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What would living in New Orleans be without a good muffuletta sandwich? I do not want to find out. This recipe is one I love to make for parties and entertaining. It’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Jump to:
What is a Muffuletta Sandwich?
What exactly is a muffuletta? A muffuletta is a deli sandwich topped with fresh olive salad. It’s also made on a 9″ round italian bread. The “locals” are very particular about where they buy their muffulettas. Personally, I love the ones from Central Grocery by the French Market.
Since I live in suburbia, going to Central Grocery to pick up one of these is not an option -a ninety mile round trip would make it a very expensive sandwich!
Ingredients
The key to a good muffuletta is the quality of the ingredients in it. Most importantly, where your olive salad is made being the biggest factor.
A funny story: I went to the store to purchase olive salad and they were out of “my” brand. I purchased one that said Muffuletta Olive Salad (warning! warning!) and brought it home. When I opened the glass jar, it tasted funny… I looked at where it was made… and it said made in Chicago. What?! (nothing against Chicago).
Off I went again to my local Winn-Dixie and purchased a New Orleans brand. Whew! Seriously, it’s not the same.
Let’s go through some of the key ingredients so you too, can make your own at home. Shall we?
- Round Loaf Italian Bread
- Olive Salad
- Capicola or Deli Ham
- Genoa Salami
- Mortadella
- Sliced Mozzarella
- Provolone Cheese
Recipe Video
See the entire process in this quick recipe video where you’ll find the steps and a lot of tips for the perfect New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich:
How to Make a Muffuletta
The Bread: 9-10″ round Italian bread.
Olive Oil: I like to moisten my halves with some good Spanish extra virgin olive oil.
Then you have the Capicola ham and salami. Ask the person behind the counter to slice them thin.
Thinly sliced mozzarella and smoked provolone…
Start placing the olive salad in the middle and then work your way out.
This is the most beautiful pie I’ve seen in a long time…
Oh.my.goodness. The combination of the salty meats, the smoked cheese, the strong olive oil flavor and the crunch of the olive salad… Please. refrain from licking or biting your screen. Your device will not like it.
We like to quarter our muffulettas and eat them for lunch (ok, anytime is good too). If you want, you can toast the whole muffuletta, prior to cutting, in your oven for a few minutes to give the bread a little crunch and melt the cheese.
Oh lordy. Yes, I am finished. You may proceed to print the recipe and make your own. Me? off to lick my fingers.
You can purchase the Olive Salad on Amazon here.
How to Freeze and Reheat Muffulettas
You can freeze muffulettas once fully assembled by wrapping the entire stuffed bread round in plastic wrap, then place it in a zip bag and freeze it for up to 30 days.
To enjoy it, remove the plastic wrap and thaw it overnight or on the counter for an hour. Wrap it in foil and warm it up in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes until heated through.
New Orleans Muffuletta Recipe
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 1 10-inch round Italian bread
- 1 cup Olive Salad
- ¼ lb Capicola or deli ham, 4-6 slices
- ¼ lb Genoa Salami, 6-8 slices
- ¼ lb Mortadella, 4-6 slices
- ⅛ lb Sliced Mozzarella, 3-4 thin slices
- ⅛ lb Provolone, 3-4 thin slices
Instructions
- Slice the round bread in half horizontally and open it on a flat surface.
- Brush both inner sides of the bread with oil from the Olive Salad or extra virgin olive oil, go a little heavier on the bottom.
- Begin layering thre ham, salami, and mortadella on the bottom half of the bread. Top with cheeses.
- Next, add the olive salad from the center out and spread it, leaving about a half-inch around the edge. Place the top half of the bread over the olive mixture, and press down to let the bread absorb the olive salad juices.
- Using a bread knife, slice the round sandwich into 4 to 6 wedges.
- Optional: place the whole sandwich, before slicing, on a large baking sheet, and toast/warm-up in a 350F preheated oven for about 5 minutes.
Kathryn says
Incredible muffuletta recipe. just like the real thing in New Orleans!
Mark says
I love these sandwiches, whether in Nola, Baton Rouge, or Houston.
Lucy says
This was so good!
