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    Home » Appetizers

    Published May 15, 2022 (Updated Mar 11, 2025) by Heather Bilyeu

    Zesty Italian Antipasto Salad

    5 from 1 review
    4 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links
    Jump to Recipe

    Zesty Italian Antipasto Salad is a great appetizer to have at any gathering. Packed full of all kinds of things with a delicious zesty dressing.

    Zesty Italian Antipasto Salad in a large black bowl with small plates in the background.

    At the beginning of 2022, my mom and I took a trip up to Cincinnati for a day of shopping. The shopping day ended up being a bust so we stopped by Jungle Jims because she had never been.

    And if you haven't either or don't know what I am talking about - OH MAN! You are missing out! It is this insanely large grocery store in the Cincinnati area that has every single kind of food you can imagine. There is an isle for every country, a full section of hot sauce, a regular "American" section, so much wine and cheese, the best produce section - TRULY EVERYTHING! If you are close to one you have to go at some point! And allot several hours to look around - it is like the Ikea of grocery stores!

    We had more success at the grocery store shopping than we did for clothes!

    We were starving and had planned on getting lunch on the way home, but mom had the idea to get some things there and have a little picnic lunch in the car.

    So we grabbed some marinated mozzarella, macaroons, a loaf of jalapeno cheddar bread, some fruit, and this zesty Italian antipasto salad from the deli area.

    And oh my goodness, it felt like some of the best food we had ever eaten! We were tired and hungry which contributed to it, but everything was so so good. And it was just so fun!

    That salad is what inspired this recipe and the marinated mozzarella one too. They were so full of flavor and I couldn't quit eating them. I knew I had to recreate them when I got home.

    This is the perfect appetizer for any dinner party, a great addition to a charcuterie board, or perfect for car picnics everywhere!

    a selfie of me and my mom in the car.
    2 paper plates with a picnic lunch on them.

    Reader Review

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    "Came upon your recipe today coincidentally I will be at Jungle Jim's this evening. Every trip is focused around their antipasto bar/salad. Fortunately I am a local. I will keep your recipe for emergencies!! I've had more than few when they have been sold out. Happy Holidays, Helena"

    - Helena

    Ingredients

    • Calabrese Salame 
    • Italian Dry Salami
    • Provolone Cheese
    • Fresh Mozzarella Balls 
    • Olives 
    • Roasted Red Peppers
    • Red Onion
    • Pepperoncini Peppers
    • Olive Oil
    • Garlic
    • Lemon
    • Basil
    • Thyme
    • Salt
    • Freshly Cracked Pepper
    • Oregano
    • Red Pepper Flakes
    veggies, cheeses, meats, spices and olive oil in clear bowls.

    Instructions

    Do not let the long ingredient list run you off. This is a super easy recipe to toss together. The hardest part is dicing and chopping the meats, cheese's, and veggies!

    1. Dice the salamis into small cubes or into fourths if in a slice. Add to a large serving bowl.
    2. Cut the provolone to around the same size as the diced salami and add it along with the mozzarella balls into the bowl.
    3.  Add the olives, red peppers, red onion, and pepperoncini plus juice to the bowl as well.
    4. In a small bowl add the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. Whisk to combine.
    5. Pour the dressing over the bowl and toss to coat everything.
    6. Place in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to marinade.
    7. Toss once again before serving.
    mixing up Italian salad and dressing in a clear bowl with a spatula.
    Zesty Italian Antipasto Salad in a black bowl with tan cloth next to it.

    More Salad & Appetizer Recipes

    • Hot Bacon & Mustard Spinach Salad
    • Everything Bagel Bites Stuffed with Cream Cheese
    • Easy Marinated Mozzarella Balls
    • Classic Southern Deviled Eggs
    a hand holding a toothpick getting some Zesty Italian Antipasto Salad.
    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    black bowl full of Zesty Italian Antipasto Salad.

