Description
This vibrant antipasto salad is loaded with Italian-inspired ingredients like cured meats, cheeses, olives, and fresh vegetables. It’s colorful, bold in flavor, and easy to prepare, making it perfect for gatherings, casual dinners, or as a stand-alone light meal. With its endless customization options and fresh homemade dressing, this salad is a kitchen staple you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- ½ cup artichoke hearts
- ½ cup pepperoncini
- 6 oz sliced salami
- 4 oz torn prosciutto
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Optional Add-Ins
- Roasted red peppers
- Marinated mushrooms
- Fresh basil or oregano
- Grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas (for added protein)
- Plant-based cheese or tofu (for vegan option)
Instructions
- Wash and prepare all vegetables and ingredients.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, salami, prosciutto, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
- Garnish with extra Parmesan shavings or fresh herbs if desired.
- Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Add dressing just before serving to keep greens crisp.
- To reduce saltiness, rinse olives and use fewer cured meats.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting meats or using plant-based alternatives.
- Prepare all ingredients ahead and store separately to keep fresh until serving.
- Avoid freezing this salad is best fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Main Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (¼ of recipe)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 17g
- Cholesterol: 55mg