Description
Italian Hoagie Salad brings the iconic flavors of an Italian deli sandwich into a fresh, crunchy salad form. Packed with crisp romaine lettuce, savory salami and ham, creamy provolone cheese, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tangy banana peppers, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing, this salad is perfect for a quick lunch, meal prep, or a satisfying low-carb dinner.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 4 oz sliced salami, cut into strips
- 4 oz deli ham, cut into strips
- 4 oz provolone cheese, cubed or sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup banana pepper rings, drained
- 1/3 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Italian Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon honey (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, optional honey, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is emulsified and well combined.
- Prep the Lettuce: Wash and dry the romaine lettuce thoroughly, then chop it into bite-sized pieces for easy eating and distributing flavors.
- Assemble the Salad Base: Place the chopped lettuce in a large salad bowl to form the foundation of the salad.
- Add the Toppings: Layer in the sliced salami, ham, provolone cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, banana pepper rings, and sliced black olives evenly over the lettuce.
- Season the Salad: Sprinkle dried oregano and freshly ground black pepper over the assembled ingredients for an added depth of flavor.
- Dress and Toss: Pour the prepared Italian dressing over the salad just before serving to prevent sogginess. Toss thoroughly to ensure all components are lightly coated and flavors meld together.
- Serve: Serve immediately for optimal freshness and crunch. Optionally, garnish with extra banana peppers or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Customize the meats by substituting capicola, pepperoni, or turkey for variety.
- Use either mozzarella or provolone cheese depending on your preferred Italian deli cheese flavor.
- For a low-sodium option, choose reduced-sodium deli meats and rinse the banana peppers before adding.
- Add chickpeas or white beans for added fiber and to create a meat-free salad variation.
- If making ahead, keep the dressing separate to maintain salad freshness and prevent wilting.
- Store undressed salad ingredients in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salads, Lunch, Dinner
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
