Porchetta Sandwich with Italian Salsa Verde Recipe
Dec 17, 2024, Updated Jan 10, 2025
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This Porchetta Sandwich perfectly combines crispy porchetta and flavorful toppings in crusty bread for the perfect sandwich combo. Simple yet bursting with traditional Italian flavors, this sandwich is a true delight!
Use my porchetta roast recipe and serve on Crusty Bread or Foccacia.
Perfect Porchetta Sandwich
The traditional porchetta panino, which you find in a typical sandwich shop in Rome, typically only contains two things—sliced porchetta and a crusty bread roll. Italian food is simple! I’ve elevated the flavors for this recipe to add a little more texture and taste.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Incredible Flavor Combo: The tender, juicy porchetta paired with the zesty, fresh Italian salsa verde and peppery arugula creates a flavor explosion in every bite. It’s the ultimate savory sandwich experience!
- Crispy Meets Juicy: The contrast between the crispy bread and succulent porchetta gives you the perfect bite—crispy, juicy, and packed with bold, rustic Italian flavors.
- Quick and Easy to Assemble: With the porchetta already prepared, this sandwich comes together in minutes. You’ll have a gourmet sandwich without spending hours in the kitchen.
Whether it’s a casual lunch, an impressive dinner, or a party centerpiece, this sandwich is versatile and always satisfying. It’s a total showstopper with minimal effort!
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
These ingredients combine to create porchetta sandwiches bursting with flavor, texture, and freshness, making it a perfect example of Italian tradition.
- Porchetta slices – Tender, juicy, and rich, these slices of slow-roasted pork shoulder are the heart of the sandwich. The crispy skin adds texture, while the aromatic herbs and spices infused into the meat bring authentic Italian flavors.
- Ciabatta or focaccia bread – Soft on the inside with a slightly crispy exterior, these rustic Italian breads, or hard rolls, hold up perfectly to the hearty porchetta. Their light texture lets the flavors of the filling shine without overpowering the sandwich.
- Fresh arugula – Peppery arugula adds a fresh, green element that cuts through the richness of the porchetta and complements the other flavors.
For the Italian Salsa Verde (or herb paste):
- Flat-leaf Parsley – The vibrant base for the Italian salsa verde, brings a fresh and grassy flavor that brightens the sandwich.
- Garlic – provides a sharp, pungent bite that balances the richness of the pork in the salsa verde.
- Capers – Briny and salty, capers add a touch of acidity and an earthy, savory depth to the salsa verde.
- Anchovy fillets (optional) – These small fish pack a punch of umami flavor, giving the salsa verde a deeper, more complex taste. If you’re looking for authenticity, they’re a must!
- Dijon mustard – Adds a slight tang and creamy texture to the salsa verde.
- Red wine vinegar – Sharp and tangy, this vinegar adds acidity that helps balance the richness of the pork and makes the salsa verde pop.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Smooth and fruity, olive oil ties all the salsa verde ingredients together. It’s also used to drizzle over the sandwich for extra richness.
- Lemon zest and juice
- Sea salt and black pepper
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Porchetta Sandwich
Here’s a step-by-step guide for assembling the sandwich. For more details, see the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Cut the porchetta and the bread. Toast the bread and assemble the sandwich.
Top the arugula over the porchetta.
Make the salsa verde.
Finish assembling the sandwich.
Savor the bold flavors of Italy with this Authentic Porchetta Sandwich! Tender porchetta, crispy bread, and fresh toppings create the perfect bite. It is a simple yet irresistible Italian classic!
FAQs
Porchetta is a traditional Italian pork roast, typically made from a whole pork shoulder or belly, seasoned with rosemary, garlic, and fennel. It’s slow-cooked to achieve juicy, tender meat with a golden brown, crispy, crackling skin. Known for its bold flavors, porchetta is often the centerpiece of Italian feasts and celebrations with broccoli rabe and roasted potatoes.
