Zesty Mediterranean Twist: Ina Garten’s Greek Panzanella Recipe

Summers burst with flavor when you toss together this vibrant Ina Garten Greek panzanella salad that dances between rustic and elegant.

Crusty bread cubes soak up the tangy vinaigrette, mingling with crisp vegetables and salty feta.

Mediterranean sunshine seems to leap from every colorful bite.

Herbs scattered generously add a fresh, aromatic dimension that makes this dish sing.

The robust ingredients create a symphony of textures and tastes that feel both comforting and exciting.

Each forkful promises a delightful journey through Greek-inspired culinary landscapes.

Gather your ingredients and let this recipe transport you to a sun-drenched Greek island.

Tips for Better Ina Garten Greek Panzanella

• Experiment with different artisan bread types like sourdough, ciabatta, or whole wheat for unique texture and flavor profiles in your panzanella.
• Swap feta with crumbled goat cheese, shaved pecorino, or fresh mozzarella to create delightful Mediterranean-inspired twists.
• Incorporate grilled zucchini, roasted eggplant, or fresh corn kernels to add more seasonal vegetables and enhance nutritional value.
• Transform this salad into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken, seared shrimp, or white beans for extra protein and satiety.
• Sprinkle fresh basil, chopped parsley, or oregano leaves just before serving to introduce vibrant, aromatic notes and boost the salad's freshness.

How to Present Ina Garten Greek Panzanella

• Pair with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside grilled chicken, lamb, or fish to create a complete Mediterranean-style meal that enhances the salad's fresh flavors.
• Create a Summer Lunch Spread: Transform this panzanella into a light, refreshing centerpiece for an outdoor lunch with friends, accompanied by chilled white wine or rosé.
• Add Fresh Herbs Before Serving: Sprinkle chopped fresh basil or parsley on top just before serving to boost the salad's aromatic profile and add a vibrant green touch.
• Presentation Tip: Use a large white platter to showcase the colorful vegetables and golden bread cubes, making the dish visually appealing and inviting.

How to Store Ina Garten Greek Panzanella Right

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and toast bread up to 4 hours before serving, keeping ingredients separate to maintain crispness.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days, understanding the bread will soften but flavors will intensify.
• Quick Refresh Trick: Before serving leftover salad, quickly re-crisp bread cubes in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes to restore crunchiness.
• Temperature Matters: Always serve this Greek panzanella at room temperature to maximize the vibrant Mediterranean flavors and ensure optimal texture of vegetables and bread.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients to Grab for Ina Garten Greek Panzanella

• Bread Cubes: Transforms ordinary bread into crunchy, flavor-absorbing croutons that add delightful texture and robust character to the salad.
• Olive Oil: Creates golden, crispy bread pieces with a rich, Mediterranean-inspired essence.

• Cucumber: Adds refreshing crunch and cool hydration to balance the salad's robust flavors.
• Red Bell Pepper: Brings sweet, crisp brightness and vibrant color to the dish.
• Yellow Bell Pepper: Provides sunny, mellow sweetness and additional textural contrast.
• Tomatoes: Releases juicy, tangy essence that merges with other ingredients.
• Red Onion: Delivers sharp, zesty bite and aromatic depth to the salad.

• Feta Cheese: Introduces creamy, salty Greek character with tangy undertones.
• Kalamata Olives: Contributes intense, briny Mediterranean sophistication.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Creates bright, acidic backbone for the vinaigrette.
• Garlic: Infuses robust, pungent undertones throughout the salad.
• Oregano: Sprinkles authentic Greek herbaceous note.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds subtle heat and helps emulsify the vinaigrette.
• Olive Oil: Binds ingredients with smooth, rich Mediterranean essence.
• Salt and Pepper: Elevates and balances overall flavor profile.

Equipment for Ina Garten Greek Panzanella

• Large Sauté Pan: Essential for toasting bread evenly and creating golden crispy croutons.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Perfect for combining and tossing vegetables and salad ingredients.
• Small Bowl: Ideal for whisking vinaigrette ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending vinaigrette and creating a creamy emulsion.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping vegetables and bread.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for precise vegetable and bread cutting.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings.

Make Ina Garten Greek Panzanella in Minutes

• Bread Transformation

Crisp up bread cubes in a sizzling pan with olive oil until they turn golden and crunchy. Let the pieces cool and develop a delightful texture.

• Veggie Symphony

Chop fresh cucumber, vibrant bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, and zesty red onion into beautiful bite-sized pieces. Combine these colorful ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

• Flavor Fusion

Create a tangy vinaigrette by blending red wine vinegar, minced garlic, earthy oregano, and a touch of Dijon mustard. Whisk these ingredients together, slowly incorporating olive oil to create a smooth, silky dressing.

• Salad Composition

Sprinkle toasted bread pieces over the vegetable medley. Add crumbled feta cheese and briny kalamata olives. Gently drizzle the vinaigrette and toss everything together, allowing the flavors to dance and mingle.

• Flavor Infusion

Let the salad rest at room temperature for half an hour. This magical waiting period allows the ingredients to get acquainted and develop a harmonious taste profile.

• Serving

Do a final taste check, adjusting seasoning if needed. Serve the salad at a comfortable temperature and enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece.

Vibrant Ina Garten Greek Panzanella Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Greek panzanella salad celebrates Mediterranean flavors with crusty bread cubes, crisp vegetables, and tangy feta. Succulent ingredients blend perfectly, offering a delightful culinary journey you can easily recreate at home.

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Ingredients

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• 6 cups (1-inch) diced rustic bread
• ½ pound (226 grams) good feta cheese, ¾-inch-diced
• 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and sliced ½ inch thick
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and large-diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and large-diced
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced in half-rounds
• ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters/6 fl oz) good olive oil, divided
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters/2 fl oz) good red wine vinegar
• 2 tsps minced garlic (2 cloves)
• 1 tsp dried oregano, crushed
• ½ tsp Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Crouton Creation: Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-low temperature. Add bread cubes, seasoning with salt and pepper. Toss frequently, toasting until golden and crisp, approximately 5-7 minutes. Transfer croutons to a plate and reserve.
2. Vegetable Preparation: Dice cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, tomatoes, and thinly slice red onion in a spacious mixing bowl. Ensure uniform chopping for consistent texture and visual presentation.
3. Vinaigrette Composition: Whisk red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Gradually stream olive oil while whisking to create a smooth, emulsified dressing.
4. Salad Assembly: Combine golden croutons, feta cheese, and kalamata olives with prepared vegetables. Drizzle vinaigrette over ingredients, gently tossing to coat without damaging delicate components.
5. Flavor Melding: Let salad rest at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, allowing ingredients to absorb dressing and develop a complex flavor profile. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary before serving at ambient temperature.

Notes

• Bread Selection Matters: Use day-old or slightly stale bread for superior crouton texture, preventing soggy results and ensuring maximum crispiness.
• Crouton Technique: Toast bread cubes on low-medium heat, stirring frequently to achieve uniform golden color without burning, which guarantees perfect crunch.
• Vinaigrette Emulsion Secret: Whisk oil gradually into vinegar mixture, creating a smooth, well-blended dressing that coats ingredients evenly without separating.
• Flavor Melding Timing: Let salad rest 20-30 minutes at room temperature, allowing ingredients to absorb dressing and develop deeper, more complex Mediterranean-inspired taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg