For months I've been enjoying a version of this Italian Hoagie Salad. I was busy working hard to finish my new book, Keto Quick Start, so didn't get a moment to share this recipe until now.
I grew up in New Jersey, in a largely Italian town and with an Italian father. The flavors of this salad are pure nostalgia for me!
We used to enjoy sandwiches (hoagies) piled high with meat, cheese, and a tangy vinegar-y dressing. Italian hoagies were the only thing I'd eat at the time with onions and oregano!
Right now I'm kicking myself for not including this keto recipe in my new book. It's so good! Admittedly, there aren't many salad recipes in it. I did include a lot of quick-fix meals for inspiration, like this one in the book. You can add this to your keto meal plan as you try out the other recipes in the book if you want!
Keto salads aren't hard to make, but I can easily get stuck in a rut. This salad will kick up the excitement and be a great change of pace. It's delicious as a single-serving, or you can make this ahead and it's party-perfect!
Keto Italian Hoagie Salad Recipe
This salad recipe is keto friendly and you can easily make it paleo by omitting the cheese. This recipe is also 21-Day Sugar Detox friendly! So enjoy it on your #21DSD!
Keto Italian Hoagie Salad
Ingredients
Quick Lemony Italian Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1/4 cup lemon juice fresh
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the salad
- 1/4 cup red onions thinly sliced
- 2 cups baby kale, arugula, or other leafy green
- 2 ounces salami chopped
- 2 ounces turkey chopped
- 2 ounces ham chopped
- 1/2 ounce gouda or parmesean cheese shaved
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini chopped
- 1 pinch oregano as garnish
- 1 pinch black pepper as garnish
Instructions
- Whisk or blend together all dressing ingredients.
- Place the sliced onions into a small, flat dish and pour 2 to 3 tablespoons of the dressing over them to allow them to quickly marinate while you make the salad.
- Assemble the rest of the salad, then pour the onions and dressing over the top - enjoy!
Comments 35
I can’t WAIT to try this! I live in NJ and I miss being able to eat a hoagie! Thank you for this recipe!
Awesome for Keto – and the salad dressing could be versatile and used over so many other dishes!
I’ve made similar salads before but it has been so long. Looking forward to bringing this back into rotation and including marinated onions.
Author
Great! Cant wait to hear what you think.
I’ve been trying keto diet for a week now, and I’ll definitely try this salad out thank you very much!
Author
Let me know what you think!
Look forward to trying this recipe and am hoping you will add a lot more instant pot meals to your blog!!
I can’t WAIT to try this! Thank you for this recipe!
Oh wow, this look really good! Will definitely try these when I get some time
Oh wow, this looks really good! Definitely gonna give it a go when I find some time!
I just made this today for lunch and I can’t believe I waited so long! Even my fiancé, who’s definitely a bread guy, thought it was amazing. I even made one for my lunch tomorrow while I was at it! Thanks, Diane!
Author
YAY! So glad!
Just had this for lunch…loved it! I did use my own salad dressing, made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, herbs & spices. What’s your take on balsamic vinegar for keto? Is it something that should be avoided because of the sugar content, or use it and just include the carb count in daily carb allowance?
Thanks.
This will be dinner tonight!!!!!
Author
YAY! What did you think?
Oh Diane! I’m in love with this salad! Thank you!
This is one of the best salads I’ve had in awhile! It’s so satisfying and I’ve eaten it every day for a week and not even sick of it yet. Next week I’ll be having this again for lunch along with the Balanced Bites meals for dinner!
Author
So glad!
This salad is amazing!!! what is the nutrition break down. I am tracking my food with your log sheets!
Author
I don’t know, you can enter it as you build it into one! 🙂
Dang, killing it again with your yummy keto recipes! I’m in my second week of the Keto Quickstart and I feel fantastic! Thanks for all of the great info and recipes!
Author
WOOT!
Hi Diane
Im wondering what the carb count is on this salad for Keto?
Thank you in advance
Author
It depends on what you personally add to it! 🙂 I think it’s REALLY important to learn how to calculate this for yourself to make keto doable, since not everything you eat has a label or counts on it. Check the labels of your ingredients, check online info for ingredients like onions, etc. You’ve got this!
WOW this looks so good! I love anything with some good Italian meats (and arugula!)
Author
YAS!
Great salad! Love the dressing. My husband eats salads, but he definitely enjoyed this one more than any other. The whole family was happy with this one! Quick easy dinner tonight.
Thanks for all your great recipes and advice!
Erin
Author
So glad!
HI Diana,
Thanks for sharing such kind of interesting recipe here. Love to read you. Thanks for sharing I will try this recipe at home.keep it up
It looks delicious!!
Can’t wait to try this, it looks yummy and something my husband will eat too 😉 Can you help me out though by listing the macros? We are just starting Keto so it’s going to be important for us to track. Thanks!!
Author
The macros will vary highly by what you put on yours!
So good! Thank you for posting. This really satisfied my cravings!
can you tell me how to sub balanced bites spices here for the dressing? maybe 1.5 tsp of italian?
Author
I’d use 1 1/2 tsp of GREEK blend!