This Italian broccoli salad is loaded with your favorite Italian hero fillings, like salami, ham, pepperoncini, mozzarella, and provolone. A flavorful make-ahead lunch!
Italian Sub Broccoli Salad
I posted this classic broccoli salad a few weeks ago. This new salad is inspired by an Italian Hero sandwich, turned salad. The bold flavors of an Italian sub come to life in this chopped Italian Broccoli Salad, thanks to broccoli, whose mild flavor doesn’t compete. This adaptable chopped salad packs tons of texture and flavor by combining finely chopped raw broccoli, chickpeas, tomatoes, pepperoncini, mozzarella, provolone, salami, ham, and turkey. It’s all tossed in a red wine vinaigrette that soaks into the florets, only getting better as it sits. Feel free to add your favorite subway meats and toppings to make it your own! For more easy Italian salads, try this Italian Sub Salad with lettuce, Antipasto Salad, and Italian Chopped Salad.
What is Italian broccoli salad made of?
Here’s all the ingredients you will need. See exact directions in recipe card below.
- Red Onion: Thinly slice half a small red onion.
- Broccoli: You’ll need eight cups of broccoli florets from about a pound of broccoli.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Quarter one cup of tomatoes. Grape tomatoes would also work.
- Chickpeas: Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas.
- Mozzarella: Use fresh mozzarella, not pre-shredded.
- Meat: Diced genoa salami, lean deli ham, deli turkey.
- Pepperoncini: Slice pepperoncini and use two tablespoons of brine.
- Broccoli Salad Italian Dressing: Olive oil, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, dried oregano.
How to Make Italian Broccoli Salad
- Vinaigrette: Combine the onions, a quarter cup of olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, oregano, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add the chickpeas, and let the mixture marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Salad: Add the meat, veggies, cheese, pepperoncini, and brine to the dressing, and stir in the remaining oil.
Meal Prep
Broccoli is tender enough to eat raw but sturdy enough that the dish only gets better after it sits and marinates so that you can eat this Italian broccoli salad for half the week. It lasts about 4 days in the refrigerator, so it’s perfect for meal prep.
Variations:
Feel free to add anything you like in your Italian sub sandwiches to this healthy broccoli salad.
- Olives: Add some sliced black olives
- Heat: Mix in some pickled jalapenos for spice.
- More Veggies: Add diced cucumbers, carrots, or roasted red peppers.
- Swap salami for soppressata or prosciutto.
- Swap ham for capicola.
- Lean Meat: Use extra turkey breast and less of the other meats for more lean protein.
- Vegetarian Broccoli Salad: Omit the meat and add more vegetables.
- Vinegar: If you like your Italian sub extra juicy, serve the salad with more red wine vinegar at the table.
More Broccoli Recipes You’ll Love
- Broccoli Salad
- Roasted Broccoli Parmesan
- Shrimp Scampi with Broccoli Orzo
- Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Capers in Lemon
- Pasta with Broccoli, Garlic, and Oil
Italian Sub Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced thin
- 1 pound broccoli florets, chopped into small bite-sized pieces (8 cups)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 15- ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 3 ounces fresh mozzarella, diced or torn
- 3 ounces reduced-fat provolone, diced
- 3 ounces genoa salami, diced
- 3 ounces lean deli ham, diced
- 3 ounces deli turkey, diced
- ½ cup sliced pepperoncini, plus 2 tablespoons of brine
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus 2 teaspoons
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar*
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the onions, 1/4 cup of the olive oil, vinegar, salt, oregano, black pepper, and stir.
- Add the chickpeas and let them sit while you prepare everything else; this will help soften the raw flavor of the onions.
- Toss in the the broccoli, cherry tomatoes, cheeses, salami, turkey, ham, pepperoncini and the brine.
- Stir to combine and add the remaining olive oil and serve right away or keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
very tasteful and filling
Oh my goodness this was amazing! Everyone in the house enjoyed it! Honestly, I have eaten it 3 days in a row and just made another batch for the week! Such great flavor! I did do a slight adjustment by using Mezzetta California Hot Vegetable Mix instead of the pepperoncini just because that’s what I had on hand.
This is a really good recipe. I rolled the recipe exactly. Next time I will add a bit of mustard, as I love mustard on my subs.
We loved this delicious recipe!!! I’m not a big fan of raw broccoli, but the pepperoncini and vinaigrette made all the flavors come together. It will be on repeat this summer!
