What Is Salami and How Can I Use It?
Salami rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 57 recipes to cook with it.
Key Points
- Fermented, dry-cured sausage of ground meat and fat; tangy, salty, ready to eat cold.
- A broad family: Genoa, finocchiona, soppressata, pepperoni, mostly pork but sometimes beef.
- Slice thin for boards and subs; chop fine to season quiches and pasta salad.
- Swap freely within the family; pancetta or bacon covers a cooking role only.
- Whole dry salami keeps weeks at cool room temp; refrigerate and use cut pieces within a week.
What is salami?
Salami is cured sausage made from ground meat and fat, seasoned with salt and spice, packed into a casing and left to ferment and dry until firm. The fermentation gives it that signature tang, and the drying concentrates the flavor and lets it keep for months without refrigeration.
Most salami you meet is fully dry-cured and ready to eat, never cooked.
The word covers a huge family, from coarse Genoa and fennel-flecked finocchiona to spicy soppressata and the all-American pepperoni. The meat is usually pork, sometimes beef or a mix, occasionally venison or wild boar.
What unites the family is the method: salt and time and good mold doing slow work in a cool cellar.
Cooking and Serving
Most of the time you don't cook salami at all. It is at its best sliced thin and eaten cold, where the cure and the fat carry all the flavor on their own.
Salami anchors an antipasto board and a good Italian sub, layered with provolone and pickled vegetables in something like Mom's Big Sub Sandwich or a Circular Italian Sandwich.
Chop it small and it becomes a seasoning rather than the star. Stir diced salami into Impossible Bisquick Quiche Tarts or a Tomato- Salami Quiche, or fold it through a Deli-Style Pasta Salad for salty, fatty bite in every forkful.
When you do heat it, keep it brief. A quick sear crisps the edges and renders some fat, but long cooking makes it leathery and pushes the salt too far.
Pairing and Common Mistakes
Salami wants contrast. Set it against tangy mustard, sharp cheese, and a little acid from olives or pepperoncini, all of which cut through the rich fat.
The usual mistake is slicing it too thick. Salami is dense and salty, so thick coins turn rubbery and overwhelming. Aim for thin, almost translucent slices that bend over your finger.
The other trap is treating every salami as interchangeable. A delicate finocchiona belongs on a board where its fennel can show, while a hard, sharp Genoa stands up better inside a sandwich or a baked dish.
A white powdery bloom on the casing is normal, edible mold, not spoilage. Peel the casing if you prefer, but the bloom itself is a good sign.
Substitutes
Within the family, swaps are easy. Trade Genoa for soppressata, pepperoni for a spicy dry salami, or any one for another and adjust for heat and fat. The role on the plate barely changes.
Reach outside the family and you give something up.
Prosciutto or capicola brings cured pork flavor to a board but lacks the fermented tang and the ground texture. Summer sausage is softer and more smoky than tangy.
For a cooking role where you mostly want salty, fatty pork, pancetta or even cooked bacon stands in, though you lose the spice and the cure's sour note.
Buying and Storing Salami
Buy it whole and sliced to order when you can; a freshly cut slice beats a sealed tray for both texture and aroma. The cut face should look moist and evenly marbled, not dried out or gray at the rim.
A whole, uncut dry salami needs no refrigeration and keeps for weeks in a cool, airy spot, since drying is exactly what preserves it. Once you cut into it, wrap the cut end and refrigerate.
Sliced salami dries and stiffens fast. Press wrap right against the cut face and use it within a week or so, and treat pre-sliced sealed packs the same once you open them.
You can freeze salami, but the texture softens and the fat can turn grainy, so it is better kept dry and cool than frozen.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 oz (28g)Quick facts
Where to find salami: Salami is usually found in the deli section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
Food group: Salami is a member of the Sausages and Luncheon Meats US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.
- In Chinese
- 意大利腊肠
- British (UK) term
- Salami
- en français
- salami
- en español
- salami
How much does salami weigh?
| Amount | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 ounce | 28 grams |
| 1 slice (4" dia x 1/8" thick) (10 per 8 oz package) | 23 grams |
Related
Sausages and Luncheon Meats
Recipes using salami
There are 57 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Joegie Sub Sandwich
Capocollo, salami, and provolone stack on a crusty Italian sub roll with crisp lettuce, fresh tomatoes, hot peppers, and a drizzle of Italian dressing for a classic deli-style sandwich in 10 minutes.
The Mr. Turkey Sandwich
Quick, easy and delicious. I only had salami, and that's what I used in the sandwich. Of course a slice of ham and smoked turkey would double the yumminess. I shredded the lettuce, and seasoned it with a bit extra-virgin olive oil, wine vinegar, salt and black pepper. The tomato slices were also seasoned with a pinch of sea salt. The sandwich was so good!
