This summer panzanella is a twist on a the classic italian bread salad is filled with fresh and delicious summer flavors. Sourdough bread is mixed with juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and sliced red onion, then dressed with a simple vinaigrette.
This post was originally published in August 2020 and has been updated for content.
This summer panzanella is inspired by one of my husband's family favorites. His grandmother makes an irresistible tomato salad that the entire family loves. Everyone fights over the juices at the bottom because they are the best to dip a piece of crusty bread into.
This variation combines all of those delicious flavors while paying tribute to the traditional italian panzanella recipe. Serve this summer panzanella salad with grilled italian steaks, beef braciole or even a nice plate of homemade spinach fettuccine!
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🇮🇹 Origin
Authentic panzanella originated in Italy and is comprised of dried or stale bread cubes that are mixed with tomatoes, onions and sometimes other vegetables. They are usually tossed with oil and vinegar and then the bread soaks up all of those delicious flavors.
🥖 Ingredients notes
- Bread - I love using crusty sourdough bread for both flavor and texture in this summer panzanella. I highly recommend using either a crusty artisan or Italian bread. Either way, make sure it's a bit stale or dry so that it easily soaks up the dressing.
- Tomatoes - Any store-bought or garden tomatoes can be used for this summer panzanella recipe. Grape or cherry tomatoes should be cut in half so that juices can run out and mix with the vinaigrette. For larger tomatoes, simply cut them into pieces that are the size of the bread and cheese.
- Mozzarella - Mozzarella pearls or ciliegine balls are smaller sized pieces of mozzarella that work great for this summer panzanella recipe. A larger log or ball of fresh mozzarella can also be used and cut into smaller pieces that are the same size as the tomatoes and bread.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Dairy Free/Vegan - To make this summer panzanella dairy-free or vegan, simply omit the cheese and ensure that the bread you use does not contain dairy and/or animal products such as eggs.
- Extra Vegetables - Pepperoncini peppers, roasted red peppers, fresh bell peppers, or cucumbers could be added to this summer panzanella recipe if desired.
- Fresh Herbs - Fresh oregano or basil could be added for extra flavor.
🔪 Step by step instructions
First, cut the bread and tomatoes into similar sized pieces and combine in a large mixing bowl, then toss to combine.
Next, add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in a mason jar and shake to combine. Pour the dressing over the bread mixture and toss to combine.
Serve the summer panzanella salad immediately or let it set in the fridge for an hour or two to give the flavors time to meld together.
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⭐ Expert tips
- If your bread is fresh and not stale you can dry it out by cutting it into cubes and allowing it to set out for a few hours or overnight. You can also place the cubes on a sheet pan and bake in the oven at 350˚ for 5-10 minutes to help dry them out.
- Check your local bakery or grocery store for stale or day old bread; sometimes they sell it at a discount.
- To really let the flavors meld together in this summer panzanella salad, let it sit in the fridge for an hour or two before serving.
💭 Frequently asked questions
Summer panzanella is best made an hour or two before serving. Past a few hours, the vinaigrette and juices from the onions and tomatoes will start to break down the bread and get progressively mushy.
You can make this summer panzanella with croutons, however I recommend using ones with the least amount of seasoning or no seasoning at all. Most of the time store bought croutons already contain quite a bit of seasoning along with butter or oil. This will not only effect the flavor of the salad but also how well the vinaigrette is absorbed into the bread. It's best to find or make croutons that are just pieces of dried bread and not pre-seasoned.
🥗 More salad recipes
If you loved this recipe for summer panzanella, check out these other Italian inspired recipes that I know you will love too!
📖 Recipe
Summer Panzanella {Italian Bread Salad}
Ingredients
- 1 pound stale sourdough bread
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese pearls or ciliegine balls
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
- ¼ medium red onion
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning (affiliate link)
- ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cut loaf of bread into 1 inch cubes, halve the tomatoes and slice the red onion thinly.
- Combine bread, tomatoes, cheese and onions in a large mixing bowl (affiliate link) and toss to combine.
- In a mason jar or small container with a lid, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Shake vigorously to combine.
- Pour vinaigrette dressing over bread mixture and toss with a large serving spoon to make sure everything is evenly coated in the dressing.
Notes
- Bread - If stale bread is unavailable, fresh bread can be cut in cubes and left out to dry for a few hours or overnight to become stale. It can also be cut in cubes and laid on a sheet pan and baked at 350˚ for 5-10 minutes to help to dry it out.
- Tomatoes - Larger tomatoes may be used and cut into smaller pieces the size of the bread and cheese.
- Cheese - If pearls or smaller sized mozzarella balls are unavailable, a larger ball or log of fresh mozzarella can be cut into smaller pieces similar in size to the tomatoes and bread.
- Make Ahead - This salad is best made 1-2 hours prior to serving to allow the flavors to meld together. After a few hours the juices and dressing will start to break down the bread and progressively become mushy.
Substitutions and Variations
- Dairy Free/Vegan - To make this recipe dairy free or vegan, simply omit the cheese and ensure that the bread you use does not contain dairy and/or animal products such as eggs.
- Extra Vegetables - Pepperoncini peppers, roasted red peppers, fresh bell peppers, or cucumbers could be added to this recipe if desired
- Fresh Herbs - Fresh oregano or basil could be added for extra flavor
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