my comfort recipes
♥ Log in Sign up
  • en
  • fr
  • es
  • pt
  • de
  • it
  • nl
    • 🌍 World Kitchen
    🌍 World Kitchen
    Log in Sign up
    Home / Lunch / Classic Muffuletta

    Classic Muffuletta

    Layers of Italian deli meats and cheeses are piled onto a round loaf with a tangy homemade olive salad for the iconic New Orleans sandwich.

    ⏱ 20 min (plus chilling)Prep time
    🔥 0 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 LunchCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Classic Muffuletta sandwich with layers of salami, mortadella, ham, provolone and olive salad on sesame bread

    The muffuletta was created in 1906 by Sicilian immigrant Salvatore Lupo at Central Grocery in New Orleans, combining Italian deli meats and cheeses with a tangy olive salad on a round Sicilian sesame loaf. It has remained a beloved New Orleans sandwich institution ever since, known for its bold, briny flavor.

    Bold, briny, and a true New Orleans classic

    Layers of Italian deli meats and cheeses are piled onto a round loaf with a tangy homemade olive salad for the iconic New Orleans sandwich.

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Combine the giardiniera, green olives, Kalamata olives, garlic, and olive oil for the olive salad. Let sit at least 1 hour.
    2. Slice the loaf in half horizontally.
    3. Spread the olive salad generously on both cut sides.
    4. Layer the salami, ham, mortadella, and provolone on the bottom half.
    5. Top with the other half of the bread.
    6. Wrap tightly and let rest 30 minutes before slicing into wedges.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Letting the assembled sandwich rest allows the olive salad's oils to soak into the bread, which is key to the authentic flavor. Make the olive salad a day ahead for the best depth of flavor.

    Rate this recipe

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Sign in to rate this recipe.

    Recipe details

    Prep20 min (plus chilling)
    Cook0 min
    Servings6
    CategoryLunch
    PublishedAugust 12, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

    Keep browsingYou might also like

    View all recipes →