Antipasto Salad

When you’re craving something fresh, hearty, and full of bold flavors, an antipasto salad is always a great choice. But we’re not talking about just any salad—this version is served in a crispy Azteca salad shell and loaded with savory meats, cheeses, marinated veggies, and a punchy homemade dressing.

This Antipasto Salad featuring Buddig Original and Premium Deli Meats brings all the flavor of an Italian deli platter, all packed into a crispy edible bowl. It’s easy to make, loaded with texture, and perfect for entertaining or elevating your weekly meal plan.

Why You’ll Love This Antipasto Salad

• Served in a Crispy Shell: Azteca Crispy Salad Shells make this a fun and flavorful presentation.
• Bold, Balanced Flavors: From sharp provolone to tangy giardiniera and savory meats, this salad is anything but boring.
• Quick & Easy: Despite the gourmet look, this meal comes together in under 30 minutes.
• Perfect for Guests: Whether it’s game day or a family dinner, this dish always impresses.

The Inspiration Behind the Recipe

Antipasto, which means “before the meal” in Italian, typically refers to a platter of cured meats, cheeses, pickled veggies, and olives. This version takes all of that flavor and turns it into a hearty, layered salad—no cooking required other than crisping up the Azteca shells.

By combining Buddig Ham, Roast Beef, and Turkey with fresh romaine, roasted red peppers, giardiniera, and cheese, this dish becomes a full-on meal that’s fresh, filling, and bursting with Italian-inspired flavor.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this crave-worthy salad:

For the Salad:

• 1 package Azteca Crispy Salad Shells
• 8 oz Buddig Original Ham or Premium Deli Smoked Ham, sliced into ½" strips
• 8 oz Buddig Original or Premium Deli Roast Beef, sliced into ½" strips
• 8 oz Buddig Original or Premium Deli Oven-Roasted Turkey, sliced into ½" strips
• 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup roasted red bell peppers, diced into ½" pieces
• 8 oz (1 cup) mild giardiniera peppers, well-drained (reserve oil for dressing)
• 4 oz provolone cheese, sliced into ½" strips
• 4 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into ½" cubes

For the Dressing:

• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Reserved giardiniera oil (add olive oil as needed to make ~2 oz total)
• ½ oz Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste

How to Make It

Step 1: Prepare the Salad Shells

Follow the package instructions for Azteca Crispy Salad Shells to bake them until golden and crisp. Set aside to cool.

Step 2: Make the Balsamic Giardiniera Vinaigrette

In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Slowly drizzle in giardiniera oil, whisking to emulsify. Add olive oil if needed to reach 2 oz total liquid. Season with salt to taste.

Step 3: Build the Salad Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped romaine, roasted red peppers, giardiniera, half of the meats, half of the cheeses, and half of the vinaigrette. Toss until everything is evenly coated and mixed.

Step 4: Assemble the Shells

Divide the salad evenly between your crispy Azteca shells. Top each one with the remaining Buddig meats and cheeses, arranging them for a beautiful presentation. Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette over the top just before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Go Spicy: Use spicy giardiniera for an extra kick.
• Add Olives: Kalamata or green olives make a salty, briny addition.
• More Veggies: Feel free to add artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, or thinly sliced red onion.
• Make it Low Carb: Serve the salad in bowls or lettuce cups instead of the crispy shells.

Perfect for Any Occasion

This Buddig antipasto salad in a crispy shell makes a statement whether you're hosting brunch, prepping for a picnic, or just trying to level up your lunch game. It’s an ideal combination of convenience and flavor, combining quality Buddig deli meats with fresh veggies, bold cheese, and a zesty vinaigrette, all tied together in a crunchy edible bowl.

A Flavorful Twist on a Classic

Antipasto is all about variety and flavor, and this recipe brings both in spades. With the crisp freshness of the lettuce, the creamy cheese, the rich deli meats, and the tangy kick of giardiniera, every bite is balanced and bold. And the Azteca Crispy Salad Shells take it over the top.



Whether you're planning for guests or treating yourself to something different, this Antipasto Salad featuring Buddig Lunch Meat is one you'll want to come back to again and again.