Antipasto Salad

Antipasto salad is a Mediterranean inspired favorite packed with fresh and brined ingredients!

Marinated veggies and olives, fresh mozzarella cheese, and your choice of Italian meats are drizzled with a tangy vinaigrette and served on a bed of lettuce!

This antipasto salad recipe is not only a showstopper to look at but it’s jam-packed with flavor.

What is Antipasto Salad?

Antipasto is the first course of an Italian meal and usually consists of meats, cheeses and other various bites served charcuterie board style.
In this recipe a typical antipasto plate has been turned into a salad for a light summer entrée or as a filling lunch.
Antipasto salad is a low-carb and low-calorie lovers’ dream; it’s delicious and chock full of healthy ingredients!
All your favorite pizza toppings come together in one quick and easy salad!
Add any extra veggies that you have in your fridge!

Ingredients/Variations

Lettuce – Romaine holds up well with the variety of ingredients in this recipe. To add extra color and some nutrition, toss in a bag of pre-shredded coleslaw mixed with green and red cabbage and shredded carrots.

Veggies & cheese – Marinated artichoke hearts, green olives, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella pearls or bocconcini give this salad its signature flavors.

Try other additions like roasted red peppers, provolone cheese, marinated artichokes, pepperoncini, or kalamata olives.

For best results, use red onions because they are sweeter than other varieties. Fresh basil and parsley not only add flavor but make beautiful garnishes!

Meat – Genoa salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni add a salty balance to the tart veggies and dressing. I like to buy an Italian charcuterie mixed package at the grocery store as they’re thinly sliced and you’ll get a variety.

Dressing – We prefer homemade Italian dressing although bottled works too! Even a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice makes for a perfect dressing.

How to Make Antipasto Salad

It’s delish and so easy to put together:

Arrange washed romaine lettuce (or other greens) on a platter or in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing.
Top the salad with the remaining ingredients.
Garnish with cracked black pepper & a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, if desired. Drizzle with olive oil or additional dressing if desired.

Serve with grilled bread, homemade garlic bread, or homemade croutons.

Storing Leftover Salad

If planning for leftovers, add the dressing to each serving instead of dressing the whole salad. Dressed salad may wilt if left in the fridge.
Leftover marinated vegetables and cheese can be made into an antipasto pasta salad using rotini, penne, or elbow macaroni.

Perfectly Portable Salads

Did you make this Antipasto Salad? Leave us a rating and a comment below!

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A quick and easy salad with all the flavors of everyone’s favorite Italian-inspired appetizer.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

If making homemade dressing, prepare the dressing and refrigerate to allow flavors to blend.
Wash and dry the greens and tear into bite-sized pieces. Arrange on a large platter or in a bowl and drizzle with some of the dressing (a few tablespoons).
Gently top the salad with remaining ingredients and drizzle with additional dressing to taste.
Serve with fresh herbs and grilled bread if desired.

If planning for leftovers, drizzle the dressing on individual servings instead of over the whole salad.
You can use any mixture of Italian meats. Most grocery stores sell a package of mixed Italian meats which is perfect for this recipe!
Use either fresh bocconcini or fresh mozzarella that has been diced. Marinated mozzarella is great in this recipe too.

5 from 1 vote↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

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