So good!
Easy to make, delicious, lots of flavor. Will eat this for lunch everyday until it’s finished and make it again!!
I’ve been struggling with lunch menus. It takes too much time, it’s not enough to hold me until dinner so then I end up doing some uncontrolled mid afternoon snacking, it doesn’t store well for multiple days in the fridge, or it just isn’t very tasty. I have medical dietary restrictions that include no eggs, wheat. I like this recipe because it solves all these problems and it tasted absolutely great!!! I think I’ve become a fan of your weekly plan. I have other recipes this week that I think will really answer this problem. AND I’m thrilled with the slow cooker you recommended. THANK YOU, Gina!!
♥ Thank you!
Great salad! Perfect to eat with mediterranean food. Thank you for a great recipe.
I liked this, but I would cut back on the salt and pepperoncini brine if I were going to make it again.
I love this recipe so much! It’s my go to for pot lucks
I love all these flavors together in one dish! It’s a great way to omit bread and still feel full.
Easy, delicious and perfect for summer.
This is absurdly delicious. Perfect meal prepped lunch for hot days!
I made this for a hot Phoenix summer dinner for my family (and portioned out some extra for lunches) and it was fantastic. I love that it can be customizable based on what you have on hand
We meal prep this for lunches often and it’s so goo!
This is a tasty salad. I’ve made it before- today I’ll add a small amount of a small salad-type pasta. I like my pasta salad to be more salad than pasta!
This was awesome! The only thing I regret is not making it sooner! I added Cucumbers and used banana peppers instead of pepperochinis bc that’s what I had on hand! I will be eating this all summer! Thanks!!
This is so delicious! It just gets better the next day.
So, so good!! My broccoli looked meh so I blanched it and it’s beautiful! The flavors are fantastic.
I absolutely am obsessed with this salad!
great!!
What a tasty salad! Love that it holds up over multiple days. Will definitely make again and will likely put it in my potluck rotation.
This is a great recipe. It tastes like an Italian sub and you don’t miss the bread.
We used this recipe for a dinner because our weather this week felt like spring was here and we didn’t want another soup 🙃 my kids and husband LOVED it! Thank you!
Obsessed. So so good! We’ve been on a Mozza salad tear and I love that you created an equally delicious, healthier version. LOVE this and will make often. Thanks, Gina!
Thanks Lisa!
I love this recipe!
This was delicious. Will make again. Perfect for lunch. Hubby approved!
I have every cookbook, but love to scroll through the meal plans to get ideas for the week ahead.
Is there somewhere on the recipe that shares what book it’s in and what page? I am not seeing it, but wondering if I missed it?
Absolutely delicious!
Tasty and colorful! Loved it
This is such a good meal prep for the week! My husband and I LOVE this salad!! tastes exactly like an Italian sub with the crunch of broccoli! Definitely a weekly favorite for us!!
Delicious and filling!
Super easy to make, packed with a lot of flavor, delicious!! I don’t like raw broccoli, but the flavor of it all made it very scrumptious!!
This is so good! It actually dies taste like an Italian sub. Put it in an Hawaii street roll yummy!!!
Delicious- I am participating in your seven day meal plan and I am enjoying this lunch so much. It is tasty and filling too!!
My son took one bite and said ‘wow! This is good! It tastes just like an Italian sub!’
My husband and I love a good Italian sub but don’t always want the bread. This is an absolutely fantastic “sub”-stitute! So good. Thank you!
Another fantastic salad! This is one of the most flavorful salads I’ve ever tried, and definitely colorful. This recipe is a keeper!
Nice hearty salad that leaves you feeling satisfied. SO good!
Excellent salad. I’d never have thought of broccoli in a salad like this, but it was delicious. We had salami left from a charcuterie board, most other ingredients were in the fridge. I did add extra onion and sweet peppers.
This recipe will definitely get saved. Thanks Gina.
AMAZING!
Delicious, keeps well in the fridge, quick to make, & healthy!
Made with broccoli slaw (what I had) and added a touch of greek yogurt for creaminess. Delicious! Hits all the tastebuds like an Italian sub without the heavy carbs!
Delicious! Finally a salad my husband can get behind. I’ll definitely make this again.
Love hubby approval! 🙂
I made this as a healthy option for a Thanksgiving side (along with all the normal ones). There was none left. People loved it. I will definitely make this again. Refreshing with all the heavier items.
Love this and have made it may times!
