Name: Italian Antipasto Salad in a Jar
Ingredients: 1 cup sliced sweet peppers – Adds crunch and a touch of natural sweetness; 1 cup carrots, thinly sliced – Provides crisp texture and color; 1 cup cucumber, chopped – Adds a refreshing, hydrating crunch; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved – Brings juicy freshness and vibrant color; ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced – Adds a sharp, zesty bite; 1 cup green olives; 1 cup black olives; ½ cup pepperoncini – Adds tangy, mild heat; ½ cup marinated artichoke hearts – Contributes a rich, tangy depth of flavor; ½ cup roasted red peppers, sliced – Adds smoky sweetness; ½ cup mozzarella pearls – Adds a creamy, mild contrast to the bold flavors; ½ cup salami, sliced – Brings savory, satisfying richness; ½ cup Italian dressing – Ties every layer together with zesty, herby flavor

Ingredients

Scale

This recipe layers together classic Italian antipasto staples for a salad that’s bursting with color, texture, and bold Mediterranean flavor.

The Vegetables

1 cup sliced sweet peppers – Adds crunch and a touch of natural sweetness
1 cup carrots, thinly sliced – Provides crisp texture and color
1 cup cucumber, chopped – Adds a refreshing, hydrating crunch
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved – Brings juicy freshness and vibrant color
½ cup red onion, thinly sliced – Adds a sharp, zesty bite

The Briny and Marinated Ingredients

1 cup green olives
1 cup black olives
½ cup pepperoncini – Adds tangy, mild heat
½ cup marinated artichoke hearts – Contributes a rich, tangy depth of flavor
½ cup roasted red peppers, sliced – Adds smoky sweetness

The Protein and Cheese

½ cup mozzarella pearls – Adds a creamy, mild contrast to the bold flavors
½ cup salami, sliced – Brings savory, satisfying richness

The Dressing

½ cup Italian dressing – Ties every layer together with zesty, herby flavor

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

The key to a great jar salad lies in the order of the layers. Building it correctly ensures the dressing distributes evenly and the ingredients stay crisp and fresh until you’re ready to eat.

Step 1: Prep all your ingredients first. Before you start layering, take the time to slice, chop, and prepare all of your vegetables, olives, salami, and antipasto ingredients. Having everything ready to go makes the layering process quick and seamless.

Step 2: Start with the dressing. Pour the Italian dressing into the bottom of a clean, large jar. This is the most important step in building a successful jar salad: placing the dressing at the very bottom prevents it from making the more delicate ingredients soggy, since those should be layered toward the top, farthest from the liquid.

Step 3: Layer the hearty vegetables first. On top of the dressing, add the carrots, cucumber, and red onion. These sturdier vegetables can sit in closer contact with the dressing without becoming mushy, and they’ll actually benefit from a bit of extra marinating time.

Step 4: Continue layering. Next, add the sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, and artichoke hearts, followed by the olives and pepperoncini.

Step 5: Add the salami and roasted red peppers. Layer in the sliced salami and roasted red peppers, distributing them evenly throughout the jar.

Step 6: Top with mozzarella. Finish the jar with the mozzarella pearls on top. Keeping the cheese near the top helps preserve its texture and keeps it from absorbing too much dressing before serving.

Step 7: Seal and refrigerate. Seal the jar tightly with its lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the dressing to begin working its way through the layers.

Step 8: Shake or toss before serving. When you’re ready to eat, shake the jar well to distribute the dressing throughout, or pour the entire contents into a bowl and gently toss everything together.

Step 9: Serve chilled. Enjoy this antipasto salad chilled as a side dish, light lunch, picnic salad, BBQ accompaniment, or appetizer straight from the jar.