Antipasto Salad by Pioneer Woman is a classic Italian-inspired salad made with a variety of fresh vegetables, meats, cheeses, and olives. It’s a great way to add some flavor to your lunch or dinner. The salad is usually served cold and can be topped with a light dressing.
More Salad Recipes
Why You Will Love This Salad
- It’s a delicious and flavorful dish that is packed with a variety of different tastes and textures.
- It’s a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.
- It’s a great dish to make ahead of time.
- It’s a healthy dish that can be enjoyed without guilt.
- Perfect for any occasion.

Pioneer Woman Antipasto Salad Ingredients
- Salami
- Pepperoni
- Mozzarella cheese
- Artichokes
- Olives
- Peppers (such as red or yellow bell peppers)
- Red onion
- Lettuce (such as Romaine or mixed greens)
- Vinaigrette dressing (such as a red wine or balsamic vinaigrette)
How To Make Pioneer Woman Antipasto Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the salami, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, artichokes, olives, red bell pepper, and red onion.
- Drizzle vinaigrette dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Arrange the lettuce on a platter or individual plates.
- Spoon the antipasto salad over the lettuce.
How To Store Antipasto Salad
In The Fridge:
- If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To keep the salad fresh, it’s best to store the dressing separately and drizzle it over the salad just before serving.
- It’s best to store it in an airtight container and wrapped with plastic wrap to prevent the salad from drying out.
In The Freezer:
- If you want to freeze the salad, it’s best to do so without the dressing.
- Place the salad in a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag and press out as much air as possible before sealing.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to serve, thaw the salad in the refrigerator overnight.
- Once thawed, add the dressing and toss to combine before serving.
Can I Make Antipasto Salad In Advance
Yes, you can make Antipasto Salad in advance. In fact, it’s a great dish to prepare ahead of time.
Here are a few tips for making it in advance:
- Chop and prepare all of the ingredients ahead of time, but don’t mix them together until you’re ready to serve.
- Store the ingredients separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- If you want to store the salad for a longer time, it’s best to store the dressing separately and drizzle it over the salad just before serving.
- If you’re planning on freezing the salad, it’s best to do so without the dressing. Once thawed, add the dressing and toss to combine before serving.

What To Serve With Antipasto Salad
- Grilled or roasted meats such as chicken, steak, pork or lamb.
- Pasta dishes like spaghetti, fettuccine or lasagna
- Seafood dishes like grilled shrimp, scallops, or fish.
- Pizza: it’s a great topping for a pizza or a side dish with a slice of pizza
- Soups and stews: it can be a topping for a bowl of soup or stew
- Sandwiches: it can be used as a filling for sandwiches like panini or sub
- Crusty bread: it can be served with a loaf of crusty bread for dipping in the dressing.
- Risotto, polenta or gnocchi.
- Quiche or frittatas.
- Grilled or roasted vegetables
Recipe Variations
- Mediterranean Antipasto Salad: This variation includes ingredients such as marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese, in addition to the traditional ingredients. It is a perfect dish for summertime and for those who love Mediterranean flavors.
- Caprese Antipasto Salad: This variation includes adding fresh mozzarella and tomatoes to the salad, giving it a caprese twist. It’s a great option for summertime when tomatoes are in season.
- Greek Antipasto Salad: This variation includes adding Greek ingredients such as cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese. It also uses a Greek vinaigrette dressing, giving it a Greek twist.
- Southwest Antipasto Salad: This variation includes adding southwest ingredients such as black beans, corn, avocado, and cilantro. It also uses a cilantro lime dressing, giving it a southwestern twist.
- Vegetarian Antipasto Salad: This variation includes adding more vegetables and leaving out the meats. It can include ingredients such as roasted red peppers, artichokes, olives, eggplant and marinated mushrooms.
Vegan, Keto, And Gluten-free Version Of Antipasto Salad
- Vegan Antipasto Salad: This variation omits the meats and cheeses and replaces them with plant-based alternatives such as marinated artichokes, roasted red peppers, olives, and vegan mozzarella.
- Keto Antipasto Salad: This variation includes ingredients such as salami, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, artichokes, olives, and peppers, all tossed in a keto-friendly dressing such as a vinaigrette made with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Gluten-free Antipasto Salad: This variation includes ingredients such as salami, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, artichokes, olives, and peppers, all tossed in a gluten-free dressing such as a vinaigrette made with olive oil and lemon juice. It’s important to use gluten-free cured meats and gluten-free bread if serving with bread.
Recipe Substitutes
- Meat Substitutes: If you’re looking for a meat-free option, you can substitute the salami and pepperoni with marinated tofu, tempeh, or seitan. You can also use plant-based meat substitutes such as soy or pea protein-based meat alternatives.
- Cheese Substitutes: If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, you can substitute the mozzarella cheese with vegan mozzarella or a nut-based cheese such as cashew or almond cheese.
- Lettuce Substitutes: If you’re looking for a different greens option, you can substitute the lettuce with arugula, spinach, or mixed greens.
- Olive Substitutes: If you’re looking for a different olive option, you can substitute the olives with capers or pickled vegetables such as pickled onions, pickled cucumbers, or pickled jalapenos.
- Dressing Substitutes: If you’re looking for a different dressing option, you can substitute the vinaigrette dressing with a different type of dressing such as ranch, Caesar, or green goddess.

Other Dressings To Use
- Balsamic vinaigrette: This dressing is made with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings. It gives a sweet and tangy flavor to the salad.
- Lemon dressing: This dressing is made with lemon juice, olive oil, and seasonings. It gives a bright, fresh, and tangy flavor to the salad.
- Greek dressing: This dressing is made with lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and seasonings such as oregano, garlic and Dijon mustard. It gives a Mediterranean flavor to the salad.
- Caesar dressing: This dressing is made with olive oil, garlic, anchovies, egg yolks, and seasonings. It gives a rich and creamy flavor to the salad.
- Ranch dressing: This dressing is made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings such as garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. It gives a creamy and savory flavor to the salad.
- Green goddess dressing: This dressing is made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings such as parsley, chives, and tarragon. It gives a creamy and herby flavor to the salad.
Why Is It Called Antipasto Salad
The term “antipasto” is Italian for “before the meal” and it is traditionally served as an appetizer before the main course. This salad combines many of the same ingredients that are typical of antipasto, such as olives, peppers, and cheese, and so it was given the same name.
Antipasto is a single dish, while antipasti is the plural form of antipasto and refers to a selection of multiple dishes.
More Salad Recipes
Pioneer Woman Antipasto Salad Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
Servings 4
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 300
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 33.7g52%
- Saturated Fat 6.7g34%
- Cholesterol 13mg5%
- Sodium 513mg22%
- Total Carbohydrate 20.7g7%
- Dietary Fiber 4.2g17%
- Sugars 6.7g
- Protein 8.2g17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.