I love a hearty salad. Some of my favorites include mango salad, Ahi tuna salad, brussels sprout salad and this simple yet satisfying antipasto salad.
Antipasto Salad Ingredients
When you make antipasto salad you will need salad greens, salami, prosciutto, olives, roasted red peppers, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, mozzarella balls, pepperoncini peppers and parsley. For the dressing you will need olive oil, dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt and pepper. This salad would be perfect with main dishes like spaghetti with slow cooker Italian meatballs, classic stuffed shells or a chicken alfredo bake! Why not have an Italian feast?
How Do You Make Antipasto Salad?
To make antipasto salad start with the dressing. Place all the dressing ingredients in a sealed jar. Shake the jar to mix the dressing. Alternatively, you can whisk the salad dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Cut your salami, prosciutto and larger veggies into bite size pieces. Place your lettuce in a bowl. Pour half the dressing over the lettuce. Toss the lettuce and dressing together. Top the lettuce with salami, prosciutto, kalamata olives, fresh mozzarella pearls, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, chickpeas and pepperoncini peppers. Drizzle the rest of the dressing over the top of the salad. Sprinkle a little parsley on top and you are ready to enjoy the salad.
Tips For The Perfect Antipasto Salad
You can really use whatever lettuce you like for this antipasto salad. I tend to just buy one of those bags of pre-washed mixed greens. You could also use chopped up romaine or butter lettuce. Spinach will also work well. Arrange the toppings in small groups across the salad for a more elegant presentation. The dressing can be made up to a week in advance which is great for when you’re trying to plan ahead. This salad is best when served immediately, as the dressing can wilt the lettuce over time.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is fantastic as written; however, with antipasto you can have fun building your salad with your favorite toppings!
Meats: You could add pepperoni, genoa salami, capicola, soppressata or even sliced chicken to the salad. Cheeses: Small cubes of provolone cheese, fontina cheese and asiago cheese work well with this salad. You could also shave some parmesan cheese over the top! Vegetables: There are tons of other veggies that would go well on this salad. You can try marinated mushrooms, red onions, grilled eggplant, roasted asparagus or even try a scoop of peperonata or caponata.
If you love antipasto, take a look at my amazing antipasto platter for another way to enjoy this great Italian flavor! If you want a similar salad with a Greek twist, you need to try my chopped Greek salad. This antipasto salad is perfect for a main course or as a hearty appetizer or side dish. When I serve it as a main course I often have garlic knots, caprese bread or Italian style bread on the side. However you serve it, it’s sure to be a hit at a party, as a filling lunch or for a quick dinner option.
