Perfect Panzanella Salad (Classic Tuscan Bread Salad)
A vibrant, no‑cook Tuscan bread salad featuring toasted ciabatta cubes, heirloom tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, fresh basil, and a tangy olive oil–vinegar dressing. Easy to make, refreshing, and packed with texture and flavor.
Ingredients
- 6 cups day‑old or toasted ciabatta or rustic sourdough bread cubed (~300 g)
- 4 ripe heirloom or vine tomatoes chopped (~400 g total)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved (~150 g)
- 1 English cucumber peeled (optional), seeded and diced (~150 g)
- ½ small red onion or shallot thinly sliced (~50 g)
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves torn (~15 g)
- ¼ cup extra‑virgin olive oil 60 ml
- 2 –3 tbsp red wine vinegar 30–45 ml
Optional:
- 2 tbsp capers ½ cup mozzarella or feta cubes, olives, peaches, chickpeas
Seasonings:
- salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
Toast the Bread
- Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C).
- Toss bread cubes with 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spread in single layer and toast for 8–15 minutes until golden and crisp. Let cool.
Prep the Tomatoes
- Toss chopped tomatoes with a pinch of salt and drain in a colander for 10–15 minutes, reserving tomato juices.
Make the Vinaigrette
- Whisk reserved tomato juice with remaining olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic or Dijon mustard (optional), salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Chop Vegetables & Herbs
- Dice cucumber, slice red onion, and tear basil leaves by hand for best texture.
Assemble Salad
- In a large bowl, combine cooled bread cubes, vegetables, basil, and any optional add‑ins.
- Drizzle vinaigrette and gently toss to coat evenly without crushing the bread.
Allow to Rest
- Let the salad sit at room temperature for 10–30 minutes before serving so bread absorbs dressing while staying chewy.
Notes
- Variations: Add feta or mozzarella for creaminess; toss in capers, olives, grilled peppers, peaches or chickpeas for flavor twists (Greek‑style, fruity or protein‑boosted).
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Tips:
- Use day‑old or lightly dried bread to avoid sogginess.
- Let tomatoes macerate to concentrate flavor in dressing.
- Resting the salad improves flavor without compromising texture.
- Allergy & Intolerance: Bread contains gluten (use gluten‑free substitute if needed). Dairy optional if adding cheese. Naturally vegetarian and can be vegan if cheese is omitted.
- Taste Adjustment: Add garlic, honey/agave (for sweet acidity), or Dijon mustard to dressing. Increase vinegar or lemon juice for brightness.