Make for a large crowd or go to ready made in the fridge for yourself for the week.
So easy to make and so delicious! There are so many textures and colors! Definitely a favorite!
Yumm!
Very good. I made for lunch one day and took to work the next. I used my food processor to chop the broccoli really small so it all mixed together well.
Very good. Even my vegetable tolerating boys liked it
This was just. so. good. Just a heads up, it makes a large recipe.
Oh my word! So good! Added some orange pepper diced and a can of artichoke hearts. Delish!! Made for a week of work lunches so I omitted cheese & tomatoes and added those in the morning when I pack my lunch. Yum!!
Even better the next day!
Excellent
I’ve heard such great reviews of this recipe, and finally prioritized making the recipe! It’s delicious. I was somewhat afraid of the pepperonconi flavor since I avoid them otherwise, but I followed the recipe and was pleasantly surprised! It’s a light spicy heat that is tamed by the other flavors in the dish.
I made the dish last night so the flavors could marinate overnight. If I were to serve it to a crowd I might make an extra amount of the dressing to add just before serving.
This salad is super delicious. Alot of dicing and slicing. But worth it. Ate it for lunches for four days. Plus my husband ate some too. He loved it also. The dressing is so very tasty. I will make it again soon.
Delicious! My family loved it. Could do as a meal or a bbq side
So good! My family loves it!
Meal prep wonder! Stays fresh and delicious for days
This salad is a hit in my household! This is in my summer dinner rotation. I use the brocolli florets to save a little time, sliced banana peppers in lieu of pepperoncini and 2 cans of chickpeas.
I love antipasto salad and this might be even better. Cut my broccoli very small. Had salami and turkey pepperoni so used that for meat. Added green olives because didn’t have enough peppers. If I was going to make for meal prep, I would not mix everything with dressing. 2nd day was good but was starting to get too mushy for me.
This recipe is so good. It gets better everyday. I ate it for lunch four days in a row. I will definitely make this again.
It’s fabulous! Makes a large quantity, great for a potluck!
So looking forward to lunch today! I made this last night and we had a taste…Yum! Based on reviews, I believe it will be even more delicious today…The only changes I made to the original recipe are the addition of black olives and pepperoni instead of genoa salami.
Have a great day everyone! 🙂
The only thing I did differently was to steam the brocoli ever so briefly to bring out the vibrant green. I was missing the provolone and deli turkey but added in pepperoni and Genoa salami with a little extra fresh mozz…Delicious!
Easy to put together. Marinating the onion and chick peas was a genuis idea! This recipe makes it easy to swap out ingredients if you don’t have certain things on hand. My lunch is packed for the week!
Love this salad for a healthy and quick lunch option!
I wasn’t home, and left the ingredients for my husband to make for the family. He did it quickly and easily, and it was extremely tasty. It was a hit with him, me and our teenager. Leftovers for lunches were even better.
Repeat recipe, for sure!! Used what meats and cheeses I had on hand and it was a hit! Even kids liked it! Thanks Gina!!
Perfect!
I didn’t have broccoli on hand so I subbed it for cauliflower. Very good!
This recipe was fantastic! We love Italian subs, in general. This had all the best flavors of a sub, but in a healthy salad. Some in our family can’t eat dairy, so I left out the cheese and increased the deli meat – and it was still perfection! I’m definitely adding this to my potluck rotation because it’s different than other dishes you see at most potlucks. It would also be great to take along camping.
Delicious salad that tastes like a sub, without the bread. Perfect for a picnic.
Loved this recipe but it only made about 8 cups not 12 making the calories higher, i only omitted the onions and chick peas.
Omitting anything will make it less cups. I know it makes 12 as written.
This will most definitely be my new go to passing dish! It is SO good and refreshing! Reminds me of a Jimmy John’s sub if you’re familiar.
So good!!!! It tastes so much like an Italian sub. Really glad no one else in my house likes broccoli so that I don’t have to share!
Making this again for Memorial Day weekend. Even doubling the recipe wouldn’t make it last long in our house! Thanks for an amazing recipe!
Absolutely LOVE this dish! It’s a big hit at parties. I meal prep it for my lunches too with a variety of add-ins based on what sounds good that week. I love having a no-cook option for meal prep lunches. 🙂
This was absolutely delicious! The whole family loved it. Will definitely make it again.
Made a few swaps with what I had on hand, but it was absolutely delicious! Even my 8 year old loved it!
