Irresistible Cheese Delight with Salami & Olives Recipe

Rustic Cheese & Salami Olive Platter Recipe for Easy Hosting

Baking enthusiasts adore this irresistible savory cheese delight with salami and olives that combines rich Mediterranean flavors in every delectable bite.

Salty salami and briny olives create a perfect harmony of tastes that dance across your palate.

The recipe brings together classic ingredients with a modern twist, promising an appetizing experience.

Each slice delivers a burst of intense, complex flavors that will surprise and delight.

cheese lovers will fall head over heels for this simple yet sophisticated dish.

The combination of ingredients ensures a memorable culinary adventure that feels both comforting and exciting.

Get ready to impress with this mouthwatering creation that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary treat.

How to Make Savory Cheese with Salami & Olives

  • Cheese and Charcuterie Blend

Start with a medley of textures and flavors by gathering your favorite creamy Havarti, zesty salami, briny green olives, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes. The magic happens when these ingredients come together in a harmonious dance of taste.

  • Herbal Infusion

Sprinkle fresh basil leaves throughout the mixture, transforming the simple combination into a vibrant culinary experience. Drizzle a bright Italian vinaigrette that will elevate the entire composition with its sharp and refreshing notes.

  • Flavor Development

Allow the mixture to rest and mingle in a cool environment. This waiting period lets the ingredients get to know each other, intensifying their collective flavor profile. Whether you serve immediately or let it sit for a bit, this appetizer promises to be a crowd-pleaser that sparks conversation and delights taste buds.

Flavor Tips for Savory Cheese with Salami

  • Cheese Plate Power-Ups: Expert Serving Secrets
  • Flavor Fusion Hack: Let the mixture marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the vinaigrette and herbs to deeply infuse into the cheese and salami, creating a more complex and rich taste profile.
  • Texture Trick: Dice ingredients into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure every serving delivers a perfect balance of flavors and textures in each delightful bite.
  • Temperature Wisdom: Remove the mixture from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to let the cheese soften slightly and bring out its full, creamy flavor potential.
  • Gourmet Upgrade: Experiment with different cheese varieties like aged cheddar or smoked gouda to create unique flavor combinations that will surprise and delight your guests.
  • Presentation Magic: Serve on a rustic wooden board with additional fresh herbs scattered around, accompanied by crisp crackers or crusty French bread to elevate the entire appetizer experience.

Plating Savory Cheese with Olives

  • Mediterranean Appetizer Platter: Arrange the cheese and salami mixture on a rustic wooden board with crispy crostini, fresh baguette slices, and a small selection of additional olives for an elegant and inviting presentation.
  • Wine Pairing Paradise: Complement this savory delight with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc that enhances the rich flavors of the cheese and salami.
  • Picnic Perfect Spread: Pack this mixture in a sealed container for a delightful outdoor lunch. Bring along some crackers, a small cutting board, and plastic utensils for an easy, portable gourmet experience that's perfect for parks or beach outings.
  • Charcuterie Board Star: Use this mixture as a standout component on a larger charcuterie board, nestled between different cheeses, cured meats, and artisan crackers to create a stunning and delicious centerpiece for gatherings.

How to Store Savory Cheese Appetizers

  • Quick Chill Method: Refrigerate the cheese mixture for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together, creating a more intense and harmonious taste profile.
  • Airtight Container Strategy: Store the mixture in a sealed glass container with a tight-fitting lid to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors. Glass works best for preserving delicate flavor notes.
  • Smart Portion Planning: Divide the mixture into smaller serving-sized containers for easy grab-and-go snacks or quick lunch additions. This approach helps manage portion control and extends overall usability.
  • Flavor Boost Technique: Consume the mixture within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture. After preparation, give the container a gentle shake or stir before serving to redistribute herbs and dressing evenly throughout the ingredients.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 330 kcal

Servings: 7

Savory Cheese: Ingredient Checklist

For Base Ingredients:
  • Havarti Cheese: Creamy Danish cheese that melts beautifully and provides rich, buttery flavor with smooth texture.
  • Salami: Robust Italian cured meat bringing deep, spicy undertones and adding protein-packed protein to the dish.
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Concentrated sweet-tangy flavor bombs that elevate the Mediterranean profile with intense sun-ripened essence.
For Briny and Pickled Components:
  • Green Olives, Cornichons: Zesty, salty companions that introduce sharp, crisp texture and bright acidic notes to balance the richness of cheese and meat.
For Fresh Aromatic Enhancers:
  • Fresh Basil: Vibrant herb that infuses the dish with classic Mediterranean freshness and elegant herbal complexity.
For Dressing:
  • Garlic Expressions or Italian-Style Vinaigrette: Tangy, garlicky dressing that binds ingredients together, adding depth and creating harmonious flavor profile.

Salami & Olive: Kitchen Equipment

  • Mixing bowl: medium-sized, perfect for combining all delicious ingredients.
  • Cutting board: essential for dicing cheese and chopping ingredients with precision.
  • Sharp knife: needed to slice salami, sun-dried tomatoes, and cornichons neatly.
  • Measuring spoon: helps add the right amount of vinaigrette.
  • Mason jar or serving bowl: great for storing and presenting the cheese mixture.
  • Plastic wrap: covers the mixture if using a bowl for marinating.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: helps stir ingredients and coat them evenly with dressing.
Print
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Irresistible Cheese Delight with Salami & Olives Recipe

Irresistible Cheese Delight with Salami & Olives Recipe


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4.7 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Homemade savory cheese delight with salami & olives brings Mediterranean flavors to your kitchen. Quick layers of creamy cheese, salty salami, and tangy olives create a perfect appetizer that delights palates.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 oz (170 g) Havarti cheese, diced into bite-sized cubes
  • 1 cup salami, diced into bite-sized cubes
  • ½ cup green olives
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • ½ cup cornichons
  • 2 tbsps fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup Garlic Expressions or your favorite Italian-style vinaigrette

Instructions

  1. Prepare Ingredients: Dice Havarti cheese into uniform small cubes, finely chop sun-dried tomatoes, slice salami, and halve green olives and cornichons.
  2. Combine Mixture: In a spacious mixing bowl, blend the diced cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, salami, olives, and cornichons, creating a vibrant and textured base.
  3. Enhance Flavor: Tear fresh basil leaves into delicate fragments, gently dispersing their aromatic essence throughout the ingredient medley.
  4. Dress and Marinate: Drizzle Italian-style vinaigrette over the assembled ingredients, thoroughly stirring to ensure complete coverage and flavor infusion.
  5. Store and Chill: Transfer the mixture to a clean glass container, seal tightly, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to harmonize and develop depth.
  6. Serve: Before presenting, give the mixture a final gentle stir to redistribute herbs and dressing, then serve chilled as an elegant appetizer or light refreshment.

Notes

  • Precise Cheese Cutting: Uniform small cubes ensure even flavor distribution and better texture in every bite.
  • Herb Infusion Technique: Tearing basil leaves by hand releases more aromatic oils compared to chopping, enhancing overall taste profile.
  • Marinating Magic: Refrigerating for minimum 30 minutes allows ingredients to develop deeper, more complex flavor interactions.
  • Serving Pro Tip: Always give a final gentle stir before serving to reactivate dressing and redistribute herbs evenly across the mixture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: None
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 12 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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