Keto Italian Spinach Salad with Pepperoni Recipe [VIDEO]
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.
Did you know that pepperoni is actually an American creation? Many people associate pepperoni with Italian foods but it was actually made by Italian immigrants in the United States. However, it is extremely similar to another spicy cured meat you may be familiar with- salami! That is because pepperoni is modeled off of this traditional Italian meat.
Salami has been made for decades with different regions in Italy offering different varieties of the meat. Southern Italy is well known for its spicy varieties like salsiccia Napoletana piccante which is very popular in Naples or soppressata from Calabria, a salami that is also widely available in the United States.
So what exactly is the difference between pepperoni and Italian Salami? The answer is simple- the grain of the meat is much finer. Pepperoni meat is ground very small (similar to a style of salami made in Milan) which makes the meat much more flexible and softer than salami. That is why so many people prefer pepperoni rather than thicker, meatier salami. This is also why we chose to use pepperoni in this Italian salad recipe- the texture is amazing and the spicy taste is a perfect addition to the salad. After all, it does have true Italian origins as well!
A few other ingredients make this recipe fit into the Italian cuisine. Olive oil is a very common ingredient in Italy as it originated in the Mediterranean basin. You won’t find an Italian salad without olive oil! Tomatoes and lemons follow the same trend, all being native to regions around and in Italy. Italian seasoning, well, that goes without question- it is clearly Italian! Typically, Italian seasoning is a blend of basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme. You may find some brands that add garlic powder, sage or coriander which is also fantastic- this will just add some extra flavor!
Mozzarella cheese is the last ingredient that needs to be identified as clearly Italian. The first mozzarella was made in Italy from the milk of the Italian water buffalo. Now, it is regularly made with whole milk, rennet (a cheese culture), salt and citric acid. If you are able to get freshly made mozzarella, you definitely should as it is incredible in this salad. You can even try to make your own! There are many kits to help you make fresh mozzarella right in your own kitchen and, once you try extremely fresh mozzarella, you may never go back to the store-bought kind again.
As you can see, this salad is an Italian masterpiece. All of the ingredients are married together in the bowl, creating a delicious salad that you can enjoy in the winter, spring, summer or fall. It is always time for a perfect Italian dish!
Italian Spinach Salad with Pepperoni
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Print Recipe
Macros per serving:
• 360 Calories
• 31g of Fat
• 13g of Protein
• 4g of Net Carbs
Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning in a large salad bowl.
Add the spinach, mozzarella, tomatoes, and red onion and toss until evenly coated.
Add the sliced pepperoni then season with salt and pepper.
Toss to combine then cover and chill until ready to serve.
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The content on this website should not be taken as medical advice and you should ALWAYS consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. We provide nutritional data for our recipes as a courtesy to our readers. We use Total Keto Diet app software to calculate the nutrition and we remove fiber and sugar alcohols, like erythritol, from the total carbohydrate count to get to the net carb count, as they do not affect your blood glucose levels. You should independently calculate nutritional information on your own and not rely on our data. The website or content herein is not intended to cure, prevent, diagnose or treat any disease. This website shall not be liable for adverse reactions or any other outcome resulting from the use of recipes or recommendations on the Website or actions you take as a result. Any action you take is strictly at your own risk.
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD.
Dr. Rosmy Barrios, MD is an aesthetic medicine specialist whose work focuses on patients who are treated for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other weight-related issues through nutritional analysis, keto diet programs, and supporting medications.
Amanda is a professionally trained chef and expert in her field with over 17 years of culinary experience. She has a bachelors degree in Baking and Pastry Arts Management and owned her own bakery for several years. She is a mom to two young girls who are her official recipe taste testers.
