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    Home » Soups + Salads

    Copycat Cosi Signature Salad with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette

    Published on Jan 18, 2020 · Modified on Sep 10, 2020 by Kathryn - Leave a comment · 18 Comments

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    This Copycat Cosi Signature Salad is made of mixed greens, grapes, pears, gorgonzola cheese, pistachios, and dried cranberries all tossed in the most delicious sherry shallot vinaigrette. Add some protein or keep it simple -- it's delicious and healthy any way you eat it.

    cosi signature salad in two bowls with a bowl of cut pears and grapes

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    I get on these major salad kicks, where I find a salad that I love and want eat it on repeat until I can't stand to look at it. Let's be real though...salads at restaurants are expensive.

    That's why I've been starting to make way more salads at home. The only hard part is mastering the dressings because that's what makes a salad delicious in the first place, but damn! I'm so pleased with the result of this sherry shallot vinaigrette imitating the signature salad from Cosi.

    This Copycat Cosi Signature Salad is delightfully easy to throw together and I just can't rave enough about this sherry shallot vinaigrette. The salad can last you for several meals (especially adding some simple chicken breasts to the salad like I've done here) or it'd be great for a gathering (you just will likely need to double it depending on the number of people you're having over).

    What is a Cosi Signature Salad?

    My friends back home have likely never heard of Cosi before, so allow me to explain. Cosi is a fast sandwich/soup/salad spot up here -- similar to a Potbelly. They have a salad called their signature salad that I was obsessed with (but unfortunately they closed down their Bethesda location). John would always order the TBM (tomato, basil, and mozzarella) sandwich while I'd get the signature salad (obvi).

    When I was pregnant with C I craved this salad like no other. It was one of the first things I had after popping C out, in fact. The salad has basic ingredients (which I'll go into below). Nothing special. But the sherry shallot vinaigrette is just so delicious I don't even have the words to describe it. It's sweet, tangy, and full of flavor.

    two bowls of copycat cosi signature salad with a bowl of apples and pears nearby

    The secret ingredient: Sherry vinegar

    Let me tell you upfront that sherry vinegar can be hard to find at some grocery stores. At our local Giant, there are about a thousand different kinds of vinegars, and there's only one brand of sherry vinegar, so you could easily pass it up. It really gives this salad dressing a rich, nutty and slightly sweet flavoring that's so delicious but not overpowering. You'll want to find sherry vinegar.

    If you can't find sherry vinegar, use red wine vinegar as a substitute. I would strongly recommend you buy it off Amazon if you can't find it in your local grocery store though.

    And just a note: sherry cooking wine is NOT the same thing as sherry vinegar. Sherry cooking wine can be substituted for wine when you're cooking, but not substituted for sherry vinegar for this salad.

    bottle of sherry vinegar need for the copycat cosi signature salad

    Ingredients for the sherry shallot vinaigrette

    Y'all. This vinaigrette is goooooooood. Just trust me. I could drink this stuff straight from the bowl. Have I talked up this dressing too much?

    sherry vinaigrette in a jar with garlic and shallots falling to the bottom

    Here's all you need for the signature salad's dressing:

    • shallot
    • garlic
    • sherry vinegar
    • olive oil
    • honey
    • squeeze of lemon (optional)
    • salt and pepper
    ingredients needed for the sherry shallot vinaigrette: olive oil, sherry vinegar, shallot, garlic, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper.

    Ingredients for the salad

    • mixed baby greens
    • grapes, cut in half
    • pear, diced
    • dried cranberries, I prefer the kind without added sugar, but you do you
    • gorgonzola cheese, yes, it's a strong cheese, but no, you won't regret it
    • pistachios (which, of course, I forgot until I had about 3 bites of salad left)
    ingredients needed for the salad in bowls: mixed greens, grapes, gorgonzola, pears, dried cranberries, and pistachios

    A salad for all seasons

    I love me a good salad, especially a seasonal salad that uses fresh produce. I get so sad when I can't eat a salad during the "off season" but then it's like Christmas when I can eat it again. Here are some of my seasonal favorites:

    • Fall salads: If you're also in love with Chick-Fil-A's salad, there's the Copycat Chick-Fil-A Superfood Kale Salad that's one of my go-tos when broccolini is in season. There's also this Butternut Squash Salad with Apples, Kale and a Warm Pancetta Dressing from my friend Lori that's unreal.
    • Winter salad: Citrus Fennel Salad uses fresh citrus and avocado as well as the most deliciously simple grapefruit vinaigrette
    • Spring salad: this Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Radishes, Ricotta, and Mint is just the perfect spring-time salad.
    • Summer salad: What's more summery than this Tomato and Peach Salad with Whipped Goat Cheese?
    chicken breast over the signature salad

