This Italian Antipasto Salad is a quick and satisfying dish packed with bold flavors and vibrant textures. It’s loaded with crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, sharp cheese, pepperoni, and salami—all tossed in a tangy balsamic dressing that brings everything together beautifully.
Inspired by classic Italian appetizer platters, this salad takes all the best parts of an antipasto board and turns them into a hearty, fresh, and satisfying meal. It’s the perfect low-carb lunch, easy weeknight dinner, or colorful side dish for your next gathering.
Ready in just 10 minutes, this salad is as convenient as it is delicious—and completely customizable. Whether you’re looking for a keto-friendly salad, an easy Italian side dish, or a protein-packed meal, this Antipasto Salad checks all the boxes.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy salad for your next gathering or a convenient low-carb dinner idea, this Antipasto Salad is exactly what you need. It’s always a crowd-pleaser, packed with all the bold, savory flavors of your favorite Italian antipasto platter—think cheese, cured meats, and fresh veggies—all tossed together in one vibrant, hearty dish.
This salad holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s not only filling and satisfying, but it also brings a burst of fresh, zesty flavor that my whole family loves. What makes it truly stand out is the combination of colorful, delicious ingredients—each bite is packed with texture and taste.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. I love adding roasted bell peppers, fresh basil, or even diced avocado for an extra creamy touch. It’s a customizable salad that adapts perfectly to whatever you’re craving.
Plus, this recipe is perfect for meal prep. Make a batch ahead of time, and you’ll have a healthy, protein-packed saladready to go for lunches, quick dinners, or even potlucks.
Whether you’re following a keto or low-carb lifestyle or just want something simple and delicious, this Italian Antipasto Salad is bound to become a staple in your weekly rotation.
What Is an Antipasto Salad?
Antipasto Salad is a vibrant, hearty dish inspired by the classic Italian antipasto platter, which is traditionally served as a first course before a meal. This salad version transforms all the bold, savory elements of the platter into a fresh, easy-to-serve dish that’s perfect as a side or a satisfying main course.
Typically, an Italian Antipasto Salad includes a delicious mix of crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, cured meats like salami or prosciutto, Italian cheeses such as mozzarella or provolone, briny olives, roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, and thinly sliced red onions. Everything is tossed in a simple yet flavorful homemade balsamic vinaigretteor olive oil and vinegar dressing, often finished with fresh herbs like basil or parsley.
This salad is low-carb, naturally gluten-free, and incredibly easy to customize with your favorite toppings or pantry ingredients. It’s a go-to option for meal prep, dinner parties, or whenever you want a salad that’s anything but boring.
Why You’ll Love This Classic Italian Antipasto Salad
- Bold, Italian-Inspired Flavors: This salad is bursting with savory, tangy, and creamy notes thanks to a mouthwatering combination of salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, briny olives, and marinated artichokes—all the best elements of a traditional antipasto platter in every bite.
- Fresh and Crisp Textures: Crisp Romaine lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crunchy red onions bring the perfect balance of freshness and crunch to every forkful, making this salad both light and satisfying.
- Customizable to Your Taste: Make it your own by swapping in ingredients like prosciutto, roasted red peppers, avocado, pepperoncini, or fresh basil. Perfect for low-carb, gluten-free, or keto variations too.
- Quick and Easy to Make: With only 10 minutes of prep time, this no-cook recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or effortless meal prep.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Serve it as a hearty main course, refreshing side dish, or a vibrant party salad at potlucks, picnics, or Italian-themed dinners.
- Wholesome and Satisfying: Packed with fiber-rich vegetables, quality protein, and healthy fats from cheese and olives, this salad is a nutrient-dense option that keeps you full and fueled.
- Flavorful Homemade Dressing: The balsamic vinaigrette ties it all together with just the right touch of tang, sweetness, and richness—far better than anything store-bought.
- Crowd-Pleaser: With its colorful presentation and bold flavors, this salad is sure to impress guests and become a favorite at any gathering.
- Classic Italian Comfort in Salad Form: Inspired by the flavors of Italy, this dish delivers that rustic, traditional charm in a modern, convenient way—no cooking required!
Ingredients For Antipasto Salad
You will need just a few ingredients you can find at any store to create this delicious antipasto salad. Here is a list of everything you will need:
- Romaine Lettuce: Romaine lettuce offers a crisp and slightly bitter taste, but don’t hesitate to swap it with Iceberg lettuce if you prefer a milder crunch in your salad. Alternatively, consider using mixed greens for added variety and nutrition.
- Cherry Tomatoes: While cherry tomatoes provide a burst of sweetness and color, you can diversify your tomato selection with grape tomatoes, plum tomatoes, or heirloom varieties.
- Pepperoni and Salami: If you’re not a fan of these cured meats, your antipasto salad can still shine with alternatives such as thinly sliced ham, turkey, or roast beef.
- Provolone Cheese: Provolone cheese’s mild and slightly tangy taste complements the salad well. For a change, try Monterey Jack cheese with its creamy texture or cheddar cheese for a sharper flavor.
