Bright & Bold Antipasti Dinner Salad Recipe for Cozy Gatherings

Crafting an antipasti dinner salad sparks culinary creativity in unexpected ways.

Mediterranean flavors dance across colorful plates with vibrant ingredients.

Crisp vegetables mingle alongside rich, salty cured meats for a delightful experience.

Seasonal produce becomes the star of this simple yet sophisticated dish.

Fresh herbs and zesty dressings add magical complexity to each bite.

Mixing textures and bold tastes creates a memorable meal that feels like a journey through Italian countryside kitchens.

You’ll want to savor every delicious morsel of this remarkable recipe.

Why Antipasti Dinner Salad Is Far from Boring

• Craft Gourmet Delight: Transform simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality antipasti salad that impresses guests and satisfies sophisticated taste buds.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like swapping salami for prosciutto or changing cheese types to match personal preferences or dietary needs.
• Quick Culinary Adventure: Prepare a complete meal in minutes with minimal cooking steps, perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous dinner gatherings.
• Texture Party: Experience a delightful mix of crunchy toasted bread, crisp vegetables, and soft mozzarella that creates an exciting flavor and texture journey in every bite.

What Goes into Antipasti Dinner Salad Magic

• Bread: A crunchy element that adds texture and helps soak up the delicious dressing of the salad.

• Radicchio, Celery: Crisp vegetables that provide a fresh and slightly bitter base for the salad.
• Romaine Lettuce: A sturdy lettuce that serves as a perfect platform for the salad mixture.

• Salami: A savory cured meat that brings rich, meaty flavor to the antipasti salad.
• Mozzarella: A soft, creamy cheese that adds a mild and smooth texture to the dish.

• Basil: A fragrant herb that provides a fresh and aromatic note to the salad.
• Olives: Briny and salty ingredients that contribute a Mediterranean flavor profile.

• Olive Oil: A key ingredient that helps bind the salad and adds a smooth, rich base.
• Red Wine Vinegar: A tangy liquid that balances the richness of the other ingredients.
• Garlic: An aromatic ingredient that infuses the oil with a deep, savory flavor.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall taste of the salad.

How to Build the Ultimate Antipasti Dinner Salad

Step 1: Sizzle Garlic in Olive Oil

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop in garlic and cook until it releases its aromatic magic, about 1 minute.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Bread Croutons

Crank up the heat to high. Toss bread into the skillet in batches, toasting until each side turns a gorgeous golden brown.

Remove and sprinkle with salt.

Step 3: Whip Up Zesty Vinaigrette

• Red wine vinegar
• Remaining olive oil
• Salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Step 4: Blend Salad Ingredients

• Radicchio
• Celery
• Salami
• Fresh basil
• Mozzarella
• Olives

Mix everything until each ingredient is lovingly coated.

Step 5: Plate with Elegance

Lay out romaine halves on plates. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Generously spoon the salad mixture over romaine wedges. Drizzle any remaining dressing on top.

Serve alongside the crispy toasted bread.

Secrets for a Bold and Balanced Antipasti Salad

• Toast bread chunks in olive oil for extra crunch and rich flavor, ensuring golden brown color on both sides.
• Use high-quality salami and fresh mozzarella to elevate the overall taste and texture of the antipasti salad.
• Select crisp radicchio and celery for maximum freshness and create a balanced, vibrant vegetable base.
• Adjust seasoning carefully by tasting the vinaigrette before adding to the salad, allowing perfect salt and pepper balance.
• Store leftover toasted bread separately to maintain its crispiness and prevent sogginess when serving later.

Fresh Combo Ideas for Antipasti Dinner Salad

• Vegetarian Antipasti Delight: Replace salami with grilled artichoke hearts, roasted bell peppers, and marinated tofu cubes for a plant-based protein boost.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap basil with fresh oregano and thyme, add sundried tomatoes, and sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Mediterranean Crunch: Introduce pickled jalapeños, swap mozzarella with pepper jack cheese, and add crispy chorizo bits for extra heat and texture.
• Seafood Mediterranean Remix: Substitute salami with seared shrimp or canned tuna, incorporate capers, and drizzle with lemon-infused olive oil for a lighter coastal feel.

