This Italian Grinder Salad, also known as a Chopped Sub Salad, is a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy all the flavors of a classic Italian grinder sandwich without the bread! It’s packed with crisp iceberg lettuce, savory meats like salami and pepperoni, provolone cheese, tangy banana peppers, and a creamy, flavorful dressing. I love how this salad is both hearty and refreshing, making it perfect for a light lunch, a side dish, or even a potluck contribution. It’s a fun and flavorful twist on a classic sandwich!
Why You’ll Love This Italian Grinder Salad
- All the Flavor, No Bread: You get all the delicious flavors of an Italian grinder sandwich in a lighter, low-carb salad form.
- Hearty and Satisfying: Packed with protein and vegetables, this salad is a filling and satisfying meal.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking.
- Perfect for Potlucks: This salad is a great dish to bring to potlucks and gatherings.
Ingredients for Italian Grinder Salad
Here’s what you’ll need to make this flavorful salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Grinder Salad
- Iceberg lettuce, finely chopped (Vegetable)
- Red onion, thinly sliced (Vegetable)
- Chopped banana peppers (Vegetable)
- Chopped grape tomatoes (Vegetable)
- Salami, chopped (Meat)
- Pepperoni, chopped (Meat)
- Turkey, chopped (Meat)
- Provolone cheese, chopped (Dairy)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (Dairy)
Grinder Salad Dressing
- Mayonnaise (Condiment)
- Red wine vinegar (Acid)
- Banana pepper juice (Flavoring)
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Dried oregano (Herb)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Pepper (Spice)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Italian Grinder Salad as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Meats: Use other Italian deli meats, such as ham, capicola, or mortadella.
- Add More Vegetables: Toss in some chopped cucumbers, bell peppers, or olives.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Different Cheese: Use mozzarella, provolone, or a blend of Italian cheeses.
- Vegetarian: Omit the meat and add more vegetables, or substitute with a plant-based protein.
How to Make Italian Grinder Salad
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Italian Grinder Salad (Chopped Sub Salad):
Prepare the Salad Ingredients
- First, I add the finely chopped iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, chopped banana peppers, chopped grape tomatoes, chopped salami, chopped pepperoni, chopped turkey, chopped provolone cheese, and grated Parmesan cheese to a large mixing bowl.
Make the Dressing
- Next, in a small bowl or jar, I combine the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, banana pepper juice, garlic powder, oregano, and salt until smooth.
- I season with black pepper to taste.
Combine and Serve
- I pour the dressing over the lettuce mixture.
- I toss the salad thoroughly until all the salad ingredients are combined and evenly coated with the dressing.
- I serve immediately
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Grinder Salad
Here are my secrets for making this salad truly exceptional:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh, high-quality ingredients will give you the best flavor.
- Chop Everything Finely: Chopping the ingredients finely ensures that you get a little bit of everything in each bite.
- Dress Just Before Serving: To prevent the lettuce from getting soggy, dress the salad just before serving.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
How to Serve
This Italian Grinder Salad is perfect for:
- Lunch: A light and satisfying lunch.
- Dinner: A flavorful and easy dinner.
- Potlucks: A great dish to bring to potlucks and gatherings.
- Side Dish: Serve it as a side dish with grilled meats or sandwiches.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the salad ingredients (chop the vegetables and meats) and make the dressing ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. Toss everything together just before serving. Leftover salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the lettuce may become slightly wilted.
FAQs about Italian Grinder Salad
- Can I use a different type of lettuce?
- Yes, you can use romaine lettuce, spinach, or mixed greens.
- Can I make this without the meat?
- Yes, you can omit the meat for a vegetarian version.
- Can I use a different type of dressing?
- Yes.
Enjoy this flavorful and easy-to-make Italian Grinder Salad (Chopped Sub Salad)! It’s a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy all the flavors of a classic Italian sandwich without the bread.
Print
Italian Grinder Salad (Chopped Sub Salad)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 1x
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Italian Grinder Salad, also known as a Chopped Sub Salad, brings all the delicious flavors of an Italian grinder sandwich into a refreshing and satisfying salad. It’s loaded with chopped lettuce, meats, cheese, banana peppers, and a zesty homemade dressing.
Ingredients
For the Grinder Salad:
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup chopped banana peppers (mild or hot, to your preference)
- 1 cup chopped grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
- 1/4 pound salami, chopped
- 1/4 pound pepperoni, chopped
- 1/4 pound deli turkey, chopped
- 1/4 pound provolone cheese, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Grinder Salad Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon banana pepper juice (from the jar of banana peppers)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
For the Grinder Salad:
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup chopped banana peppers (mild or hot, to your preference)
- 1 cup chopped grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
- 1/4 pound salami, chopped
- 1/4 pound pepperoni, chopped
- 1/4 pound deli turkey, chopped
- 1/4 pound provolone cheese, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Grinder Salad Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon banana pepper juice (from the jar of banana peppers)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
Notes
- Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce provides a classic crunch, but you can substitute romaine lettuce or a mix of greens.
- Meats: You can adjust the types and amounts of meats to your liking. Other options include ham, capicola, or mortadella.
- Cheese: Provolone is traditional, but you can substitute other cheeses, such as mozzarella or provolone.
- Banana Peppers: Use mild or hot banana peppers, depending on your preference.
- Banana Pepper Juice: The banana pepper juice adds a tangy flavor to the dressing.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the salad ingredients (chop the vegetables and meats) and the dressing ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Toss the salad with the dressing just before serving.
- Serving Suggestions: This salad is a meal in itself, but you can also serve it as a side dish or in hoagie rolls for a more traditional grinder experience.