Dinner

Italian Sub Salad Two Ways Recipe

Name: Italian Sub Salad Two Ways Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup cucumber, diced; 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup sliced black olives; 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped; 1 cup diced salami; 1 cup diced ham; 1 cup provolone cheese, cubed; 1/4 cup red wine vinegar; 1/4 cup olive oil; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste

Byluca Carter January 21, 2026January 21, 2026

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Introduction

The Italian Sub Salad is a vibrant and satisfying dish that brings the flavors of a classic Italian sandwich into a refreshing salad form. Packed with crisp vegetables, savory meats, and tangy dressing, it’s perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner.

A round white plate filled with a colorful layered salad on a white marbled surface. The base layer is made of green lettuce leaves that cover the plate. On top, there are chopped purple onions on the bottom left, light pink chunks of ham or meat below the onions, and fresh cucumber cubes on the bottom right. Above the cucumbers are roasted red bell peppers, and above the onions on the left, there are chunks of white cheese with blue veins. In the center are dark purple olives, surrounded by halved cherry tomatoes and slices of dark red sausage. A small bunch of fresh green basil leaves sits in the middle. The textures vary from crispy lettuce, soft cheese, juicy tomatoes, to firm cucumber and meat. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup sliced black olives
1 cup diced salami

1 cup diced ham
1 cup provolone cheese, cubed
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Begin by preparing all the vegetables. Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Rinse and halve the cherry tomatoes. Peel and dice the cucumber. Peel and thinly slice the red onion. Add all of these vegetables to the bowl with the romaine.
Step 3: Next, add the sliced black olives, diced salami, diced ham, cubed provolone cheese, and roasted red peppers to the salad mixture.
Step 4: To make the dressing, combine the red wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Whisk together until well blended.

Step 5: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Step 6: Before serving, sprinkle the chopped fresh basil on top for added flavor and a fresh touch.
Step 7: Serve immediately for a vibrant and hearty dish, or refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Tips & Variations

Use pepperoncini or banana peppers for a spicy kick.
Substitute provolone with mozzarella or cheddar for a different cheese flavor.
For a vegetarian version, omit the meats and add chickpeas or artichoke hearts.

Storage

Store the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate if possible to prevent sogginess. When ready to eat, toss the salad again and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes for the best flavor. Leftovers reheat best when served cold or at room temperature.

How to Serve

The image shows a white round plate filled with a colorful salad arranged in separate sections. Starting from the top, there are bright red cherry tomatoes next to slices of dark red chorizo. On the right side, there are roasted red peppers with a shiny texture. Below that, there are small pieces of light green cucumber. At the bottom, there are chunks of pink cooked meat. To the left of the meat, there are small purple onion pieces. Above the onion, there are white cubes of cheese with blue veins. In the center of the plate, a small bunch of fresh green basil leaves sits on a bed of light green lettuce leaves. The plate is set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time and store them separately. Add the dressing and fresh basil just before serving to keep the salad crisp.