Wonderful, I rarely rarely eat any salami type foods but thought I would give this a try, nice variety of meats and cheeses, made 12 generous cups. Satisfies a longing for eating a sub! Wonderful for a lunch prep or for company. I did use more then a pound of broccoli florets and also blanched broccoli and onion ( to reduce bite, and not fans here of raw) in boiling water a minute or two then in an ice bath and got it dry as possible before proceeding. Cut olive oil to one tab, did add about 75 calories of good olives. We love this one. So glad I tried it. I also like that the measurements of ingredient list are easy to remember-3 ounce and good to go. Perfect seasoning too–light just right.
WOW! I am so happy I made this, I could eat it every day. I made it according to the recipe, but you could modify it in so many ways. I think I’ll add artichoke hearts next time. YUM
Made it exactly as written and it is SO SO good! Loved having it for a quick healthy meal prepped lunch this week. I drizzled a little extra vinegar on top and its delish! Will definitely keep in rotation for a healthy filling lunch this summer.
Delicious! Tastes just like a sandwich from Jersey Mike’s without the bread. I added a can of black olives and it tasted amazing. Thanks!
Do you think blanching the broccoli will hold up?alison
Yes!… I steamed it for 2 minutes in the microwave and then into an ice bath. Drained and added to rexipe. Looks so pretty!
Where has this recipe been all of my life?? I could eat this every day and probably will all summer. Just found my new potluck side dish!
I made this yesterday for a family cookout and it was a huge hit!! There was nothing left! Very good and everyone loved it! Thank you
Delicious! I love the blend of flavors and textures. This is a perfect, fresh lunch
I made this for meal prep this week, but used shelled edamame instead of chickpeas and roasted the broccoli in the oven. It was one of my favorite lunches by far! So delicious!
Made exactly as the recipe states, and it was absolutely delicious! Filling, healthy, flavorful, and pretty quick and easy to assemble! I will absolutely be adding this to my regular lunch rotation.
Made this for lunches for the week. My only substitution was banana pepper slices instead of pepperoncini. So delicious! All the flavors of a great Italian sub but without all the carbs. I will be making this again. Thank you, Gina.
I didn’t have broccoli so added cucumber and & orange pepper instead. So delicious!
Excellent! Very satisfying.
GREAT!
I made this for lunch today and it was delicious! I made some swaps (giardiniera instead of pepperoncini, soppressata for salami). I also omitted the ham and provolone since I didn’t have it on hand. It still turned out great! I will definitely be repeating this recipe!
Perfect!!
So easy and delicious! Skipped the Turkey, husband not a fan. I may try it with rotisserie chicken.
This is delicious! I used a bag of broccoli slaw instead of chopped broccoli, but otherwise followed exactly. The flavors were great!
This is really delicious. My store was out of the pepperocinis so I did without . Used soppresata. Looking forward to my lunches this week! This would also be a great potluck dish… could add pasta and double the dressing to make it feed more.
Very good!! Made without provolone and turkey. Extra mozzarella. Lots of chopping but worth it! Yummy!!
Love the flavors Gina always comes up with! Yet again, another delicious recipe!
Thanks Hannah!
This is a great meal prep salad and easy to put together. I subbed a shallot for the red onion because I like the more mild flavor. I’m excited for my lunches this week, thanks Gina!
Wow!!! Delicious! Made it exactly as written and it’s perfect. Thank you!
Thinking ahead to Easter ham leftovers. This salad will be perfect! Thank you.
This was delicious. I will make this one of my go to meals.
So easy and adaptable. I was tempted to eat it even as I was making this.
Great!!
I have all the ingredients now except the broccoli so I will sub massaged kale.
Will let you know how it turns out.
Hi Gina, this looks delicious and I look forward to making it!
I wanted to mention I saw someone post this recipe on their FB page and they did not mention or tag SkinnyTaste.
Can you email me the link to this?
Delicious salad! I had been looking for a healthy broccoli salad recipe and this one was perfect. Made it for lunch today and my husband and I both loved it!
This looks so delicious but the sodium content is super high for one meal.
I can’t wait to make this. I used to make an all-summer, go to similar salad but using pasta instead of broccoli. I had to give it up because I now eat low carb. I’m excited to try this.
Enjoy!
This is dinner tonight! It’s everything I’m looking for. Good for advance prep, full of plant based foods, with small portions of flavorful meats for my hubby.
Thanks
Enjoy!!
Brine? What kind?
the juice from the jar of the peppers