This copycat Lou Malnati’s salad will help take you on a virtual trip to Chicago. Sweet Italian dressing tops romaine, tomatoes, mushrooms and black olives – the crispy salami helps to really make this a stand-out salad.
The Malnati Salad in Chicago is one of the best restaurant salads I’ve ever eaten. That might be a bold statement but it’s true. The harmony of the sweet, vinegary dressing paired with the cold, crisp vegetables and topped with crispy salami was a revelation at a restaurant where I was just expecting to eat good pizza. I mean if you visit Chicago you’ve gotta try the deep dish, right?
We have visited the fine city of Chicago a couple of times now and in asking friends where to get the best deep dish pizza Lou Malnati’s was the recommendation we got. Our friends were definitely right about the pizza. One day I hope to recreate it in my own home too. In the meantime I have created another Chicago pizza made famous by the Food Network. Pot Pie Pizza is a must make and you can find that recipe here.
As for the salad I think I got it as close as I possibly could. The combination of ingredients is the same as at the restaurant: lettuce, tomato, black olives, mushrooms, blue cheese and crisp salami. And I’ve heard in the comments that my dressing is spot on. At the restaurant the salad was served on an ice cold salad plate so I recommend putting your plates in the freezer for a few minutes before piling the salad on them.
Copycat Lou Malnati's Salad
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 4 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- 6 oz salami sliced
- 1 large head romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 1/2 cups grape tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup black olives sliced
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbled
Instructions
- For the dressing, whisk together the sugar, vinegar, oil, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Set aside.
- Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the salami and cook until just starting to brown. Drain on paper towels.
- Pile the lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, black olives, blue cheese and salami on four salad plates.
- Top salad with the dressing and serve.
Nutrition
MORE COPYCAT RECIPES:
- Pizza Pot Pie (from Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder)
- Copycat Panera Blueberry Muffins
- Sugared Walnut Grape Salad (from Dewey’s Pizza)
- Copycat Jarlsberg Cheese Dip
Maggie Aderhold Stephens says
I had the Malnati Salad a few months ago while on business in Chicago and I can’t get it out of my head! Thanks for posting your copycat recipe!
foodtasticmom says
I know… mine is close, but the restaurant version was just SO good! I hope you like my recipe and thank you for commenting 🙂
TimHart says
I had this salad in Chicago just a couple of weeks ago and was CRAVING it. I made it last night following your recipe exactly and wanted to tell you that you NAILED IT! When I had the salad at Lou’s it also included tomatoes so I added a couple of cups of quartered grape tomatoes. This will definitely become a regular at my house. Thanks!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Tim, that is a true compliment. So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Nancy Stuart says
The real salad doesn’t have carrots or bell peppers. They don’t use feta cheese, it’s crumbled Gorgonzola. They also have black olives and diced tomato. You can purchase the dressing bottled online as well as their deep dish pizza, all delivered to your home at tasteofchicago.com.
Or here’s the recipe from 1960:
http://blog.jakeparrillo.com/2010/03/lou-malnatis-salad-dressing-recipe-as.html?m=1
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Nancy. I decided to update the salad to be a true copycat.
Nancy Stuart says
One more thing that really “makes” the salad. The salami isn’t just cold, sliced salami… it’s Guanciale Salami specifically, cut into bits and sauteed in a pan until some of the oil seeps out and they become crunchy bacon bits. I wouldn’t try bacon bits, try the rendered Guanciale and you will be craving Malnotti’s Salad in your sleep! I’m going to make it tonight now!
foodtasticmom says
I’m glad to know the specific type. I just bought regular salami slices from the grocery. I did saute them though so they’d be nicely rendered and crisp like bacon! How do you know so much about this salad? 🙂
LynnR says
This salad is our go to favorite for the family party the 4th of July! Love the combinations!
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Lynn
Lynn Rothfuss says
Requested again every year!
foodtasticmom says
Love it!
Debbie says
I just finished a carry out salad from Lou Malnati’s … SO good
I picked up a catering menue and it listed the ingredients in the Malnati salad – Romaine lettuce, diced tomatoes, black olives, sliced mushrooms, crumbled VOLPI salami and Gorgonzola cheese, with a touch of Romano cheese.