Nancy's Fabulous Muffaletta Sandwiches
New Orleans muffaletta: a round Italian loaf piled with salami, mortadella, prosciutto, and provolone, soaked with a briny green olive salad. The classic Sicilian-Creole deli sandwich, made for sharing.
Circular Italian Sandwich
Multiple layers of Italian flavour. Salami, roasted peppers, eggplant and cheese sandwiched in between crusty Italian bread.
Potato Salami Cake
You will be hooked by this delicious and soufflé-like potato salami cake. Its airy and creamy texture is to die for. Salami adds a layer of deliciousness.
Antipasto #1
Eat heartily, accompanied by much loud Italian conversation. In fact, I typed this accompanied by much loud Italian conversation. My parents were here, and both were shouting instructions over my shoulder. They disagreed about the arrangement of the lettuce - my mother said that the hole in the middle of the platter was necessary; my father insisted that it wasn't, saying you can just dump the tuna on top of the lettuce. I finally had to give up on this reply until they went home. So now, in the peace and quiet of the aftermath, I've finished it. Hope you had a wonderful holiday.
Cheese Salami Croissants
Flavourful salami and cheese wrapped in a warm buttery croissant. A quick and easy snack or light lunch.
Brussels Sprouts & Salami Pasta with Pine Nuts
This simply delicious dish takes no time to make, and it's an excellent way to add some nutrition-packed veggies and nuts into your diet.
Deli Stuffed Calzone
A cheesy pizza pocket stuffed with 3 kinds of cheese, spinach, tomatoes, olives and salami.
Muffuletta Sandwich
Hard to go wrong with a Muffuletta sandwich. It was easy and simple to assemble, and it was packed with flavour.
Muffelatta Sandwich
This sandwich absolutely deserves 5 star! It was so quick and easy to put together, and it was packed with flavour. We omitted the anchovies, used Swiss cheese, otherwise followed the recipe. If you are looking for a crowd-pleasing sandwich, this is the one!
Deli-Style Pasta Salad
Chock full of Italian inspired ingredients. This pasta salad is sure to please.
Easy Brunch Italian Quiche
A quick and easy quiche, perfect for breakfast or brunch. It was quite rich and flavourful. We had it with a bowl of fresh and light salad that helped cut through the richness and it worked very well.
Mom's Big Sub Sandwich
That's right, I have a recipe for a sub sandwich. You may ask yourself why it is necessary. Its because its the best sandwich and a huge crowd pleaser! Trust me.
Easter Pie (pizza piena)
In central Italy, from Umbria to Marches, the Easter Pie is more of a bread than a pie and is known as "torta di pasqua" or "pizza di pasqua.
Impossible Bisquick Quiche Tarts
Made these quiche tarts for Sean last week, and he absolutely loved these mini savoury tarts. I made my own biscuit baking mix (see the link below), and followed the recipe exactly. These tarts are good to freeze as well. Whenever feeling hungry, pop one or two into microwave. Definitely a keeper!
Dunkley's Famous Macaroni Salad
This well endowed cheesy macaroni salad recipe is packed with flavor and sized to feed a crowd.
Crusty Fettucine
Old-school Italian baked fettuccine tossed with meat sauce and diced salami, then baked in schmaltz until a golden crust forms on all sides. Optional raisins, almonds, and pine nuts add Sicilian flair.
Transylvanian Nosh
Open-faced appetizer bites with Hungarian salami, hard-boiled egg, feta, dill pickles, kalamata olives, and shredded Jarlsberg on buttered bread. A no-cook Eastern European party platter ready in 20 minutes.
Filibuster Sandwiches
Filibuster sandwiches stacked with salami, bologna, Swiss, coleslaw, pickles, and horseradish on onion rolls. A deli-style piled-high sandwich with zippy horseradish and crunchy slaw.
Quiche Alla Roma
Quiche alla Roma layers cheddar, onion, sliced tomatoes, green pepper, salami, and oregano in a flaky pastry shell. An Italian-American twist on the French classic for brunch, lunch, or a light dinner.
Supreme Style Pizza
Supreme style pizza stacks a ready-made Boboli crust with pizza sauce, provolone, mozzarella, pepperoni, salami, bacon, and black olives. A quick weeknight pizza that delivers full pizza-shop flavor in 15 minutes.
Traditional Pizza Rustica with Italian Meats & Mint
Traditional Pizza Rustica with Italian Meats and Mint recipe
Grilled Pizza Sandwiches
Grilled pizza sandwiches with salami, cheese, pizza sauce, and garlic powder on buttered bread. A crispy, melty pizza-meets-grilled-cheese hybrid ready in 20 minutes.
Pizza Rustica with Roasted Red Peppers & Provolone
Pizza Rustica with Roasted Red Peppers and Provolone recipe
Cheesy Stuffed Meat Loaf
Italian-style stuffed meatloaf rolls ground beef around hard-boiled eggs, salami, ham, mozzarella, and parmesan, then simmers in tomato sauce. A classic polpettone showstopper.
