Epic Focaccia Muffuletta (The Ultimate Italian Sandwich!)

This Epic Focaccia Muffuletta is a sandwich lover’s dream! It’s a giant, shareable sandwich inspired by the classic New Orleans Muffuletta, but with a delicious twist: it’s made with herbed focaccia bread. Layers of savory Italian cured meats, provolone cheese, and a vibrant three-olive tapenade are piled high on the fluffy focaccia, creating a sandwich that’s bursting with flavor and texture. I love how this recipe is perfect for parties, picnics, or a truly impressive lunch. Get ready for a sandwich experience you won’t forget!

Why You’ll Love This Focaccia Muffuletta

• Epic Flavor: The combination of cured meats, provolone cheese, and olive tapenade creates an incredibly flavorful sandwich.
• Herbed Focaccia: Using herbed focaccia bread adds an extra layer of flavor and a wonderful texture.
• Perfect for Sharing: This giant sandwich is ideal for feeding a crowd.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble the sandwich ahead of time, making it perfect for parties and picnics.
• Impressive Presentation: This sandwich is a showstopper!

Ingredients for Focaccia Muffuletta

Here’s what you’ll need to make this epic sandwich. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Bread

• Herbed Focaccia (Bread)

Three Olive Tapenade

• Green Olives (Castelvetrano, minced) (Olive)
• Black Olives, minced (Olive)
• Kalamata Olives, minced (Olive)
• Capers, minced (Caper)
• Garlic, grated (Aromatic)
• Olive Oil (Oil)
• Lemon Juice (Acid)
• Parsley, minced (Herb)
• Salt (Seasoning)
• Pepper (Spice)

Muffuletta Filling

• Sweet Soppressata (Meat)
• Sweet Capicola (Meat)
• Genoa Salami (Meat)
• Smoked Deli Ham (Meat)
• Provolone, sliced (Dairy)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Focaccia Muffuletta as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Different Meats: Use other Italian cured meats, such as mortadella, prosciutto, or pepperoni.
• Add Cheese: Add a layer of mozzarella or provolone cheese.
• Make it Spicy: Add some sliced pepperoncini or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the olive tapenade.
• Different Bread: Use a different type of bread, such as ciabatta or a round loaf of Italian bread.
• Roasted Red Peppers: Add roasted red peppers.

How to Make Focaccia Muffuletta

Let me show you how to assemble this epic Focaccia Muffuletta:

Make the Three Olive Tapenade

1. If you have a food processor: I add all the tapenade ingredients (green olives, black olives, Kalamata olives, capers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley) to the bowl of a food processor. I pulse several times until I reach my desired consistency. I spoon the tapenade into a serving bowl.
2. If you don’t have a food processor: I finely mince all the ingredients and add them to a mixing/serving bowl. I add the olive oil and lemon juice. I stir everything to combine.

Assemble the Muffuletta

1. I slice the herbed focaccia loaf in half, lengthwise.
2. I layer the cured meats (sweet soppressata, sweet capicola, Genoa salami, and smoked deli ham) to cover the entire bottom half of the sandwich.
3. I layer the provolone cheese slices on top of the meats.
4. I spread a generous layer of the three-olive tapenade evenly over the cheese.
5. I finish with the top half of the focaccia.
6. I cut the sandwich into smaller, handheld-size sandwiches. (This recipe will yield approximately 12 handheld size sandwiches.)

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Muffuletta

Here are my secrets for making this sandwich truly amazing:

• Use Good Quality Ingredients: Since this sandwich has relatively few ingredients, use the best quality meats, cheese, and bread you can find.
• Herbed Focaccia is Key: Using herbed focaccia adds an extra layer of flavor and a wonderful texture.
• Don’t Skimp on the Tapenade: The olive tapenade is a crucial component of this sandwich, so don’t be shy with it!
• Press the Sandwich (Optional): For a more compact sandwich, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place a heavy object (like a cookbook) on top for about 30 minutes before slicing.