    Here's to many more salads in the new year!

    kathryn

    As always, if you make anything from the blog, be sure to let me know! I love hearing from you in the comments on this post below or find Worn Slap Out on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

    cosi signature salad with chicken breast

    Copycat Cosi Signature Salad

    This Copycat Cosi Signature Salad is made of mixed greens, grapes, pears, gorgonzola cheese, pistachios, and dried cranberries all tossed in the most delicious sherry shallot vinaigrette. Add some protein...or not!
    4.87 from 15 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    For the salad:

    • 1 large package of mixed greens salad
    • 1 cup red grapes, sliced in half
    • 1 pear, cored and diced
    • ⅓ cup dried cranberries
    • ¼ cup pistachios
    • ¼ cup gorgonzola cheese
    • 4 cooked chicken breasts, sliced

    For the dressing

    • ½ large shallot, minced
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • ¼ cup sherry vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
    • 2 teaspoon honey
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • squeeze fresh lemon, optional

    Instructions

    • Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
    • Combine all salad dressing ingredients except for olive oil in a smaller bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until fully incorporated. When you're ready to serve, toss dressing in salad and serve immediately.

    Notes

    Note: If you're planning on having leftovers, save the salad first without tossing in the dressing.  The salad will stay fresh for 2-3 days.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @wornslapout or tag #wornslapout!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.87 from 15 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. SHANIKA

      April 27, 2020 at 12:34 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! This Salad looks amazing! I definitely need to make this for a date night meal! I'm loving the addition of Sherry Vinegar!

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        September 10, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        The sherry dressing really makes it!

        Reply
    2. Beth Pierce

      April 27, 2020 at 12:38 pm

      5 stars
      So yummy and healthy. My favorite salad.

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        September 10, 2020 at 1:19 pm

        Me, tooooooo!

        Reply
    3. Noelle

      April 27, 2020 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      Yum!! This was a perfect lunch salad for this beautiful Monday, thank you for sharing 🙂

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        September 10, 2020 at 1:20 pm

        I'm so glad, Noelle!

        Reply
    4. Annie @ Annie's Noms

      April 27, 2020 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      I've never heard of Cosi before, but you have got me wanting to rush to the kitchen to try it! I'm trying really hard to make healthier choices right now because with everything going on, it would be too easy to pick junk food, so I'll definitely be trying this!!

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        September 10, 2020 at 1:20 pm

        Agreed. I always make excuses why salads take too long to make and then I really think about it and think why am I complaining about 10 minutes of work?!

        Reply
    5. Tara

      April 27, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I can see why you craved this salad. It sounds incredible. Love all those flavors paired with the sherry shallot vinaigrette.

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        September 10, 2020 at 1:21 pm

        Definitely give it a try! It's so good!

        Reply
    6. Bern

      April 04, 2022 at 5:39 pm

      Hi. How long can we keep the dressing in the refrigerator?

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        April 17, 2022 at 10:20 pm

        Hi, Bern! It'll definitely last for at least one week. Note: the dressing will congeal a bit in the fridge -- but that's normal. Just take it out about 30 minutes before you want to use and give it a good shake!

        Reply
    7. Diana Beall

      December 29, 2023 at 5:22 pm

      Can you used canned pears?

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        December 30, 2023 at 2:03 pm

        Absolutely, Diana!

        Reply
    8. Rolanda F Hines

      May 15, 2024 at 12:27 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks again for reprising/recalling this wonderful salad's recipe details. And...you recalled some intricate details. What a Blast from the Past! And, what an awesome DIY (Do It Yourself) for the future.

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        May 15, 2024 at 12:36 pm

        Thanks so much, Rolanda! I miss Cosi and their TBMs (remember those?!). We eat the signature salad a couple times a month in our house though!

        Reply
    9. Chicago Girl

      September 09, 2024 at 3:17 pm

      5 stars
      Perfect!

      Reply
      • Kathryn

        September 11, 2024 at 4:42 pm

        So glad to hear it. Thanks for leaving a comment and star rating. It means the world to me!
        <3,
        Kathryn

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kathryn!

    Welcome to Worn Slap Out, a Southern-inspired recipe corner for busy people on the go. As a mom of two littles who also loves food, I need meals on the table ASAP but I also want to eat well. Here, you'll find quick, easy, and reasonably healthy meals you can make in a flash. Other loves include Georgia football, cake of all kinds, and elastic waistbands.


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