    Zesty Italian Antipasto Salad


    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    5 from 1 review

    • Author: Heather Bilyeu
    • Total Time: 40 minutes
    • Yield: 8-10
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Save Recipe Recipe Saved

    Description

    Zesty Italian Antipasto Salad is a great appetizer to have at any gathering. Packed full of all kinds of things with a delicious zesty dressing. 


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 3 Ounces Calabrese Salame 
    • 3 Ounces Italian Dry Salami
    • 3 Ounces Provolone Cheese
    • 3 Ounces Fresh Mozzarella Balls 
    • ¼ Cup Olives  (I like Kalamata olives but you can use your favorite kind)
    • ¼ Cup Roasted Red Peppers
    • ¼ Cup Red Onion
    • 5-8 Pepperoncini Peppers + 2 Tablespoons Juice
    • 3-4 Tablespoons EVOO
    • 2 Garlic Cloves - finely grated
    • Juice of ½ a Lemon
    • 1 Teaspoon Basil
    • 1 Teaspoon Thyme
    • ½ Teaspoon Salt
    • ½ Teaspoon Freshly Cracked Pepper
    • ½ Teaspoon Oregano
    • ¼ Teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes


    Instructions

    1. Dice the salamis into small cubes or into fourths if in a slice. Add to a large serving bowl.
    2. Cut the provolone to around the same size as the diced salami and add it along with the mozzarella balls into the bowl.
    3.  Add the olives, red peppers, red onion, and pepperoncini plus juice to the bowl as well.
    4. In a small bowl add the olive oil, finely grated garlic cloves, lemon juice, and spices. Whisk to combine.
    5. Pour the dressing over the bowl and toss to coat everything.
    6. Place in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to marinade.
    7. Toss once again before serving.

    Notes

    • Store leftovers covered tightly in the fridge for 2 days.
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • 20 minutes:
    • Cook Time: 40 minutes
    • Category: Appetizer
    • Method: Cooking
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 Scoop
    • Calories: 245
    • Sugar: 2.5 g
    • Sodium: 1019.2 mg
    • Fat: 18.5 g
    • Carbohydrates: 7.2 g
    • Fiber: 3.2 g
    • Protein: 14 g
    • Cholesterol: 31.6 mg

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @fuelingasouthernsoul on Instagram and hashtag it #fuelingasouthernsoul

    Please rate and review below!

    Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes
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    Filed Under: Appetizers, Italian, Salads, Summer, SuperBowl/Tailgate

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Thank you so much for making this recipe and taking time out of your day to leave a star rating and comment review. I do not take it for granted and I appreciate you being here and sharing your thoughts on the recipe with me!

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      Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

    1. Helena Roden says

      December 22, 2022 at 5:20 pm

      Came upon your recipe today coincidentally I will be at Jungle Jim's this evening. Every trip is focused around their antipasto bar/salad. Fortunately I am a local. I will keep your recipe for emergencies!! I've had more than few when they have been sold out. Happy Holidays, Helena

      Reply
      • Heather Bilyeu says

        January 04, 2023 at 12:30 am

        Yes! I am so jealous you're close to Jungle Jim's - I love that place so much! The antipasto bar is the best!

        Reply
    2. Mollyann says

      August 03, 2024 at 10:38 pm

      My mom used to make this for our big family, years ago. Mom always used fresh herbs and added green beans.
      It always brings back fond memories of us around the table making this salad a meal with freshly baked bread, slathered with butter.

      Reply
      • Heather Bilyeu says

        August 15, 2024 at 1:24 pm

        Oh I love hearing this Mollyann - thank you for sharing 💗

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Heather! Grab a glass of wine, a blanket, and a cozy seat on your back porch. I am so glad you are here! Born and raised in Kentucky and with proper southern roots, my love for entertaining and hospitality runs deep within my soul. There is nothing that I love more than having people around my table and loving them through food and drink!

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