What to Serve with Antipasti Dinner Salad

• Elevate Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp Italian Pinot Grigio or Vermentino to complement the salad's bold flavors and cut through the richness of salami and mozzarella.
• Create Bread Companion: Serve the toasted garlic bread alongside a small dish of herbed olive oil for dipping, enhancing the salad's Mediterranean profile and adding extra texture.
• Match Flavor Intensity: Select a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese to balance the salami's saltiness and provide a robust counterpoint to the fresh ingredients.
• Refresh with Sparkling: Add a glass of Prosecco to cleanse the palate between bites, highlighting the salad's bright vinaigrette and providing a festive touch to the meal.

Antipasti Salad Storage Tips You’ll Appreciate

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep bread separate to prevent sogginess.
• Quick Reheat: Warm bread in a toaster or skillet for crispness. Toss salad ingredients gently to redistribute dressing before serving.
• Salad Prep: Avoid adding dressing to entire salad if planning to store. Keep ingredients separate and combine just before eating to maintain freshness.
• Bread Storage: Wrap toasted bread in foil and store at room temperature in a sealed container to preserve crunchiness for 1-2 days.

Antipasti Salad FAQ: All Your Questions Covered

• What ingredients give this Antipasti Dinner Salad its unique flavor profile?

Red wine vinegar creates tangy depth, while salami adds savory richness. The combination of fresh basil, mozzarella, and olives brings Mediterranean brightness to the dish.

• Is this salad considered a complete meal?

Yes, the protein from salami and mozzarella, combined with vegetables and crispy bread, makes this a substantial and balanced dinner option that’s both filling and light.

• Can I substitute any ingredients if I don't have the exact ones?

Absolutely! You can replace radicchio with arugula, swap salami for prosciutto, or use provolone instead of mozzarella. The key is maintaining similar flavor intensities.

• How difficult is this recipe for a home cook?

This Antipasti Dinner Salad is beginner-friendly.

Antipasti Dinner Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this antipasti dinner salad delivers a symphony of tastes from Italy’s culinary landscape. Crisp greens mingle with zesty olives, marinated artichokes, and savory cured meats, creating a delightful ensemble you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 6 ounces (170 grams) deli-sliced hard salami or soppressata, cut into strips
• 8 ounces (226 grams) small mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved

Vegetables and Greens:

• 1 small head radicchio, thinly sliced
• 3 stalks celery, thinly sliced
• 2 romaine lettuce hearts, halved lengthwise
• 10 to 15 fresh basil leaves, sliced if large
• 20 cured black olives (such as kalamata or nicoise), pitted and halved

Dressing and Bread:

• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) red wine vinegar
• 2 large cloves garlic, smashed
• 8 slices rustic Italian bread
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, introducing minced garlic and sautéing until aromatic, approximately 1 minute.
2. Elevate heat to high and toast bread cubes in batches, rotating to achieve golden-brown coloration on all surfaces. Sprinkle with salt once completed.
3. Construct vinaigrette by vigorously whisking red wine vinegar, remaining olive oil, salt, and freshly cracked pepper in a spacious mixing vessel.
4. Incorporate radicchio, celery, salami strips, fresh basil leaves, mozzarella chunks, and briny olives into the dressing, gently coating each ingredient.
5. Arrange romaine halves individually on serving plates, delicately drizzling with additional olive oil and seasoning with salt and pepper.
6. Cascade prepared salad mixture atop romaine wedges, ensuring even distribution and drizzling residual vinaigrette for maximum flavor intensity. Accompany with crisp toasted bread cubes.

Notes

• Toast bread in batches to ensure even golden color and crispy texture without overcrowding the skillet.
• Use fresh, high-quality ingredients like artisanal mozzarella and premium salami for enhanced flavor profile.
• Adjust olive oil quantity based on personal preference or dietary needs, using extra virgin olive oil for richer taste.
• Customize salad by substituting salami with grilled chicken or plant-based protein for vegetarian-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1100 mg
• Fat: 50 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg