Antipasto Salad Recipe

An Antipasto salad is filled with sliced meats, soft cheeses, green and black olives with bright red cherry tomatoes that is simple to toss together and enjoy in a homemade light lemon olive oil dressing. This is an Italian salad that everyone loves!

Another Italian favorite is a Farro Caprese Salad or Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad that is loaded with cheese and vegetables with a sweet and savory dressing drizzled over top. Both recipes are easy to make and delicious!

Antipasto salad with slices of meat, sliced cherry tomatoes, cheese balls, green and black olives and lettuce all in a bowl with a metal spoon.

Antipasto Salad

Get ready to be “WOWed” over this bright and colorful Italian salad. One of the best salads that is filled with soft, crunchy, savory and sweet bites. Simply add all the ingredients into one bowl and toss gently. Whisk together the lemon olive oil dressing and pour over top the salad and toss once more. Add this Focaccia bread recipe for a side of bread to this antipasto salad and make a complete meal. It is one of my favorites for good reason!

All the flavors and the perfect combination of sweet and savory are all tossed together in this antipasto salad. I know when I make this I have to store it and have again and again. It is truly one of my favorites as well as my families. Even my boys love the blends of meat, cheeses and vegetables all hand tossed together making this one AMAZING homemade salad. Lunch or dinner, this salad has all that you need and more!

What is Antipasto Salad?

Antipasto salad is known to be from Italy. It is a traditional Italian salad that is served as the first course during a meal. Most often an antipasto salads ingredients are slices of meat, various vegetables, olives, mushrooms tossed in a light oil or vinegar dressing. This antipasto salad is very similar to a traditional Italian salad that had all the flavor you are wanting.

What’s in an Antipasto Salad?

Romaine: Chopped and made as the base to this Italian salad.
Green Olives: These typically come from a can and are halved leaving a tangy and zesty flavor to the salad.
Black Olives: Medium sized olives are best and taste amazing in this salad. They are soft in the salad with a hint of flavor.
Cherry Tomatoes: Slice in half and add fresh tomatoes and brighten this salad up.
Mini Pepperoni: Slice up and add into the salad for a sweet and spicy combination.
Jarred Roasted Red Peppers: Just like they sound, a little spicy. Too much spice, leave out what is best for you and your family.
Genoa Salami: Thinly slice salami that is chewable and ready to eat once served.
Mozzarella Cheese Balls: These mozzarella cheese balls are one of my favorites for texture and adding to the salad.
Artichoke Hearts: Canned and comes perfectly cut for you. Just drain and add right to the salad without the work.
Provolone Cheese: Squared and squishy just the right amount of texture in between all the crunchy.

Lemon Olive Oil Dressing:

Olive Oil: A light additive to the dressing that is drizzled over top of the salad.
Lemon Juice: Zesty and fresh flavor of lemons just adds the right amount of sweetness to this salad.
Italian Seasoning: Add in the Italian seasoning for a savory salad dressing.

How to Make Antipasto Salad:

Toss the salad ingredients together: In a large bowl add the romaine, olives, tomatoes, pepperoni, red peppers, salami, mozzarella, artichoke hearts, and provolone.
To make the lemon olive oil dressing: In a small bowl whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Pour over the solid and toss.

Antipasto salad with the ingredients spread out over the salad into sections.

Variations:

There are several ways to make this antipasto salad and add in all your favorite Italian twist. Most cured meats add protein and flavor to the salad. Sliced mushrooms, anchovies and vegetables are always a fun way to add in more flavor, taste and texture. Try various cheeses to your liking and see how this antipasto changes with more or less variations. Create a salad that you love!

Storing Antipasto Salad:

Another thing I do love about this salad is how easy it is to make ahead and even store in the refrigerator. It does not do well in the freezer and don’t welcome that way of store in. This makes for a great meal prep salad or just eating on the go. When I know I have a busy day or even week, I just quickly add the ingredients together and leave the dressing off until ready to enjoy. Store in an airtight container for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Antipasto salad with the lemon olive oil dressing being poured over top.

More Delicious Salad Recipes to Try:

Antipasto salad in a bowl.