I stumbled upon this humble masterpiece for the first time during a trip to New York, and it was love at first bite. Yep, to say that the Cosi Signature Salad is my latest obsession is an understatement. It’s not just delicious; it’s also packed with simple ingredients, making it the ultimate guilt-free indulgence.
It’s the perfect light meal for lunch or dinner, and it’s quick and easy, too! This is one of my go-to orders whenever I’m in the mood for a quick lunch.
At Cosi, their signature salad is a delicious combination of salad greens, red grapes, pears, dried cranberries, shelled pistachios, and gorgonzola cheese. The sherry shallot vinaigrette dressing is the pièce de résistance! It ties all the flavors together perfectly.
But what do you do when you don’t have a Cosi restaurant in Australia? Luckily, I have recreated an easy copycat recipe; see the detailed instructions in the recipe card below. This recipe lets you make your version of my favorite salad at home. As a restful Mother’s Day treat, I like to make this salad for my family, and they love it too!
Cosi Signature Salad Ingredients
When it comes to making a delicious salad, it’s all about the ingredients. The Cosi Signature Salad is no exception. Here are the key ingredients that make this salad so tasty:
Greens and Fruits
The Cosi’s awesome house salad starts with a bed of mixed greens. These fresh salad greens provide the perfect base for the other ingredients. The salad also includes red grapes, pears, apples, and cranberries. The grapes add a burst of sweetness, while the pears and apples provide a juicy crunch. The cranberries add a tartness that balances out the sweetness of the other fruits.
Proteins and Cheese
To add some protein to the salad, I included chicken breast. This is a great option if you want to make the salad more filling. The salad also uses blue cheese like gorgonzola cheese, which is a flavorful cheese that adds a tangy kick to the salad. If you are like me and prefer a milder cheese, you can substitute the gorgonzola with a salty feta cheese.
Nuts and Extras
Pistachios are the perfect nut to include in this salad. They add a satisfying crunch and a nutty flavor that complements the other ingredients. In addition to the main ingredients, you can also add some extra toppings to the salad. For example, you can include hard-boiled eggs, red onions, kalamata olives, fresh mozzarella, or crispy apple rings or slices. These toppings add extra flavor and texture to the salad.
The Cosi Signature Salad recipe is a delicious and flavorful option for any meal. With a mix of sweet and savory flavors and a variety of textures, this salad is sure to satisfy your cravings.
What you’ll need
Preparing the Salad and Dressing
Assembling the Copycat Cosi Signature Salad
When it comes to making the Cosi Signature Salad, the ingredients are key. These ingredients are readily available at your local grocery store and are pantry staples. Here’s what you’ll need to assemble the salad:
- Mixed greens (arugula, spinach, or lettuce)
- Red grapes, sliced in half
- Pears, peeled, cored, and diced
- Apple cored and sliced
- Dried cranberries
- Shelled, unsalted pistachios
- Gorgonzola cheese but I prefer to use Feta cheese
- Kalamata olives (optional)
- Shredded chicken breast (optional)
To assemble the salad, start by washing and drying the greens. In a large bowl, add the grapes, pears, cranberries, pistachios, and Gorgonzola cheese or feta to the greens. Toss everything together until it’s evenly distributed.
Making the Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette
The Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette is what makes the Cosi Signature Salad stand out. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- 1 shallot, finely minced
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh lemon juice (optional)
To make the dressing, combine the minced shallots or sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you prefer a tangier dressing, you can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Once the dressing is made, you can either toss it with the salad immediately or serve it on the side. Either way, this Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette is sure to elevate any salad.
Copycat Cosi Signature Salad
Equipment
- Salad spinner - optional
- Salad serving bowl
- Whisk or jar with lid (for dressing)
Ingredients
For the salad
- 1 large bag mixed salad greens - such as spinach, arugula, and romaine
- 2 cups cooked chicken breasts - shredded
- ½ cup red grapes - halved
- ¼ cup shelled pistachios
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese or gorgonzola cheese
- 1 pear cored - and chopped
- 1 small crispy apple - thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
- ⅓ large shallot - minced
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- Squeeze of lemon - optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Salad Ingredients
- Rinse the mixed salad greens thoroughly and spin them dry using a salad spinner, or pat them dry with paper towels.
- Arrange the mixed greens in a large salad serving bowl.
Step 2: Add Additional Ingredients
- Layer the shredded chicken breast, red onions, crumbled feta cheese, pears and thinly sliced crispy apple over the mixed greens.
Step 3: Make the Vinaigrette Dressing
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced shallots, and garlic and whisk until thoroughly combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Dress the Salad
- Drizzle the vinaigrette dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Gently toss the salad to evenly coat the ingredients with the dressing.
- Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste, if desired.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve the Copycat Cosi Signature Salad immediately as a refreshing appetizer or as a side dish to accompany your favorite main course.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed and personalised calculations.
