Easy Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini: The Ultimate 3-Ingredient Holiday Appetizer

This incredibly easy, three-ingredient Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini recipe creates the ideal holiday appetizer! Perfect for serving as a quick snack or a vibrant addition to any festive cheeseboard for Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations.

As a food blogger, I’m often associated with crafting elaborate, multi-step recipes and sophisticated culinary creations. While I truly enjoy those projects, I’ll let you in on a little secret: sometimes, even I crave simplicity, especially when life gets hectic.

Believe it or not, when family comes to visit, I frequently find myself too tired to prepare an extensive dinner. Our days are often packed, running around Pittsburgh, moving from one fun activity to the next. More often than not, we end up dining out or opting for the ultimate quick fix – a frozen pizza.

I always aim to have a homemade dessert ready, but there are weeks when my schedule is so packed (and my energy reserves so low) that even that feels like an impossible task. The guilt can be real, as I know my family enjoys my cooking. However, when you work full-time, especially when your profession involves cooking and baking for a living, it’s often challenging to find the time or motivation to whip up extra dishes outside of work.

Despite the busy schedule, I do make an effort to throw together some simple snacks. Sometimes it’s my beloved nacho cheese dip, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Other times, it’s a batch of buffalo chicken dip, always a hit. But when I truly need something effortless yet impressive, I turn to a new favorite: Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini.

This “stupid easy” snack, as I like to call it, only requires three ingredients: savory salami, creamy provolone cheese, and tangy pepperoncini peppers. It’s an absolute lifesaver, especially during the demanding holiday season. Let’s face it – the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve are a whirlwind of busy schedules. From family visiting to attending festive Christmas parties and catching up with friends at charming holiday pop-up bars, there’s rarely a moment to spare.

When you’re hosting a get-together amidst this holiday rush, assembling quick and delicious snacks on a charcuterie board is infinitely easier than attempting to cook a large, elaborate dinner. This is precisely where the Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini shines, offering maximum flavor with minimal effort.

How Do You Make Salami Roll Ups?

Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini are often affectionately referred to as salami roll-ups, and for good reason. While the salami might not form a perfectly tight “roll” around some of the larger peppers, the concept is the same, and the result is equally delicious. It’s an incredibly straightforward process that anyone can master in minutes, making it the ultimate quick appetizer for any occasion.

Here’s how to make these delightful bites:

1. **Prepare the Pepperoncini:** Start by thoroughly draining your pepperoncini peppers. It’s crucial to pat them completely dry with a paper towel. Excess moisture can make the salami and cheese difficult to adhere and can dilute the flavors.
2. **Assemble the Wrap:** Take one slice of high-quality salami. Lay it flat, and then place a half-slice of provolone cheese on top. Position a dried pepperoncini pepper at one end of the salami and cheese.
3. **Wrap and Secure:** Gently wrap the salami and cheese around the pepperoncini. Depending on the size of your pepper, you might get a neat roll or a slightly more open wrap, but either way, it will be fantastic. To ensure everything stays together, secure each Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini with a toothpick. And just like that, you’re done!

How easy was that? (As I channel my inner Ina Garten, because “store-bought is fine,” but homemade in 5 minutes is even better!)

What Exactly is a Pepperoncini?

A pepperoncini is a delightful Italian chili pepper, most commonly found in its pickled form. Often confused with banana peppers due to their similar color and mildness, pepperoncini distinguish themselves with a slightly wrinklier and thinner skin. They are typically a beautiful golden-green hue, making them visually appealing on any platter.

One of the best qualities of the pepperoncini is its incredibly mild heat level. It registers very low on the Scoville hotness scale, making it barely spicier than a common bell pepper (which has a Scoville rating of zero). This gentle spice and pleasant tang make it an approachable ingredient for all palates, adding a lovely bright flavor without overwhelming heat. I specifically used whole golden pepperoncini for this recipe, which are conveniently pickled and ready to eat straight from the jar. This convenience is key to making these savory pepperoncini appetizers in mere minutes!

To further enhance the flavors and textures on my cheeseboard, I complemented the Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini with other pickled delights like giardiniera, sliced banana peppers, briny manzanilla olives, and rich kalamata olives. These additions create a harmonious balance of flavors and provide extra visual interest.

What Cheese Goes Best with Salami?

When it comes to pairing cheese with salami, you want a cheese that complements the rich, savory, and often spicy notes of the cured meat without overpowering it. For these Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini, I chose provolone, and it truly is a perfect match. Provolone offers a mild, slightly nutty flavor and a semi-firm texture that’s easy to slice and wrap. Its creaminess balances the tang of the pepperoncini and the saltiness of the salami beautifully.

