New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich (Printable)
A flavorful New Orleans sandwich with halal meats, olive salad, and melted cheeses on Italian bread.
# What You'll 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 at least 10 minutes for flavors to meld.
02 - Slice the round Italian loaf horizontally. Scoop out some of the soft center from both halves to create additional space for the generous fillings.
03 - Spread half of the olive salad mixture evenly across the bottom half of the bread. Layer with half of the cheese slices, ensuring complete coverage to the edges.
04 - Arrange all deli meats in an even layer over the cheese. Top with the remaining cheese slices, followed by the rest of the olive salad spread evenly across the surface.
05 - Place the top half of the bread over the fillings and press down gently. For optimal flavor integration, wrap the sandwich tightly in parchment paper or foil and place under a weighted object for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
06 - Cut the sandwich into 4 equal wedges and serve immediately. For best results, slice just before eating to maintain structural integrity.
# Cooking Tips:
01 -
- The olive salad is what makes this sandwich legendary, developing even more flavor as it sits
- Halal-certified meats mean everyone can enjoy this New Orleans classic
02 -
- Don't skip the resting step under weight—it's what transforms this from a regular sandwich into something cohesive and magical
- The olive salad can be made days ahead and actually improves with time
03 -
- A serrated bread knife is your best friend here—saw gently through the crust without crushing everything
- Let the wrapped sandwich come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture