New Orleans Muffuletta Salad (Printable)
Hearty New Orleans salad packed with olives, cured meats, cheeses, and fresh herbs, ideal for a tasty lunch.
# What You Need:
→ Olive Relish
01 - 1 cup mixed pitted olives (green and black), chopped
02 - 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
03 - 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped
04 - 2 tablespoons celery, finely diced
05 - 2 tablespoons pepperoncini, chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Salad
11 - 6 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
12 - 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
13 - 1/2 cup provolone cheese, cubed
14 - 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
15 - 1/2 cup salami, sliced into strips
16 - 1/2 cup mortadella or ham, sliced into strips
17 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
→ Optional Garnish
18 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
19 - Crusty Italian bread (omit for gluten-free)
# Directions:
01 - Combine all olive relish ingredients in a medium bowl. Stir thoroughly and set aside to allow flavors to meld while preparing the salad components.
02 - Arrange chopped romaine lettuce in a large salad bowl. Evenly distribute grape tomatoes, provolone, mozzarella, salami, mortadella or ham, and red onion across the lettuce.
03 - Spoon the prepared olive relish evenly over the salad surface, ensuring good distribution across all ingredients.
04 - Gently toss the salad to combine all ingredients with the relish, or serve as a composed salad with relish layered on top. Garnish with torn fresh basil leaves if desired and accompany with crusty Italian bread slices.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Its like deconstructing your favorite deli sandwich into something lighter but still incredibly satisfying
- The olive relish gets better as it sits, making this perfect for meal prep or make-ahead lunches
02 -
- The olive relish needs at least 15 minutes to meld, but honestly, make it a day ahead if you can
- Don't skip the crusty bread on the side unless you have to, because mopping up that relish with bread is half the joy
03 -
- Buy your olives from the olive bar at the grocery store instead of jarred ones for better quality and variety
- Let the cubed cheese come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor