This quick and easy chopped salad is a wonderful weeknight dinner but also company-worthy for its beautiful presentation.

Lots of recipes could be considered chopped saladthey are made with chopped vegetables and tossed in a great dressing.

Acucumber saladcomes to mind.

Southern Living Chopped Salad prepared on a platter to serve

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

But this chopped salad is one that’s meant for primetime.

The creamy buttermilk dressing brings everything together with toasty pecans adding some wonderful nuttiness and crunch.

And the best part?

Southern Living Chopped Salad ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

What Is a Chopped Salad?

A chopped salad is any salad made up of chopped vegetables and toppings.

Variations of a chopped salad might skew toward Italian flavors or Mediterranean ones.

Southern Living Chopped Salad buttermilk dressing ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

They’re all good, of course, but we just like our Southern version better.

Why Is It Called Chopped Salad?

Here’s a brief outline of the process, and the entire recipe is further below.

Southern Living Chopped Salad whisking together the dressing

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Can You Make This Chopped Salad Ahead of Time?

This chopped salad can be prepared several hours ahead of time if you do not incorporate the dressing.

So you don’t need to add anything else.

Southern Living Chopped Salad combining the lettuce, corn, blue cheese, and dressing in a bowl

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

However, you could change out the ham forgrilled chickenorgrilled salmonfor a more protein-forward meal.

Serve with a wedge of fresh bread orcornbreadto finish off the plate.

hearts)

1can (15 oz.

Southern Living Chopped Salad tossing the lettuce with the corn and dressing

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

halvedgrape tomatoes

1cupchoppedEnglish cucumber(from 1 [14-oz.]

Drizzle with 1/2 cup of the Buttermilk Dressing.

Toss lettuce:

Use tongs to toss until well coated.

Southern Living Chopped Salad topping the lettuce mixture with the other toppings

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Transfer mixture to a platter.

Serve:

Serve with remaining Buttermilk Dressing on the side.

Southern Living Chopped Salad assembled on a platter ready to serve with dressing

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox