Antipasto Salad Recipe

Need a new starter to impress? Bright, fresh ingredients and bold, Mediterranean flavors combine in this antipasto salad recipe for a dish that’s as easy as it is satisfying.

Why Make Antipasto Salad

If you’re looking for a knockout meal that is easy to prepare but big on wow factor, antipasto salad will win every time.

Created in Italy, where food is a cause for celebration, antipasto salad is one way to dip your toes into the slow, Italian lifestyle.

This side-dish salad incorporates the best of the Mediterranean with a salad so you can feel good about making it and loving it.

Antipasto salad is the right choice whether you’re dining with family, at a holiday party or even at brunch with the girls.

The literal translation of antipasto is ‘before the meal’, suggesting that the dish – which traditionally features fine ingredients such as meat and cheese – should prep the palate for the meal to follow.

When broken down and put in a bowl, antipasto can become a main course in its own right.

This robust and substantial Italian salad is ideal for lunch or a light dinner.

Think of a colorful assembly of crisp vegetables, salty olives, cured meats, and creamy cheeses, all tossed through with a sharp vinaigrette.

You get a sense of how this simple dish captures the Mediterranean culinary experience.

One of the best things about antipasto salad is its flexibility. You can make it to your tastes, or with whatever you have on hand.

Want a little heat? Throw in some pepperoncini. Want something smoky? Add some grilled artichokes.

You can change it up ever so slightly and your taste buds will feel like it’s something new.

This flexibility also makes it a great meal prep dish: make it once, and you have a healthy, delicious snack or meal ready to go when you want it.

What Makes it Great?

Besides its taste and versatility, the antipasto salad is also a feast for the eyes.

Its varied colors – red tomatoes, green peppers, purple olives – make for a dish that is as visually satisfying as it is delicious.

The mix of textures – crunch, smooth, chew, salt, tang – adds another dimension to the experience.

It’s a dish that invites you to eat slowly and savor every bite; to appreciate the balance of ingredients and the freshness of the produce.

Maybe the best reason to make an antipasto salad comes down to its healthfulness.

A salad full of vegetables, lean protein and healthy fats makes for a delicious, nutritious meal, which might be the best of both worlds for anyone striving for flavorful eating while working toward wellness goals. 

We’re here to walk you through a typical antipasto salad recipe and help you make it your own.

By reading this blog post, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to build a delicious antipasto salad that embodies classic Italian style.

We’ll break down each component of an antipasto salad, and share the secrets to choosing the best-quality ingredients, and tips for the proper balance of flavors.

Whether you are an experienced cook or a novice in the kitchen, creating the Italian version of this antipasto salad is within your reach.

Get those ingredients in hand and let’s get started on this antipasto salad recipe, which will put you on the path to wowing your guests and satisfying your tastebuds. 

Antipasto Salad Recipe Ingredients

Homemade Italian Dressing 

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar is important in a salad dressing because it lifts the flavor with a tart acidity that cuts through the greasy quality of oils.
• 2 cloves garlic minced: Minced garlic is essential in the dressing because it contributes a robust depth that elevates the richness and enhances the nature of the dish. 
• 1 teaspoon sugar: Adds a little bit of sweetness that helps to suppress the acidity, makes the dressing less harsh.
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano: Dried oregano is important to salad dressing because it adds a subtle, slightly woody earthy note to the salad
• ½ teaspoon dried basil: Similar to oregano, these herbs work together to provide an enhanced flavor. 
• ¼ teaspoon salt: Brings out the natural taste of each ingredient
• ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper: Complements and rounds out the other ingredients. 
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice: Lemon juice’s sharp, zesty taste cuts through the earthy and oily flavors in a dressing.
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil provides the base for all of your ingredients to mix together. 

Antipasto Salad Ingredients

• 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce: Chopped romaine will be the main salad green for this appetizer, you’ll need a lot.
• 1 cup grape tomatoes halved: Don’t forget the tomatoes for this salad platter. No Italian dish is complete without them.
• 1 7.5 ounce jar grilled marinated artichoke hearts drained: Be sure to drain this ingredient before using it in the salad to avoid the hearts being soggy.
• 8 ounces mozzarella pearls or mozzarella balls: Mozzarella is the perfect cheese for any antipasto platter.
• ⅔ cup pitted Kalamata olives: Think of this dish as a charcuterie board salad. What pairs great with those meats and Italian cheeses? Olives of course.
• 1 cup assorted sweet cherry peppers and pepperoncini: Adds a spicy zest, spicing up the flavor profile making it unique and lively.
• 8 ounces chopped genoa salami: My favorite meat for this salad it salami, but there are endless options
• Fresh basil for ribbons: To finish, garnish with basil ribbons, made by rolling the basil before chopping it vertically.

How to Make this Antipasto Salad Recipe

1. Add the red wine vinegar, garlic, sugar, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil to a mason jar.
2. Shake or whisk together to combine. 
3. Add the chopped romaine to a large serving bowl.
4. Drizzle about half of the dressing over the romaine lettuce and toss to coat.
5. Top with tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mozzarella pearls, Kalamata olives, cherry peppers, peperoncini, and salami.
6. Toss the salad.
7. Drizzle with the remaining dressing, Top with fresh basil ribbons, and serve. 

Tips and Substitutions

This is one of my favorite recipes for a reason. There are endless substitutions that can be implemented when making this side dish. 

You can chose from a variety of meats. Pepperoni is just one example of a great option.

Use a combination of meats for flavor in every bite. I also recommend experimenting with different kinds of cheese.

Grate some provolone cheese over top of your salad as it pairs well with mozzarella. There are also plenty of other herbs and spices that can be added.

Most of the salads seasonings come from the dressing, so consider adding pickled red onions and roasted red peppers to the mix. 

You can also find a great Italian dressing at the store if making your own is not your style. Dijon mustard is another great dressing alternative, and it works great added into our own dressing recipe. 

Chickpeas can also be substituted for the base or just as an additional ingredient as a way to add protein.

To me, no salad is complete without a bit of crunch. My favorite way to add crunch is with pita crisps which are perfect in this Mediterranean inspired recipe.

You can even make a variation of this recipe, the antipasto pasta salad, by just switching out the romaine for your favorite cold pasta. 

Serve on a large antipasto salad platter and enjoy!

Get the scoop on more like this:

• Apricots with Goat Cheese & Orange Honey-Walnut
• Greek Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe
• Snack Lunch Ideas: 15 Quick and Tasty Suggestions
• 15 Veggie Snack Ideas for a Healthy Bite