This Antipasto salad is loaded with fresh lettuce, tomato, cheese, pepperoni, salami slices, and a delicious balsamic dressing that completes everything perfectly. Learn how to make the best Italian Antipasto salad that’s easy to make, customizable, and ready in only 10 minutes.
If you’re in need of a quick and hassle-free salad for your next party or a convenient weeknight dinner, this is the recipe for you! It’s a surefire hit, capturing all the beloved flavors and ingredients of a traditional pizza.
This salad recipe holds a special spot in my heart because it not only fills you up but also delivers a burst of freshness that my whole family adores. What makes it truly special is the medley of delicious ingredients that, when combined, create an extraordinary dish brimming with irresistible flavors.
But that’s not all – I love to make it my own by adding my favorite toppings like roasted bell peppers, fresh basil, or even some diced avocado for a creamy twist. It’s a versatile canvas for culinary creativity, allowing me to tailor it precisely to my taste preferences.
Furthermore, this salad is an excellent choice for meal prepping. Whip up a batch in advance, and you’ll have a wholesome and delectable option ready to go whenever hunger strikes.
I’m sure this Antipasto Salad is guaranteed to become a cherished staple in your kitchen, ready to impress everyone and help you with meal planning.
What is An Antipasto Salad?
An Italian Antipasto Salad is a flavorful salad inspired by the traditional Italian antipasto platter. It typically includes ingredients like lettuce, tomatoes, cured meats (such as salami or prosciutto), cheeses (like mozzarella or provolone), marinated vegetables (such as artichokes or roasted peppers), olives, red onions, fresh herbs, and balsamic vinegar and olive oil dressing. It’s a versatile and hearty dish, perfect as an appetizer or a main course.
Why Are You Going To Love This Classic Antipasto Salad
- Burst of Flavors: This salad combines a medley of flavors, from the savory salami and pepperoni to the creamy mozzarella, tangy olives, and artichokes.
- Fresh and Crisp: The use of Romaine lettuce and cherry tomatoes adds freshness and crispness to the salad, making it a refreshing and satisfying dish.
- Customizable: This recipe is highly customizable. You can tailor it to your liking by adding or omitting ingredients based on your preferences, dietary restrictions, or what you have on hand.
- Quick and Easy: With minimal prep work and a simple dressing, this Antipasto Salad comes together in just 10 minutes, making it a delicious choice for busy days.
- Versatile: Whether served as an appetizer, side dish, or a standalone meal, this salad is versatile and can complement a wide range of occasions and menus.
- Wholesome and Filling: Packed with fresh vegetables, cheese, and protein, this salad is not only delicious but also nutritious and filling.
- Homemade Dressing: The homemade balsamic vinegar dressing adds a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, elevating the overall taste of the salad.
- Perfect for Sharing: It’s an excellent dish for gatherings, potlucks, or picnics, as it appeals to a broad range of tastes and preferences.
- Classic Italian Flavor: This Antipasto Salad captures the essence of classic Italian flavors, transporting your taste buds to the heart of Italy with every bite.
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 small red onion sliced
- 1/2 cup pitted olives
- 4 oz mozzarella balls
- 2 oz pepperoni
For Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 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.