Gluten-free balsamic panzanella salad is bursting with vine-ripened tomatoes, red onions, basil, spinach and grilled GF bread with a balsamic vinaigrette.
Farmer's Market Finds
The farmer's markets are now filled with loads with sun kissed vine ripened tomatoes and fragrant basil. Don't miss your opportunity to enjoy the late summer harvest with one of our favorite salads; a gluten-free balsamic panzanella salad.
The tomato plants smell fragrant, sweet, zesty and are tantalizing to the nose. My favorite way to eat vine ripened tomatoes are straight fresh from the garden. Tomatoes are best eaten while they are still warmed by the sun. What do you think? How about you? Just bring some napkins along because that juice is sure to run down your chin and arms....
You are just going to love this gluten-free balsamic panzanella salad as it is vegan, budget friendly and cardiac friendly. This recipe was originally posted on August 19, 2012 but has updated to make it gluten-free and dairy free.
What is Panzanella?
Panzanella is a rustic Tuscan salad. This Italian peasant dish was developed many years ago. Country folk used to soak their old stale bread in water and mix it with vegetables from the garden to save pennies. Nothing is ever left to waste.
If you or your family has wheat sensitivities, you can use gluten-free white bread. Please go ahead and use "real" hearty Tuscan bread with a crusty exterior, if wheat does not bother you. Toasting or grilling the bread and not adding the bread until the very last minute, keeps the bread crunchy. The crunchy bread is a great contrast with the juicy tomatoes, crisp onions and fresh spinach.
There are many versions of Panzanella salad. Some people like to add olives, artichokes, cucumbers, beans, cheese or even grilled chicken to their panzanella salad. However, this gluten-free balsamic panzanella salad recipe is a classic version with just a handful of ingredients.
Secret to a good Gluten-Free Balsamic Panzanella Salad
Allow the tomatoes and onions time to marinate in the balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The tomatoes create their own delicious sauce and the onions change from pungent to sweet.
More Delicious Salads
Tutti Fruitti Kale Salad and Citrus Honey Dressing
Heirloom Tomato Cucumber Salad
Seared Steak Salad with Strawberry Cucumber Dressing
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Gluten-Free Balsamic Panzanella Salad
Ingredients
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup olive oil
( and a little extra to drizzle on the bread before grilling) - 1 teaspoon Italian herb seasoning
dried - salt and pepper to taste
- 5 tomatoes chopped heirloom or vine ripened
- 1 small onion red ( chopped into thin half moon slices)
- 3 cloves garlic
(2 finely minced and 1 cut in half to season the bread) - 8 slices bread
gluten free white (or if no gluten allergies then use a rustic Tuscan white bread) - ½ cup fresh basil
roughly chopped - 4 cups spinach chopped fresh or baby spinach
Instructions
- Step 1:Prepare your simple balsamic vinaigrette. Add balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper and Italian seasoning in a jar, cover with lid and shake until well incorporated.
- Place chopped tomatoes, red onion, 2 cloves finely chopped garlic, salt and pepper to taste and ½ of the balsamic vinaigrette in a large bowl. Marinate the tomatoes for at least 1 hour at room temperature.
- Brush both sides of the crusty gluten-free bread with olive oil and then brush the garlic over the oil.
- Grill the gluten-free bread for 3-5 minutes until slightly golden and has grill marks. Remove and set aside. (or you can even put in the toaster or bake in the oven)
- Cut bread into cubes set aside. Add the fresh basil and fresh spinach to the marinated tomatoes, toss to coat well. Add the grilled cubed gluten-free bread and toss. Salt and pepper to taste. Add more balsamic vinaigrette dressing as desired or reserve balsamic vinaigrette in refrigerator for your next salad.
- Enjoy this vegan gluten free balsamic panzanella salad alone or with any grilled meats or fish.
Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient says
What a salad! Love how balanced every bite is and of course Farmer's market tomatoes have my mouth watering!
Jas @All that's Jas says
I grew up eating this salad, minus the bread. It is still my favorite and go to salad especially when my garden has abundance of tomatoes. Great photos, Bobbi, they make my mouth water 🙂
Bernice says
This is a wonderful salad and I love how you added rosemary bread - which I adore!
Hannah (BitterSweet) says
This salad is so beautiful! Oh, I can't wait until heirloom tomatoes flood the marketplace again... Summer can not come soon enough!
petit4chocolatier says
Wow! I am thinking of salad today and found this explosive tomato one that I definitely need to try. Looks delicious!
Healthy World Cuisine says
This is a really easy recipe and is a big crowd pleaser and is very satisfying it could double as a main. However, it is best if you find homegrown fresh tomatoes as winter's selection is not always the best. Take care, BAM
petit4chocolatier says
I actually made this today with steak. It was a little different than your original recipe and with supermarket tomatoes. But it was still delicious!! Thank you for the recipe and inspiration 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
Super! A great accompaniment to steak. I am glad your family enjoyed it. Have a super day! BAM
theglobalgarnishgeek says
Found a reference to your blog on Bartolini Kitchens. I'm intrigued.
Bluejellybeans says
It looks delicious! Can't wait to try it at home 🙂
canalcook says
Those tomatoes look amazing, and the panzanella looks so tasty!
Healthy World Cuisine says
A great celebration of the end of the summer heirloom harvest. I miss Michigan already!! Take care, BAM
ekwee says
Wow, gorgeous blog and gorgeous photos!! If I could easily find heirloom tomatoes, I would be making this recipe in no time flat 🙂
allyoudoiseat says
Gorgeous! I love your blog - all your recipes are amazing!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks so much for stopping by. Looking forward to keeping in touch. Bobbi
Carolyn Chan says
LOOK AT THOSE TOMATOES! They look amazing! I can imagine how delicious they would be and in a panzanella they would really shine.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Carolyn. I am missing home already and the taste of sweet and delicious heirloom tomatoes. Take care, BAM
Lilly Sue says
Those tomatoes look awesome!! 🙂
Healthy World Cuisine says
I think this salad would taste great with a one of your great brew suggestion. Which one do you suggest to pair it with? A perfect summer....
Lilly Sue says
I'm thinking a summer ale...something with a little flavor but not too much so it doesn't take away from the light summer meal. I enjoy the Deschutes Summer Ale. The Uinta Kolsch style beer might also go well...it has a little bit of a nutty flavor (not too hoppy at all or overpowering flavor).
Healthy World Cuisine says
Lilly Sue, We can always depend on you for the perfect pairing of brew and food. Thanks so much. Sounds like the perfect ending to a summer. Take care, BAM
wok with ray says
My goodness, Bam I can't get over how robust and healthy those homegrown tomatoes are. Salad looks wonderful.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thank you Ray. I have never seen a tomato like this anywhere in Asia. I guess I will just have to visit home more often. I hope you are doing well. Take Care, BAM
bitsandbreadcrumbs says
What gorgeous tomatoes...I'm jealous. I love panzanella and am bookmarking this so I will remember to try making it...such a great meal in a dish! Glad you're enjoying your time in the States.
Healthy World Cuisine says
Ahh it so nice to finally see your bright and beautiful face! It is a one meal dish and if you add the asiago cheese you are good to go. Take Care, BAM
bitsandbreadcrumbs says
🙂
Korena in the Kitchen says
Those tomatoes are gorgeous!!
Healthy World Cuisine says
Thanks Korena. Taste even better than they look.