Louise McLean says
Absolutely wonderful! Though not authentic, we added thinly sliced red onions and tomato.
KO says
Louise, don’t know where you get your “authentic” muffulettas, but the ones I get weekly from Central Grocery have never had onions or tomatoes. The addition sounds tasty but not authentic.
Dayna says
This homemade muffulettta was so good!
Jackie says
Loved this!
Cara says
Wow! This was tasty!
Willa says
Authentic and tasted great!
Mark L Smith says
You forgot two important things about this wonderful sandwich. One in your description and building process the best of the meat, mortadella. And the spicy mustard to dip this toasted piece of greatness.
Jenna says
This recipe is spot on and I made a ton of Muffuletta for our holiday party. Thank you!
Peter Ducoffe says
I love Central Grocery!! Muffaluetta sandwich too die for! See you soon when Georgia Dawgs play. GOOD SAINTS!!!
Jessica says
Just like we used to enjoy in New Orleans! This was a great muffuletta at home.
Mariel says
I just made mine, waiting in the fridge, but wanted to give this tip I saw on an old review somewhere: if you have a Jason’s Deli nearby, ask them to sell you the authentic bread I think called Nola. The review that mentioned Jason’s was 2 years old and the lady paid $3.50 per bread. My husband bought it yesterday for $3.59 (!!!) He bought several and frozen them. Jason’s Deli’s muffuletta is not as good as New Orleans but the bread is authentic.
Laura Fuentes says
Thank you for sharing you enjoyed this Muffuletta!
David Burgess says
Well how about telling us how to make the olive salad, which is what I came here to find out
Laura Fuentes says
Well, because this recipe is for how to make the Muffuletta sandwich not the olive salad. Personally, I buy it.
Kathy says
Olive My Pickle makes a fresh muffuletta olive salad.
I’ll be on my way to the Italian deli soon to learn how to make the sandwich.
Sandra Dee says
Dear David, could you consider doing a search for a recipe for the olive salad. Pretty simple
jacki says
What brand olive salad? Have you ever tried to make your own? My Amazon saying page not found
Laura Fuentes says
I just checked and the links for the one I buy on amazon are working. This is the one I use and linked.
CT says
I too had trouble with the amazon link but it worked after quite a few tries. The olive salad brand is Boscoli Family Italian Olive Salad.
Laura Fuentes says
I’ll check the link, thank you for flagging. Glad you enjoyed them!
Limda says
Thank you. Just awesome. But, you are right the salad mix is critical. I found mine at a local farmers market
Lucretia Bradley says
Thanks for the recipe. I have never had this but I love that I can freeze it and then heat it up again. It sounds delicious.
Tammy Wease says
You soooo have to try this sandwich!!!! You will find yourself craving it! Don’t cheat yourself!!
Mmmmm……..!
Mark says
I read on the Central Grocery Olive salad label that they use Swiss cheese instead of the Mozzarella cheese. Otherwise, this recipe is pretty darn good.
Laura Fuentes says
Mozzarella, provolone, or swiss are all used by us in New Orleans for our Muffuletta sandwiches -personal preference. Glad you enjoyed it!
NYSEgal says
Thank you for saying this! Swiss = Mozerella =
leslie says
Just like Central Grocery’s! and the muffuletta bread easy enough that I made 2 in one day.
Thank you.
Laura Fuentes says
Thank you for sharing how much you enjoyed it, Leslie!
Ruth Harvey says
Going to try this. Had one in New Orleans and loved it.
Sharissa Monet says
Quintessential – the fifth essence.
Carolyn Thurman says
I have been wanting a true Muffuletta for a long time. So this week my son and I bought all the ingredients and will be making one for dinner tonight. My mouth is watering just thinking about this delicious sandwich. Can’t wait.
Laura Fuentes says
I hope you enjoy it Carolyn!!
Karen G says
Thanks for the fix!
I’m ordering bread soon to make some sandwiches!!
James says
I keep coming back to this recipe. Most authentic one out there.
caryolyn says
I’ve been craving a muffaletta ever since my last visit to new orleans, love that i can make it at home now.
Linda says
Must-make. My husband is from New Orleans and he was so excited when I made this
Del says
…..go a little heavier on the bottom.