Muffuletta with Garden Olive Salad
Elaborate muffuletta with homemade olive salad loaded with roasted red peppers, jalapeños, fresh vegetables, and oregano. Broiled until the cheese melts for a hot, gourmet sandwich experience.
Pizza Salad
Too good to be true? Well the combination of pizza and salad does create a scrumptious dish that you will love!
Tomatoe-Cheese Calzones
Tomato-cheese calzones stuffed with melty mozzarella, tangy goat cheese, salami, and sundried tomatoes, folded into golden, individual pizza pockets. A gourmet twist on the classic calzone, baked until well-browned.
Classic New Orleans Muffuletta
Traditional muffuletta sandwich with salami, ham, provolone, and olive salad piled on a round crusty loaf. New Orleans street food legend that feeds four with simple, bold flavors.
Muffallatas & Olive Dressing
Muffaletta sandwich with Italian salami, ham, provolone, and American cheese on round bread, served warm with a tangy New Orleans olive salad dressing. A French Quarter classic.
Cheesy Sausage Stuffed Pork Tenderloin (New Year's Eve)
Butterflied pork tenderloin stuffed with spinach, smoked cheddar, and chorizo, then seared and roasted until juicy. This show-stopping stuffed pork is ready in under an hour and worthy of any celebration.
Salami Pizza Quiche
Salami pizza quiche combines pizza flavors with a creamy egg custard: minced salami and mozzarella in a pie crust with oregano and garlic, topped with hot pizza sauce.
Hot & Hearty Heroes
Giant stuffed hero sandwich baked in homemade dough with layers of ham, salami, Swiss, cheddar, sauteed peppers and onions, and Dijon mustard. A party-sized hot sub that feeds a crowd.
Brady Bunch Party Pizza
A loaded meat-lovers pizza piled with pepperoni, salami, Italian sausage, black olives, and two cheeses on a ready-made crust. Easy enough for the whole bunch.
Delicious Breakfast Frittata
This is a delicious frittata which can be had as a healthy breakfast or lunch.
Open-Faced Submarine Sandwiches
Open-faced sub sandwiches on toasted English muffins with salami, lettuce, tomato, onion rings, basil, and melted American cheese. Broiled 5 minutes for a quick hot lunch.
New Potatoes with Salami & Sorrel
Warm new potato salad with thinly sliced salami, fresh sorrel ribbons, and a mustard-coriander seed dressing. A European-style potato salad served while still warm.
Grilled Italian Shrimp
Grilled Italian shrimp and salami skewers served warm over fresh mozzarella with a balsamic vinaigrette drizzle and fresh basil. Antipasto on a plate, ready in about 20 minutes from the grill.
Salami Roll-Ups
Salami roll-ups with cream cheese, avocado, tomato, and lettuce in flour tortillas. No-cook appetizer sliced into pinwheels, perfect for parties. Make ahead and chill.
Italian Envelopes
Italian envelopes are fried wonton wrappers stuffed with ricotta, salami, mozzarella, and oregano, topped with Parmesan. A crispy, cheesy Italian-Asian fusion appetizer.
Pizza Quiche
Pizza quiche loaded with Italian sausage, pepperoni, ham, salami, ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan in a double-crust pie shell with an egg wash top.
Strombolis
Stromboli stuffed with ham, salami, provolone, and mozzarella in frozen bread dough with Italian herbs. Golden, buttery, and ready in 35 minutes. Serve with marinara.
California Chef's Salad
Classic chef's salad piled high with salami, cubed turkey, tomato wedges, cucumbers, and mixed greens. Served with a zesty homemade Thousand Island dressing on the side.
Antipasto Salad with Garlic Dressing
This salad is pretty hardy, but to turn it into a main dish salad, just add pasta shells, bows, or tortellini.
Cannelloni (Stuffed Pasta)
Add some fun to dinner with this scrumptious dish that's fun to make and enjoy!
Super Yummy Stromboli
Italian stromboli with ham, salami, provolone, pepperoni, and mushrooms wrapped in a braided bread loaf. Made easy with frozen bread dough, baked golden, and sliced like a pizza loaf.
Stromboli(Stuffed Bread)
Italian stromboli stuffed with salami, capicola, provolone, and mozzarella in rolled bread dough. A Dijon mustard layer and oregano add a sharp, herby kick.
More salami recipes
- Cannelloni (Stuffed Pasta)
- Cheesy Stuffed Meat Loaf
- Classic New Orleans Muffuletta
- Delicious Breakfast Frittata
- Gourmet Stromboli
- Grilled Pizza Sandwiches
- Muffallatas & Olive Dressing
- Muffuletta with Garden Olive Salad
- Pizza Rustica with Roasted Red Peppers & Provolone
- Pizza Salad
- Strombolis
- Super Yummy Stromboli
- Tomatoe-Cheese Calzones