Another excellent choice that works equally well is mozzarella cheese. Fresh mozzarella, with its delicate milky flavor and soft texture, or even a low-moisture mozzarella, would be delightful. Both provolone and mozzarella melt wonderfully if you were to warm these up slightly (though they are traditionally served cold), and their mild profiles allow the salami and pepperoncini to truly shine.

A practical tip for assembly: depending on the specific size of your pepperoncini and salami slices, you might need to adjust the cheese. While I often find the salami slices are generally a good size, I frequently need to cut the provolone (or mozzarella) slices in half, or even into thirds, to ensure they fit neatly and wrap securely around each pepper without too much excess.

What Should I Put on My Cheese Board?

While these Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini are perfectly delicious served simply on a plate, they truly come alive when presented as part of a lavish cheeseboard. Building a diverse and appealing cheeseboard around them elevates the entire appetizer experience. A well-curated cheeseboard offers something for everyone and creates a beautiful centerpiece for any gathering. To ensure a balanced and exciting board, I always aim to include items from several key categories:

• Cheese: The Essential Core
  It simply wouldn’t be a cheeseboard without a delightful selection of cheeses! This is your opportunity to explore new flavors and textures. Don’t shy away from unique options like my Olive Baked Brie. However, since everyone’s palate differs, it’s always wise to include a few fail-safe, widely loved cheeses such as a sharp cheddar, a creamy brie, or a zesty pepper jack for those who might prefer more familiar tastes. To save money and customize your board, consider buying blocks of cheese and cutting your own cubes, slices, and wedges. Aim for a mix of hard, soft, and semi-hard varieties.
• Something Meaty: Savory Counterpoints
  No cheeseboard feels complete without a selection of cured meats to complement the cheeses. Beyond the salami used in our pepperoncini wraps, consider adding thin slices of pepperoni, rich prosciutto, spicy coppa, or savory soppressata. These meats provide a wonderful salty, umami kick and a different texture. Arrange them in interesting ways, such as folded into quarters or fanned out, to add visual appeal.
• Something Pickled or Marinated: A Burst of Tang
  Pickled and marinated items are crucial for cutting through the richness of the cheeses and meats, offering a refreshing tangy contrast. Olives are a perennial favorite on cheeseboards, especially varieties stuffed with garlic, cheese, or pimento. Our Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini recipe already adds a delightful crunch and mild spice from the pickled peppers. To further expand this category, I also love to include giardiniera (a mix of pickled vegetables like carrots, celery, and cauliflower), small cornichons, marinated artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers.
• Something Salty: The Perfect Crunch
  Salty elements like nuts add a much-needed crunch and another layer of flavor. Opt for crowd favorites such as roasted pistachios, crunchy almonds, and buttery cashews. You can also include candied nuts for a sweet-and-salty combination, or even some artisanal pretzels or breadsticks.
• Something Sweet: Balancing Flavors
  Fruit is an absolute must-have on any cheeseboard. It not only provides a healthier option but also acts as a natural palate cleanser and helps to balance the savory richness of the meats and cheeses. The best strategy is to browse the produce section and select what’s in season. Grapes, pomegranate arils, and crisp apple slices are perfect for winter. For other seasons, consider berries, figs, or melon. You can also incorporate dried fruits like dried apricots, sweet dried cranberries, or chewy dates to fill in gaps and add intense bursts of flavor. Jams, jellies (like fig jam or apricot preserves), and a drizzle of honey are also fantastic sweet additions.
• Something Crunchy: The Essential Vehicle
  Texture is paramount when planning a cheeseboard, and you’ll definitely need some kind of vessel to scoop up all that delicious cheese and spread! Offer a variety of shapes and flavors to keep things interesting. Think classic round butter crackers, square wheat crackers, crispy crostini made from a sliced French baguette, or even gluten-free options. The contrast of soft cheese on a crisp cracker is simply irresistible.

After whipping up a batch of these amazing Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini, you might find yourself with some leftover salami. Don’t let it go to waste! It’s the perfect opportunity to try my equally delicious Antipasto Pasta Salad, which makes excellent use of extra cured meats and pickled vegetables.

Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini

Yield:
1 dozen

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
15 minutes

This easy three ingredient Salami Wrapped Pepperoncini makes the ideal holiday appetizer! Serve it as a snack on cheeseboards for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Ingredients

• 12 slices salami
• 6 slices provolone cheese, cut in half
• 12 whole golden pepperoncini, drained and patted dry

Instructions

1. Wrap one slice of salami and one half of cheese around each pepper. Secure with a toothpick.

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