Italian Grinder Salad (2024)

Having thousands of rave views on social media, this grinder salad recipe is one I’m sure you will want to make again and again. A salad version of the viral grinder sandwich, this salad is made with a delicious creamy dressing, crunchy lettuce, deli meat, and cheese.

Why you will love this delicious Italian salad

If you are on social media like Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook, you have probably seen the viral grinder sandwich recipes. This is the salad version, similar to a “Sub in the tub” from Jersey Mike’s sandwich shop. I can’t stop making it!

There are so many things to love about this meal like:

Low carb – All the taste of a traditional grinder sandwich without the bread. Great if you are trying to eat less carbohydrates.

Versatile – This recipe can be easily adjusted to your taste and your favorite sandwich ingredients.

Italian grinder salad ingredients needed

• Iceberg lettuce – Iceberg lettuce is crunchy, crispy and perfect for this salad. You can substitute with Romaine lettuce or another crisp lettuce.
• Mayonnaise – Use your favorite mayonnaise like Best Foods, or Hellmans.
• Red wine vinegar – Red wine vinegar is the classic ingredient for grinder sandwiches but you can substitute with white wine vinegar or even apple cider vinegar.
• Garlic – Minced garlic.
• Parmesan cheese – Grated parmesan cheese is used in the creamy dressing.
• Salt, ground black pepper, oregano, (red pepper flakes optional) – You can also substitute oregano with Italian seasoning.
• Salami – Sliced and chopped hard salami.
• Turkey – Sliced and chopped turkey.
• Provolone cheese – Diced provolone cheese.
• Tomatoes – Sliced cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, or a large diced tomato will work.
• Red onion – Thinly sliced or diced red onions.
• Pepperoncini – Use chopped pepperoncini peppers or banana peppers.

How to make the grinder salad

Step one: Place mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Stir to combine.

Step two: Add in sliced red onions, pepperoncini, tomatoes, salami, turkey, and cheese. Top with lettuce and toss to fully combine and coat with the grinder salad dressing.

Substitutions and additions

Meat – Use your favorite grinder sandwich sliced deli meat like salami, turkey, ham, pepperoni, roast beef, or capicola.

Cheese – You can substitute provolone with cheeses like mozzarella, colby jack, monterey jack, cheddar cheese, swiss cheese, or others.

Vegetables – Try adding in more vegetables like diced cucumber, carrots, and bell peppers.

Heather’s recipe tips

• If you would like to make this into a grinder salad sandwich, toast a hoagie roll and spoon the salad mixture onto the rolls.
• Don’t like spicy food, leave out the red pepper flakes.
• I like to try and chop all of the ingredients into smaller pieces to make it easier to eat.

How to store leftover grinder salad

Store: If you won’t be serving this immediately, store the dressing separately from the salad and then toss together when ready to eat.

You can store the leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. If the salad is covered in dressing, it will only last 1-2 days before it becomes soggy. This does not freeze well.

What to serve with grinder salad

This chopped salad is great on it’s own by you can also serve alongside things like garlic bread, chicken wings, or buttered noodles.

Be sure to let me know if you try this recipe in the comments.

More salad recipes

• Apple pecan chicken salad
• Pea salad
• Corn salad
• Grape salad
• Broccoli salad