to highlight the summer flavors of the salad. 

    pouring dressing into a small glass bowl

    More Summer Salads

    • Lemony Potato Salad with Fresh Herbs
    • Balsamic Chicken Salad with Fresh Berries and Feta
    • Watermelon, Feta and Arugula Salad
    • Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Bacon, Corn and Avocado Salad
    • Instant Pot Italian Pasta Salad
    • BBQ Chicken Salad
    • Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam)
    • Nectarine, Arugula and Crispy Pancetta Summer Salad
    • Instant Pot Italian Pasta Salad
    • Creamy and Tangy Coleslaw

    Favorite Tools

    • Half Sheet Pan
    • Anchor 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls
    • Immersion or Standing Blender
    • Salad Bowl
    • Salad Tongs
    bread salad in a large white bowl
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Panzanella Salad with Feta and Fresh Basil

    Fresh and flavorful, few dishes celebrate the flavors of summer like the bread salad known as Panzanella. This version includes a simple dressing made with sun-dried tomatoes for extra tomato flavor.
    Prep Time25 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Salad
    Keyword: bbq side dish, easy salad recipe, easy side dish, potluck recipe, summer, summer salad
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 507kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $6.00

    Equipment

    • Half Sheet Pan
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Standing or Immersion Blender

    Ingredients

    For the Salad:

    • 12 oz Good-Quality Bread, 1-inch cubes (Ciabatta or Sourdough work well here - look for a bakery-style loaf of bread)
    • 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 1 ½ lbs Tomatoes, chopped (use heirloom or locally-grown tomatoes if available)
    • 1 8 oz Cucumber, chopped
    • ½ cup thinly sliced Red Onion
    • 4 oz Feta Cheese, crumbled
    • 10 leaves Basil, chopped, plus more for garnish

    Tomato-Basil Dressing:

    • 3 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 1 tablespoon Red Wine Vinegar
    • 2 teaspoon Lemon Juice
    • 1 small Sun-dried Tomato (from a jar of sun-dried tomatoes in oil)
    • 1 ½ teaspoon Honey

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F / 177°C.
    • Toss bread cubes with 2 Tablespoons olive oil and spread out on a large sheet pan (use two if needed). Season bread with some salt and pepper.
    • Bake bread until golden and very crisp, shaking the pan or flipping the bread with a spatula halfway through cooking, about 15 minutes total.
    • While bread toasts, combine all ingredients for the dressing and blend with an immersion blender or standing blender until smooth. Set aside.
    • Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl, including toasted bread.
    • Slowly add dressing to salad while tossing everything together to combine.
    • Serve immediately. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 507kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 1004mg | Potassium: 548mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 391IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 5mg

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Related

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    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

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