- Artichokes: Artichokes contribute a delightful blend of bitter and sweet notes. However, if you prefer a sweeter profile, you can use roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes. Both alternatives offer a burst of sweetness and vibrant color.
- Red Onion: Red onions add a hint of mild spiciness and vibrant color to the salad. Yellow or white onions are excellent substitutions, offering a milder onion flavor that pairs well with other ingredients.
- Olives: For olive lovers, both black and green olives are fantastic choices. You can even experiment with Kalamata olives for a more intense and briny flavor. If you’re not an olive enthusiast, capers can provide a similar briny essence on a smaller scale.
- Mozzarella Balls: While mozzarella balls add creaminess and a classic touch, you can also use diced fresh mozzarella or Burrata cheese for an even richer and indulgent experience. Feta cheese or goat cheese can introduce a tangy twist.
For The Balsamic Vinegar Dressing
- Olive Oil – The foundation of a great balsamic vinaigrette is high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Its rich, fruity, and slightly peppery notes contribute to the dressing’s depth of flavor. It’s essential to use a good-quality olive oil to enhance the overall taste of your salad. Avoid using lower-grade oils that may lack complexity.
- Balsamic Vinegar – pt for high-quality balsamic vinegar with a rich, syrupy consistency and a balanced sweet-tart flavor. Avoid varieties that are excessively watery or overly tangy, as they can overpower the dressing and your salad. If you’re out of balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used as substitutes. Keep in mind that they will impart slightly different flavor profiles, so adjust the quantity to taste.
- Dijon Mustard – Dijon mustard adds a tangy kick and helps emulsify the dressing. If you’re not a fan of Dijon mustard, you can replace it with your favorite type of mustard, such as yellow mustard or grainy mustard.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic offers an intense and aromatic flavor to the dressing. You can adjust the amount of garlic to suit your preference, but for a milder taste, consider using roasted garlic or garlic powder as alternatives.
- Salt and pepper – Season your dressing to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
How To Make Antipasto Salad
This recipe is super easy to make since it doesn’t require any cooking method. So here is everything you have to do:
Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Wash and chop the Romaine Lettuce into bite-sized pieces, and halve the Cherry Tomatoes. Dice the Salami and Provolone Cheese into small pieces, and chop the Marinated Artichokes. Slice the Red Onion thinly and, if needed, pit and slice the Olives. Drain the Mozzarella Balls, and prepare the Pepperoni.
Prepare the Balsamic Vinegar Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Dijon Mustard, and minced Garlic, and season with Salt and Pepper to taste. Whisk the dressing until all the ingredients are well blended, adjusting the salt and pepper as needed.
Assemble the Antipasto Salad: In a large salad bowl or on individual serving plates, start with a layer of chopped Romaine Lettuce. Arrange the Cherry Tomatoes, diced Salami, diced Provolone Cheese, chopped Marinated Artichokes, sliced Red Onion, Pitted Olives, Mozzarella Balls, and Pepperoni on top of the lettuce.
Drizzle with Balsamic Vinegar Dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the prepared Balsamic Vinegar Dressing evenly over the salad. Start with a small amount and add more according to your taste.
Toss and Serve: Gently toss the Antipasto Salad to ensure that all ingredients are coated with the dressing. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious, hearty Antipasto Salad!
This recipe serves as a delightful appetizer or a satisfying main course, offering a burst of flavors and textures. Customize it further by adding or substituting ingredients to suit your personal preferences. Bon appétit!
Optional Add-ins
- Fresh Basil: Fresh basil leaves can enhance the aroma and taste of your salad. Their aromatic, slightly peppery flavor pairs wonderfully with tomatoes and cheese.
- Cucumbers: Sliced cucumbers introduce refreshing crispness. English cucumbers are a great choice due to their thin skin and fewer seeds.
- Protein: To make your salad more substantial, consider chicken tenders, air fryer shrimp, or chickpeas for added protein and variety.
- Roasted Pine Nuts: A sprinkling of roasted pine nuts can offer a delightful nutty crunch and depth of flavor.
Storing Ideas
- Fridge: You can store any leftovers from this recipe in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: This salad is not freezer-friendly because, while thawed, all the ingredients will become soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead Of Time?
Sure, this recipe is great for meal prep. Just prepare all the ingredients as we did in this recipe and store them in an airtight container in the fridge(without the dressing) until you plan to eat it.
Is Antipasto Different From Antipasti?
Yes, antipasti is a mix of different types of cheese, meat, vegetables, and fruit served on a plate as a snack at a party, while antipasto is the first dish served at an Italian dinner.
More Salad Recipes
Antipasto Salad
Description
Ingredients
- 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 4 oz salami diced
- 6 oz provolone cheese
- 4 oz marinated artichokes drained and chopped
- 1 red onion small, sliced
- 1/2 cup pitted olives
- 4 oz mozzarella balls
- 2 oz pepperoni
For Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Start by making the dressing. In a small bowl, add all the ingredients and mix until well combined. Set aside.
- Prepare all the ingredients for the salad.
- Assemble the salad in a large bowl, add the ingredients, and drizzle with the dressing.
- Mix to coat and serve immediately.
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.