Cynthia G says
Your recipe is wonderful. Brings back Central Grocery (one of my favorite things about New Orleans). I looked at the Boscoli olive salad and saw that it was mostly canola oil with a small amount of olive oil. Apparently there is another version that is 100% olive oil – however the person who mentioned it said it was 128 oz. size. I love olive salad, but not that much. Maybe you haven’t bought it since they changed. Since the Central Grocery brand has soybean oil it doesn’t seem much better. Would it work if I drain all the oil out of the jar and replace it with good olive oil? Thanks for your help.
Laura Fuentes says
Thank you for trying my recipe. You are correct that the bostoli olive salad is not 100% olive oil; but unfortunately, I have not been able to find an olive salad sold online (since my audience is from all-over the world) in a smaller jar. A 128oz size is huge!! lol
Tommy says
Making muffulettas now ham , mortadella, salami, provolone, swiss. I use central grocery ouve salad I found at Rouses grocery. I’m in New Orleans. I think you can find the olive salad on line. It’s the best.
Laura Fuentes says
That’s why I linked it in the post! For the non-locals… Amazon.
Grant says
Central Grocery sells jars of their Olive Salad on Amazon
Laura Fuentes says
That’s where I get my olive salad from! Amazon, right to my door.
Wisegal says
As a lifelong New Orleanian, I can tell you this recipe is the real deal. The local grocery store chain, Rouses Market, sells their store label brand of olive salad containing 100% olive oil. BTW, olive salad is not just for muffalettas. It makes a great pizza topping, addition to salads, crostini (topped with grated parmesan), or addition to a charcuterie board. I make a pasta salad version of the muffaletta, tossing the cut up meats and cheeses in a bowl with the olive salad, and subbing penne or another small shaped pasta for the bread.
Vivian says
I plan to make this at home. I got the salad and bun from Rouses. My question is is there a good soup I can make to go with it?
Laura Fuentes says
You can make gumbo or any of my soup recipes here.
HoftHome says
Instead of step 6, I heat the olive salad and both bread halves in a frying pan so that everything gets warm to the touch. The bread soaks up a lot of the olive oil so have extra on hand. The warm bread & meat adds a nice contrast to the still cold ham, salami, & cheese!
Also, this recipe calls for a single layer of olive salad. I add warm olive salad directly on the bottom bread half, top that with all the meat, another warm olive salad layer, top that with all the cheese, then a third warm olive salad layer. Yes, it’s super-sloppy & just the way I like it!
In my younger days I could eat a whole muffuletta in one sitting: those days are long gone!
Laura Fuentes says
The extra layers of olive salad sound like a dream!!
Morty Mortadella says
Wow. I had to substitute good ol’ bologna for the mortadella as there was no mortadella at our local deli. The deli manager told me there is a shortage of mortadella because of the pandemic. It is one of the most complex Italian meat coldcuts to make. Hope it makes a reappearance soon. This is a wonderful sandwich nonetheless. Excellent.
Beryl says
Wow, these were huge! We really enjoyed and there are lots of leftovers for tomorrow.
Jimmy says
It’s a great recipe for New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich. Easy to follow to make for my son. he loves it much. thank you for sharing!
Laura Fuentes says
I agree! I’m glad you both enjoy it.
Margie says
Great recipe!
Laura Fuentes says
Thank you, Margie!
Blanca says
thanks for sharing this with us…i will try to make this wonderful Recipe…
Laura Fuentes says
I hope you enjoy it!
Lynne says
Where do you find the bread?
Laura Fuentes says
At the grocery store by the bakery.
Carol says
Great recipe! Made it yesterday a couple hours before dinner, wrapped it in saran wrap and weighted it down to flatten it, then cooked in my George Foreman grill, all of I know takes it from a true muffaletta to a muffaletta/panini hybrid, but it was GOOD! To finish up my New Orleans (I’m in Chicago) menu. I also made oyster stew and had some leftover corn salad which I realized was kinda like maque choux.
Laura Fuentes says
Now, THAT is a genius idea. The press!
Martin Shumsky says
I’m 8 I made this for my family, It was great!!!!
