Name: 25 Minute Brioche Panzanella Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 slices brioche bread, cubed; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 3 large tomatoes, large dice; 3 persian cucumbers, diced; 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced; 10 basil leaves, roughly chopped; 5 mint leaves, roughly chopped; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 3 tablespoons olive oil

This Italian-inspired Brioche Panzanella Salad features crisp veggies, fragrant herbs, and chunks of buttery brioche bread that are toasted to perfection! Best of all, it comes together in just 25 minutes, making it the perfect choice for a quick and satisfying meal that’s both healthy and delicious!

Panzanella is a traditional Italian salad that typically features chunks of day-old bread, fresh veggies, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. Usually Panzanella calls for a crustier bread like these homemade croutons. But in this recipe, we’ve added cubes of buttery brioche bread for an extra indulgent twist!

Brioche bread is a rich and buttery type of bread from France. It’s made with eggs and butter, which gives it a soft and tender crumb and a slightly sweet flavor. Because of its rich flavor and texture, brioche is a great bread to use in a salad like this. When it’s toasted and tossed with fresh veggies and a tangy dressing, it creates a delicious contrast of flavors and textures that’s simply irresistible.

This salad includes juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and thinly sliced red onions, all tossed together with fresh herbs like basil and mint. The dressing is a simple mixture of red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, and olive oil, which gives the salad a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that brings everything together!

But the best part about this salad? You don’t have to be an experienced home chef to make it! With just a few simple ingredients and some easy techniques, anyone can whip up a beautiful and delicious Panzanella salad in just 25 minutes. So whether you’re looking for a quick and easy lunch or a refreshing side dish for your next summer barbecue, this brioche panzanella salad will hit the spot!

If you enjoy this salad, be sure to check out my Summer Fattoush Salad, Massaged Kale Salad, or my 10 Minute Caesar Salad that everyone goes crazy for!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Brioche Panzanella salad is the perfect combination of fresh, flavorful veggies and indulgent, buttery brioche bread. It’s the ultimate spring or summer salad!
The salad comes together in just 25 minutes, making it the perfect option for busy weeknights or last-minute get-togethers.
The tangy vinaigrette dressing and fragrant herbs give this salad a bright, refreshing flavor that’s perfect for hot summer days.
With juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and thinly sliced red onions, this salad is loaded with fresh, healthy ingredients that are sure to make you feel good about what you’re eating!

Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients in separate bowls like tomatoes, cubed bread, cucumber and red onion

For the croutons:

Cubed Brioche Bread – This French bread is buttery, fluffy, and a great way to add contrast to the fresh salad. I love the St. Pierre Brand.
Olive Oil – Helps crisp up the bread in the oven, making it into the perfect croutons.
Salt & Pepper – Seasons the bread to enhance its flavor.

For the salad:

Garden Vegetables – Tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, red onion all give the salad a fresh crunch, texture, and garden taste.
Herbs – Fresh basil and mint leaves adds a fresh herb flavor to balance out the ingredients.

Dressing:

Red Wine Vinegar – Gives the dressing a tangy red wine kick that adds acidity.
Dijon Mustard – Emulsifies the dressing and adds a deep flavor to the base of the dressing.
Salt & Pepper – Balances and enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Olive Oil – Makes up the oil base of the dressing providing volume and helps all of the ingredients blend together properly.

How To Make Brioche Panzanella Salad

diced brioche bread on a sheet pan — Add cubed bread to a sheet pan.

cucumber and red onion in a white bowl — Place your veggies into a large bowl

tomatoes, cucumber and red onion in a bowl — Add tomatoes

salad dressing in a bowl with a whisk — Whisk ingredients together for dressing

croutons on a sheet pan — Remove golden croutons from the oven

tomatoes, cucumber, red onion and croutons in a bowl — Toss with a little bit of dressing

Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Get a sheet pan out for the croutons.

Make the croutons: Dice the brioche bread, then add it to the sheet pan along with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to fully coat the bread cubes in the seasoning and oil. Bake the croutons for 10-15 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Prepare the vegetables: Dice the tomatoes and slice the cucumber and red onion. Roughly chop the basil and mint, then add them to a large bowl.

Make the dressing: Measure the ingredients for the dressing, then add them to a small bowl. Whisk to fully combine.

Assemble the salad: Pour about half of the dressing over the salad and toss. Right before serving, add the cooled croutons. Add a bit more dressing if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

For best results, use day-old brioche bread for the croutons. This will allow the bread to dry out slightly, making it easier to toast and creating a crispier texture.
When making the croutons, be sure to toss the bread cubes well with the olive oil, salt, and pepper to ensure that each piece is evenly coated. This will help the croutons to brown and crisp up evenly in the oven.
To prevent the salad from getting soggy, be sure to add the croutons just before serving. This will ensure that the croutons stay crispy and don’t absorb too much moisture from the vegetables and dressing.
To save time, you can chop the vegetables and make the dressing ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the salad.

Variations

For a different twist on this classic salad, try swapping out the brioche for another type of bread, such as sourdough, ciabatta, or focaccia. Each type of bread will offer a unique flavor and texture to the dish.
To add some protein to the salad, add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. These protein options will pair well with the tangy dressing and fresh vegetables and will make the salad more filling and satisfying.
For a more Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile, add some kalamata olives, feta cheese, and chopped roasted red peppers to the salad.
If you prefer a milder flavor in the salad, omit the red onion from the recipe or use a sweet onion or shallot instead. You can also use a milder vinegar, such as apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, in place of the red wine vinegar.
Add some crispy bacon bits or prosciutto crumbles to the top of the salad. The salty, smoky flavor of the bacon or prosciutto will add an indulgent touch to the dish.

Storing & Freezing

This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the croutons separate from the salad to prevent them from getting soggy. Dress the salad just before serving to maintain its freshness and crunch.

Freezing is not recommended as the vegetables will lose their structure and become very soggy.

FAQ

What does Panzanella mean?

Panzanella is an Italian bread salad made from stale bread, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. The name “Panzanella” comes from two Italian words: “pane,” which means bread, and “zanella,” which refers to the deep wooden bowl used to serve the salad.

Can I use another type of dressing instead?

Yes! You can swap out the vinaigrette for another dressing, such as a creamy Caesar, balsamic vinaigrette, or ranch for a different twist.

Can I make the croutons ahead of time?

Yes! The croutons can be made and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days before adding them to the salad. When you’re ready to use them, reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 5-10 minutes until they are golden brown. Enjoy!

More Fresh Side Dish Recipes