New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich (Print version)

Bold layers of olive salad, halal deli meats, and cheese on round Italian bread create a flavorful sandwich.

# What you need:

→ Bread

01 - 1 large (8-inch) round Italian loaf or ciabatta, sliced horizontally

→ Olive Salad

02 - 1 cup green olives, pitted and roughly chopped
03 - 1 cup black olives, pitted and roughly chopped
04 - 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, diced
05 - 1/3 cup pickled giardiniera, chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons capers, drained
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/3 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
09 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Meats & Cheeses (Halal-certified)

13 - 5 ounces halal smoked turkey breast, thinly sliced
14 - 5 ounces halal beef pastrami or roast beef, thinly sliced
15 - 3.5 ounces halal beef salami, thinly sliced
16 - 6 slices provolone cheese
17 - 6 slices mozzarella cheese

# Directions:

01 - Combine green olives, black olives, roasted red peppers, giardiniera, capers, garlic, parsley, olive oil, vinegar, oregano, and black pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly and allow to rest for 10 minutes for flavors to meld.
02 - Slice the bread horizontally and remove excess soft center to create space for fillings.
03 - Spread half the olive salad evenly over the bottom half of the bread. Top with half the cheese slices.
04 - Layer all sliced meats evenly over the cheese.
05 - Top with remaining cheese slices, then spread remaining olive salad over cheese.
06 - Place top bread half over fillings and press down gently.
07 - Wrap sandwich tightly in parchment or foil and rest under weight for 20-30 minutes for flavors to meld.
08 - Slice into wedges and serve immediately.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The olive salad alone becomes your new secret weapon for elevating any sandwich or even grilled chicken
  • Make it ahead and let those bold flavors marry together—the sandwich actually tastes better after resting
  • Feeds a crowd beautifully and turns an ordinary lunch into something that feels like an event
02 -
  • Scooping out excess bread interior is not optional—it is what keeps the sandwich structurally sound and every bite balanced
  • The resting period under weight transforms this from a piled sandwich into something cohesive and sliceable
  • Use a serrated knife and gentle sawing motion to avoid squishing all your beautiful layers while cutting
03 -
  • Chop the olives and vegetables uniformly so every bite has the same texture distribution
  • Room temperature ingredients meld better than cold ones, so take everything out about 30 minutes before assembling

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