Laura Fuentes says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Vickie Hill says
I have been wanting a great New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich. I just saw your recipe and I was so excited. I have to go buy all the ingredients and make it. I will let you know how it turns out. Thank you for sharing your recipe with the public. Have a Blessed Day! God Bless!!!
Laura Fuentes says
Enjoy, Vickie!
Marina says
I tried this last year. My family loved it. My son said “ mom it can’t get better then this” this is really Good!” So I thank you very much for sharing and now I share your recipes to my niece. Love it.
Gene Wagner says
I have used several different olive salads for use on salads & sandwiches, I noticed a new olive salad at Rouses Grocery I hadn’t seen before & decided to try it. Actually it is Central Grocery Olive
Salad, made by them & it’s TERRIFIC.
Laura Fuentes says
I’m so glad you enjoyed this New Orleans Muffuletta Sandwich Recipe!
Lorraine says
Can you freeze muffulettas
Laura Fuentes says
Yes, you can freeze muffulettas once fully assembled by wrapping the entire stuffed bread round in plastic wrap, then place it in a zip bag, and freeze it for up to 30 days. To enjoy it, remove the plastic wrap and thaw it overnight or on the counter for an hour. Wrap it in foil and warm it up in the oven at 350 for 15 minutes until heated through.
madalena hayes says
Just want to say, the olive salad sold at Trader Joe’s is great for this sandwich or just by itself on bread.
Teri Newman says
I buy my olive salad at George’s on Perkins in Baton Rouge. I tote it up to Illinois in the summer to make my muffaletta salads. It doesn’t go bad either and it’s SPICY since they add some cherry peppers to it. Super delicious!! I have kept it up to 6 months and it’s just fine and they pack it up at the restaurant to travel. The BEST!!
Sharon says
Do you make your own olive salad? If so, can you share that recipe?
LuAnn D Williams says
Hi Laura..never had a muffuletta from Central Grocery in NOLA, but had one at Cochon Butcher! Loved it!
Laura Fuentes says
I LOVE Cochon Butcher!!
Judi Lynch says
How do I get a printer friendly copy of your recipe? I don’t need 32 pages. Your recipe looks amazing and I would like to make it. Thank you so much.
Laura Fuentes says
Hi Judi! I’m currently updating my website so the “print” only button for the recipe isn’t showing up. I am going to personally email it to you. Laura
J King says
Nicely timed for Halloween! The fat, sodium and calories read like a horror story!
Laura Fuentes says
Thanks for bringing this to my attention. There was an error in the recipe calculator. Some nutritional data will vary by the brand of deli meats purchased.
Timothy Griffin says
Laura, I live in the New Orleans area. Which muffuletta bread maker do you use with all the sesame seeds on top that is in your photo?…….in other words, which bakery is the best tasting to use for these since United is no longer in business? Thanks.
Nita says
Just made my first trip to New Orleans and was told by a friend I had to eat a Muffuetta while there. I did and fell in love with them. I purchased the Olive Salad (fortunately) from Central Grocery. Then on my way home realized I had not asked any one exactly what was in it….just took for granted I knew. Then I decided to try online for a receipe and there you were. I was so glad to see you had it and even suggested the same Olive Salad. I have used some of your recipes before and loved them. I receive you e-mails all the time and really looking forward to making my own Muffulettas for my friends.
Laura Fuentes says
So glad you were able to re-create this at home!
Jennifer Zamalloa says
I make them same way except I use the oil from the olive mix on both the top and bottom of the bread. I wrap it in foil overnight and then heat it up for about 15-20 at 325 degrees. So very good
Jerry says
In my career i have worked all over the world had have always missed my native food. While working in the US and away from NOLA I have been able to come close to a muffuletta built at Subways. The only problem with Subways is the lack of olive salad and you have to use black olives close your eyes and it’s close to tasting like a muffuletta.
Laura Fuentes says
I love the “you have to close your eyes… and it’s close to tasting like a muffuletta.” Glad you found my recipe 🙂
Kenneth Raymond says
I ,ale these and I live in NH. I worked for years in Milford, MA that had a terrrific Italian market that made these by the score, you didn’t have order them. They were in a big cooler wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Anzd they were cheap. They were lunch for 4 guys but we usually split them 3 ways. Up here in New England I can get everything that does in it but I’ve had to look around for bread and found them.. I have an old buddy that grew up in NOLA and he was surprised I was making them. Very obscure way up north!!! Though my friends have loved these, I bring one to a party and cut it into 8 pieces. I never take anything home.