Jeff says
Ok…..well, I just bookmarked this page. I can’t wait to try this salad. This could make me a hero in my family BTW…so thank you!! http://www.FreeChicagoWalkingTours.com
foodtasticmom says
Awesome! Happy to hear this and hope it makes you a hero 🙂
Cheryl Kern says
Dob you know what is in their marinated chopped tomatoes that is served with the salad, they are awesome?
foodtasticmom says
No I didn’t realize the tomatoes were marinated. I wonder if they are just soaked in the same dressing?
Patty says
Looks fantastic, the kind of salad we love!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
I’ve never been to this restaurant, but you’ve made me want to make plane reservations and check it out asap, and I’m so glad to have this recipe to tide me over until I can get there 🙂 The salami is genius!!
foodtasticmom says
Seriously if you ever get to Chicago it’s a must go! Thank you 🙂
Joyce says
I have never had this salad before but I totally want to make this now! It’s always tough to find a great salad and I honestly need more veggies in my life. haha 🙂 I’m so excited to try this out now! 😀
foodtasticmom says
Yes I always need more veggies in my life. If I could hire someone to do all my veggie shopping and prep for me I know I’d eat way more of them, LOL
Tina Dawson | Love is in my Tummy says
I’m adding this salad to this week’s lunch list! Yumm!
foodtasticmom says
Wonderful! I think you’ll love it!
Kristina says
My husband was in Chicago recently and ate at Lou malnati’s. Once he arrived home he started looking for the recipe for this salad. Thank you! It is very good.
foodtasticmom says
Yay! Love hearing this. Thanks Kristina!
nick says
red onions added
Sharon says
Had out of town guests, those lucky enough to put Illinois in their rear view, this weekend. They loved Lou’s pizza and salad when they lived in Chicago.. I didn’t attempt to make pizza, ordered from Lou’s but I did make your salad. Huge hit, it is on spot! Funny how every one thought it was always bacon on this salad, shocked when they found out it was fried salami. Good stuff! Thank you!
foodtasticmom says
I love hearing reviews like this. Thank you for taking the time to write! Yeah, I haven’t attempted to recreate the pizza either. Maybe one day…
C. J. says
Fabulous duplication!! However, my favorite at Lou’s is the BBQ Chicken Salad…..do you have a copycat for the BBQ dressing they use?? Unbelievable flavor!
foodtasticmom says
Now you are making me want to go back! We only ate there once. So that was the only salad I tried. I’m sorry I don’t have a copycat for the BBQ dressing. Next time I visit Chicago I’ll have to try it. And thank you!
Denise M says
Love it! My daughter and I had it in Chicago and loved it so much we went in search of a recipe. We love yours and I have made it for her basketball team for a whole new set of fans!
foodtasticmom says
Absolutely love hearing this. Thank you for the comment and positive rating! 🙂
dana says
So funny other people have the same obsession with this salad that I have!! lol!!
I had this salad 5 years ago when visiting Chicago and it’s all I talked about. I have been buying the dressing ever since and making my own version. I guess I forgot they used olives.
I fry up salami, put in store made fresh bruschetta, mushrooms, and gorgonzola with romaine and spring mix or whatever I have on hand. The bruschetta gives that basil flavor I was missing at first.
foodtasticmom says
Good to know about the bruschetta addition!
Dave C says
Just came back from Chicago and ordered this salad as an afterthought. Now it’s really all I can think of, and it’s because of the dressing!! I just made the copycat version and it is pretty darn good even though I substituted the sugar with Splenda! So soo delicious all together. Thank you!
foodtasticmom says
Yeah, you go for the pizza and don’t expect to be also “wow-ed” by a salad! I’m so glad you enjoyed my copycat version. Thanks for taking the time to rate and review!
Traci says
Are you using raw mushrooms? Do you do anything to them? I’ve read not to eat raw mushrooms so I’m just wondering how that works…
foodtasticmom says
I use raw mushrooms. I make sure to wipe them well with a damp paper towel to clean them. I’ve not ever heard to not eat raw mushrooms! If you are worried about it you could certainly cook them in a skillet. Just be sure to cool them down before adding them to the salad.
Shweta says
One of our favorite salad recipes! This is SO good!
foodtasticmom says
So happy to hear this!!