For an authentic porchetta sandwich, there are several sauce options that complement the rich, savory flavors of the pork: Italian Salsa Verde: This vibrant, herb-packed sauce is a classic accompaniment for porchetta. Made with parsley, capers, garlic, and lemon, it adds a bright, tangy contrast to the richness of the meat, enhancing every bite.
Ciabatta or focaccia are the most traditional choices for this sandwich because they’re sturdy enough to hold the juicy porchetta and toppings without getting soggy. However, you can also use a crusty Italian baguette or another artisan bread of your choice.
Porchetta is traditionally made from a boneless pork belly wrapped around a piece of pork loin. This combination gives the porchetta its characteristic balance of rich, fatty layers from the belly and leaner, tender meat from the loin.
Variations
These variations offer a fun and flexible way to customize the Porchetta Sandwich, so you can enjoy it in different ways depending on your taste and occasion!
- Porchetta and Provolone Sandwich: Add slices of provolone cheese for a creamy, slightly sharp flavor that complements the savory porchetta. Melt the cheese slightly for an extra indulgent touch.
- Spicy Porchetta Sandwich: For those who enjoy the heat, spread a layer of spicy Calabrian chili paste or a drizzle of hot sauce on the bread. The spice will balance the richness of the pork, adding a bold kick.
- Porchetta Panini: Turn your sandwich into a panini! Use ciabatta or focaccia, add your favorite toppings like provolone or mustard, and press the sandwich in a panini press until crispy and golden.
How to Store Leftovers
If you plan on making sandwiches later, it’s best to store the ingredients separately. Store leftover porchetta in the fridge for 3-4 days and reheat before assembling your sandwich. If the sandwich is assembled, wrap it tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 day, but note that the bread may become soggy over time.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
- Bread choice: Ciabatta or focaccia is ideal, but you can also use a crusty Italian baguette.
- Customize: Play with the toppings to match your personal taste! Add extra greens or swap out condiments based on what you love.
- Leftovers: If you have leftover porchetta, these sandwiches are a fantastic way to repurpose it for an easy lunch or dinner.
More Sandwiches You’ll Love
Serving Suggestions
Porchetta Sandwich Recipe
Description
This Porchetta Sandwich perfectly combines crispy porchetta and flavorful toppings in crusty bread for the perfect sandwich combo. Simple yet bursting with traditional Italian flavors, this sandwich is a true delight!
Ingredients
- Porchetta slices – about 4-6 ounces per sandwich (use my homemade porchetta recipe for the best results)
- Ciabatta or focaccia bread – 1 loaf or 4 sandwich-sized pieces, lightly toasted
- Fresh arugula – 1 cup, washed and dried
- Homemade Italian Salsa Verde – recipe below
- Extra virgin olive oil – for drizzling
- Sea salt and black pepper – to taste
- Optional toppings:
- Thinly sliced fennel for a crisp, fresh crunch.
Italian Salsa Verde (makes about 1 cup)
- 1 cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and chopped
- 2 anchovy fillets, chopped (completely optional, but traditional)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Salsa Verde:
- In a bowl, combine the chopped parsley, garlic, capers, and anchovies (if using).
- Add the Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
- Gradually whisk in the olive oil until you reach a smooth, slightly thick consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to let the flavors meld while you prepare the sandwich.
Instructions for the Sandwich
- Prepare the Bread:
- Slice the ciabatta or focaccia in half horizontally to make sandwich pieces. Lightly toast the bread in the oven or on a grill until just crispy and warm. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil.
- Slice the Porchetta:
- Using a sharp knife, slice the porchetta into thin pieces. Aim for 4-6 ounces of porchetta per sandwich. Make sure to include some of the crispy, flavorful skin!
- Assemble the Sandwich:
- Lay the porchetta slices on the bottom half of each bread piece.
- Top with a generous handful of fresh arugula.
- Drizzle the Italian salsa verde over the porchetta for a zesty, vibrant kick.
- Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, and season with sea salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to taste.
- Top and Serve:
- Place the top half of the bread on the sandwich, press lightly, and slice in half if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
