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Copycat Lou Malnati’s Salad

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.

Copycat Lou Malnati's Salad by Foodtastic Mom

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?

Lou Malnati's Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

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.

Copycat Lou Malnati's Salad by Foodtastic Mom

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

Copycat Lou Malnati's Salad by Foodtastic Mom
5 from 4 votes
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Copycat Lou Malnati's Salad

Take a virtual trip to Chicago with this copycat recipe for Lou Malnati's famous house salad.

Course Salad
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 585 kcal
Author Foodtastic Mom

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

  1. For the dressing, whisk together the sugar, vinegar, oil, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder and salt. Set aside.

  2. Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the salami and cook until just starting to brown. Drain on paper towels.

  3. Pile the lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, black olives, blue cheese and salami on four salad plates.

  4. Top salad with the dressing and serve.

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Comments

  1. 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!

    Reply

    • I know… mine is close, but the restaurant version was just SO good! I hope you like my recipe and thank you for commenting 🙂

      Reply

  2. 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!

    Reply

      • 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!

        Reply

        • 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? 🙂

          Reply

  5. 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.

    Reply

  7. Dob you know what is in their marinated chopped tomatoes that is served with the salad, they are awesome?

    Reply

  9. 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!!

    Reply

  10. 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! 😀

    Reply


  12. 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.

    Reply

  14. 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!

    Reply

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