The Iconic Beverly Hills Salad Everyone's Obsessed With!
The La Scala Chopped Salad isn’t just a salad — it’s a Hollywood legend. Created by the late Jean Leon at his upscale Beverly Hills restaurant La Scala, this salad has become a staple among celebrities and food lovers for decades. What makes it so special? It’s finely chopped, perfectly dressed, and loaded with savory Italian meats, crisp lettuce, and nutty cheese.
It’s simple, elegant, and unexpectedly addictive. With every bite, you get a perfect forkful — no more chasing cherry tomatoes around your plate! And now, you can make this iconic salad right at home.
🥗 Why You'll Love This Salad
- Celebrity-loved and restaurant-famous
- Perfectly balanced with crunch, salt, and tang
- Packed with protein — great for lunch or dinner
- Easy to customize with what you have on hand
- No cooking required — just chop, mix, and serve!
🧺 Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Salad:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, finely chopped
- 1 cup iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
- ½ cup chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
- ½ cup salami, finely chopped
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded or finely diced (traditionally, provolone is also used)
- Optional: ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini, or red onion for extra flavor
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 garlic clove, minced for added punch
🥣 Instructions
- Make the Dressing
In a jar or small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Add garlic if using. - Chop Everything Finely
Finely chop the romaine and iceberg lettuce. Dice or shred the salami and mozzarella cheese into small pieces so everything is about the same size — this is key to the “chopped” texture! - Toss the Salad
In a large bowl, combine the lettuces, chickpeas, salami, mozzarella, and Parmesan (if using). Pour the dressing over the top and toss until everything is well coated. - Serve and Enjoy
Serve immediately as a main dish or side. This salad doesn’t keep well once dressed, so only dress what you plan to eat right away.
✅ Tips & Variations
- Use provolone or fontina cheese for a more traditional Italian flair.
- Swap turkey or chicken for a lighter protein option.
- Add chopped pepperoncini or Kalamata olives for brininess.
- For low-carb: skip chickpeas and sub in diced avocado or cucumber.
- Add a handful of arugula for a peppery bite.
🧾 Nutrition Info (Per Serving – Approx. 4 servings)
- Calories: 390
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 750mg
Note: This will vary based on the type and amount of cheese or meat used.
💌 From Me to Your Site
The La Scala Chopped Salad is more than a salad — it’s part of culinary pop culture. It’s what Hollywood stars are eating for lunch, but it’s also an incredibly smart, flavorful, and balanced meal you can recreate in your own kitchen with just a few ingredients. I love this salad because it proves that something simple, when done well, can become iconic.
Serve it for lunch, pair it with grilled chicken for dinner, or take it to your next potluck and watch it disappear.
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