How to Serve

This Focaccia Muffuletta is perfect for:

• Parties: A great centerpiece for a party or gathering.
• Picnics: Easy to transport and serve at picnics.
• Lunch: A satisfying and flavorful lunch.
• Game Day: The perfect sandwich for watching the game.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can assemble the muffuletta ahead of time, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Let it come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

FAQs about Focaccia Muffuletta

• Can I use a different type of bread?
  • Yes, you can use ciabatta, a round loaf of Italian bread, or even a regular loaf of French bread.
• Can I make this without the olive tapenade?
  • The olive tapenade is a key component of the muffuletta, but you can substitute it with a different type of spread, like a pesto or a roasted red pepper spread.
• Can I make this vegetarian?
  • Yes, you can.

Enjoy this Epic Focaccia Muffuletta! It’s a flavorful, satisfying, and impressive sandwich that’s perfect for any occasion.

Focaccia Muffuletta

• Author: Caoimhe Byrne
• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Assembly Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x
• Category: Main Course, Sandwich
• Cuisine: American

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Description

This impressive Focaccia Muffuletta is a show-stopping sandwich packed with layers of Italian cured meats, provolone cheese, and a vibrant three-olive tapenade, all nestled within a homemade herbed focaccia. It’s perfect for a party, picnic, or hearty lunch.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Bread:

• 1 batch Herbed Focaccia, sliced in half horizontally (recipe link provided in original post – you would insert your own internal link here)

For the Three Olive Tapenade:

• 1 cup green olives (Castelvetrano recommended), pitted and minced
• 1/4 cup black olives (oil-cured recommended), pitted and minced
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and minced
• 1 teaspoon capers, minced
• 1 clove garlic, grated or minced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Muffuletta Filling:

• 4 ounces sweet soppressata, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces sweet capicola, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces Genoa salami, thinly sliced
• 8 ounces smoked deli ham, thinly sliced
• 14 ounces provolone cheese, sliced (about two 7-ounce packages)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

• Make the Three Olive Tapenade:

  • Food Processor Method (Recommended): Add all the tapenade ingredients (green olives, black olives, Kalamata olives, capers, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and parsley) to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse several times until the olives are finely chopped but not completely pureed. You should still have some texture. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
  • No Food Processor Method: Finely mince the green olives, black olives, Kalamata olives, capers, and parsley. Grate or finely mince the garlic. In a medium bowl, combine the minced ingredients with the olive oil and lemon juice. Stir well to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.

• Prepare the Focaccia: Slice the herbed focaccia loaf in half horizontally, creating a top and bottom piece.

• Assemble the Muffuletta:

  • Layer Meats: On the bottom half of the focaccia, layer the cured meats (sweet soppressata, sweet capicola, Genoa salami, and smoked ham) evenly, covering the entire surface.
  • Layer Cheese: Top the meats with the sliced provolone cheese, creating an even layer.
  • Spread Tapenade: Spread the prepared three-olive tapenade evenly over the provolone cheese.
  • Top with Focaccia: Carefully place the top half of the focaccia over the tapenade.

• Cut and Serve: Cut the large muffuletta into smaller, individual sandwich portions (about 12 handheld-sized sandwiches). Serve immediately, or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for later.

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Notes

• Focaccia: This recipe calls for a homemade herbed focaccia. The original post provides a link to a recipe, which you would replace with an internal link to your own focaccia recipe. You could also use a store-bought focaccia, but homemade is always best!
• Olives: Use a variety of olives for the best flavor and texture. Castelvetrano olives are recommended for their buttery flavor.
• Cured Meats: You can adjust the types and amounts of cured meats to your liking. Other options include prosciutto, mortadella, or spicy salami.
• Make-Ahead: You can assemble the muffuletta several hours in advance and refrigerate it, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. This allows the flavors to meld. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
• Serving Suggestions: This muffuletta is a meal in itself, but you can serve it with a side salad or chips.