Laura Fuentes says
I’m so glad these are a hit among your friends.
Louisa says
We’re can I find that olive salad, live in Florida can not find any muffuletta olive Salad anywhere.
Laura Fuentes says
You can find the olive salad here: http://amzn.to/2osMRQ4 Enjoy!
Kathy says
I want to make this for a Mardi Gras potluck we are having at work. Can it be made a day in advance?
Laura Fuentes says
Absolutely.
DGray says
I make these every year for my Mardi Gras party and could not agree more, Boscoli Olive Salad is the best on the planet, nothing else will do for this sandwich! I have tried others out of desperation but I don’t like the Italian spin on them. Will be using your recipe this Mardi Gras as I usually do not used the smoked provolone……
Laura Fuentes says
DGray,
You can, of course, use regular provolone. I just prefer the smoked. 🙂 Enjoy!
cookie says
OMG…..how I miss Central Grocery Muffulettas!!! Yum!
restaurant Fort Lauderdale says
Indeed, I totally agree with being particular with the ingredients especially the olive salad. It is really funny that I had the same experience as yours. I also tried making my own olive salad but to no success. It just did not taste right, so I always go find something made from New Orleans. Thank you for this post. This reminds me to make muffulettas one of these days.
telesma says
That’s actually authentic – good job. So many recipes don’t use mortadella or specify capicola or even Genoa salami. A lot of New Orleanians will use Chisesi ham instead of capicola, but it’s similar. One tip, though. The top half of the bread should be scooped out to allow for more olive salad. If you look at the ones from Central Grocery (which are the original recipe), the top is hollowed out to hold a mound of olive salad.
Also, try the toasted muff at Napoleon House. That’s the only one that comes close to topping the original, and it’s probably been around nearly as long.
Laura Fuentes says
Thank you! I love love toasted muff! Thanks for mentioning the hollowing the top if the muff, I do that but it doesn’t picture as nicely 😉
Michelle says
Saw you on Pinterest and just HAD to stop by! This looks delicious! New follower 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Michelle
Laura Fuentes says
let me know how your family enjoys them Michelle!
Margie says
Nothing quite like being in NOLA at Central Grocery munching on the utmost very best Muffuletta!!! Thank you so much for bringing back precious memories!
Laura Fuentes says
thank you Margie!
Jerry says
I have had a lot of muffulattas from Central Market but I have found theIRS lacking on the meat. I had one of the best Muffulattas ever at Mo’s Pizza on the Best Bank in Westwego yesterday. Fresh bread lots of meat and moist. Great sandwitch and reasonable price.
Laura Fuentes says
I’ll have to try it out!
Bernadette says
Well this brings back memories I went to beauty school in Slidell in the 80s and the girls brought a muffalatta from a restaurant to school instantly fell in love ! Never forgot it . Where can I get that olive salad? I’m in California -thank you
Laura Fuentes says
Hi Bernadette! Here are a couple olive salad jars you can order on Amazon. Enjoy!
Cerina Bee says
Whole Foods sells an Olive Salad at their Olive Bar and they even specify that it’s for the Muffeletta!
Tiffany's Toy Box says
I have never heard of a Muffuletta before now! It looks beyond dlish and savory. Thanks for the recipe! Now I have to try and see if I can make it look and taste as good as your pics look!
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home says
Oh my goodness – that looks SO GOOD! I love olives and crusty bread! Mmm! Love that you shared a little bit of you with us too! eHugs, Kelly
Laura Fuentes says
e hugs!! 🙂
Kim Klink says
Thank you for this recipe. We went to NO last week for the 1st time. May I add it was just for this sandwich. We saw it on the food network. My question is what brand of olives do you use?
Laura Fuentes says
Hi Kim! Here are a couple olive salad jars you can order on Amazon. I buy Boscoli at my local supermarket. Enjoy!