12 Recipes That Make the Most of Salty, Savory Salami

Put salami to work in everything from salads and crispy appetizers to pasta and fried rice.

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Wedge Salad Recipe
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Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Barrett Washburne

Salami — a stalwart feature of many a charcuterie board, beach sandwich, and party sub alike — is a cured, dried meat that doesn’t always get the love it deserves. The process of making salami dates back centuries, when refrigeration wasn’t available; salt curing helps draw out moisture and preserve the meat, while air-drying further reduces moisture and develops flavor. The term comes from the Italian salame, and in the American vernacular, salami usually refers to European cured meats, particularly Italian varieties like finocchiona and soppressata, though similar cured sausages are made around the world. Whatever the variety, though delicious and hearty when sandwiched between two slices of soft white bread, there are other ways to eat meaty salami. Whether tossed onto a pizza or into an unconventional fried rice, the possibilities are endless.

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01 of 12

Loaded Antipasto Dip

Loaded Antipasto Dip

Morgan Hunt Ward / Food Styling by Julian Hensarling / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong

The legendary Italian sub gets reimagined as a crowd-pleasing party dip. This 15-minute masterpiece stars a crave-worthy medley of crisp marinated veggies, velvety fresh mozzarella, and savory, rich salami. For the best texture, pull the mozzarella from the fridge 15 minutes before assembling to let the cheese temper.

02 of 12

Italian Wedge Salad

Wedge Salad Recipe

Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Barrett Washburne

Salty soppressata, meet spicy ranch. Loaded with tangy peperoncini, briny olives, juicy cherry tomatoes, and garlicky croutons, this bold upgrade turns a basic wedge salad into an absolute showstopper.

03 of 12

Baked “Pizza” Pasta with Soppressata

Baked “Pizza” Pasta with Soppressata

Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Pizza night meets pasta night in this dish filled with mozzarella and savory soppressata. For even more pizzeria-style flair, drizzle the finished bake with hot honey.

04 of 12

Charcuterie Rice Paper Chips

Charcuterie Rice Paper Chips

Food & Wine / Photo by Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen

Move over, baguette. Crispy, air-fried rice paper chips are the new favorite vessel for salami and cheese. Make them in under 30 minutes for your next charcuterie spread.

05 of 12

Italian Grinder Pasta Salad

Italian grinder pasta salad

Food & Wine / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Christina Daley / Prop Styling by Torie Cox

All the iconic flavors of a classic Italian grinder, transformed into a big, shareable bowl. This pasta salad pulls together the ultimate lineup: sharp provolone, tangy peperoncini, and savory salami, all tossed in a punchy red wine vinegar and mayo dressing.

06 of 12

Gigante Beans with Sausage

Gigante Beans with Sausage

Greg DuPree / Food Styling by Chelsea Zimmer / Prop Styling by Abby Armstrong

Creamy gigante beans soak up a savory chicken broth flavored with crushed tomatoes, the dry-cured Italian pork sausage soppressata, and Parmesan rinds for this satisfying slow cooker dish.

07 of 12

Hawaiian Pizza with Pineapple and Salami

Hawaiian New York Pizza
Bella Graves

Though Hawaiian pizza — however you may feel about it — typically uses ham to complement sweet pineapple, here, salty Genoa salami takes the stage. Mild mozzarella tempers the bold flavors, resulting in a beautifully balanced pie. (For a pineapple-free salami pie, try our Soppressata Pizza with Calabrian Chiles and Hot Honey instead.)

08 of 12

Potato, Salami, and Cheese Frittata

Potato, Salami, and Cheese Frittata
© Christina Holmes

A frittata is pretty game for whatever add-ins you want, so why not chop up some leftover salami and toss it into the eggy mix? This frittata is loaded with tangy goat cheese and tender potatoes to complement the savory meat, perfect for a hearty breakfast or lunch.

09 of 12

Antipasto Salad with Bocconcini and Green Olive Tapenade

Antipasto Salad with Bocconcini and Green-Olive Tapenade

Greg DuPree

In 2018, Food & Wine named this recipe from legendary chef Nancy Silverton as one of our all-time best. The salad combines crisp iceberg lettuce, creamy balls of mozzarella, spicy-tangy peperoncini, salty olives, and savory salami into a celebration of robust flavor, thrilling texture, and all-around delight. 

10 of 12

Charcuterie Fried Rice

Charcuterie Fried Rice
David Cicconi

F&W’s Justin Chapple breathes new life into leftover rice by stir-frying it with salami and mortadella. Fresh ginger, lime juice, cilantro, and scallions add bright notes to the deeply savory meal.

11 of 12

Classic Cheese Fondue

Classic Cheese Fondue
© Rob Howard

Two iconic cheeses — Gruyère and Emmentaler, both classic Swiss varieties — and two distinct spirits — crisp white wine and cherry kirsch — star in this gooey, melty dip. Chef Ryan Hardy loves using slices of salami and cured meats as vehicles for all that cheesy goodness.

12 of 12

Salami and Egg Mishmash

Salami-and-Egg Mishmash
© Con Poulos

“I do love breakfast for dinner — for the record, I highly recommend it,” says chef Noah Bernamoff, co-owner of New York City’s Black Seed Bagels. Give this dish of scrambled eggs with strips of fried salami and watercress a try any time of day.

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