This Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich is the TikTok viral sensation that lives up to the hype! It’s a unique and incredibly delicious twist on the classic Italian sub, where the “salad” – a creamy, tangy, and flavorful mixture of shredded lettuce, red onion, and banana peppers – becomes the star of the show. Layered with classic Italian meats, provolone cheese, and a sprinkle of Parmesan, all on a sub roll, this sandwich is a flavor and texture explosion. I love how this recipe is both fun to make and incredibly satisfying. Get ready to experience the viral sandwich that everyone’s talking about!
Why You’ll Love This Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich
- Viral Sensation: This sandwich has taken TikTok by storm, and for good reason – it’s incredibly delicious!
- Unique and Flavorful: The creamy, tangy grinder salad adds a unique twist to the classic Italian sub.
- Hearty and Satisfying: Packed with meats, cheese, and salad, this sandwich is a complete and filling meal.
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward instructions.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the ingredients to your liking.
Ingredients for Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich
Here’s what you’ll need to make this viral sensation. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Grinder Salad
- Mayonnaise (Condiment)
- Iceberg lettuce, shredded finely (Vegetable)
- Red onion, sliced thinly (Vegetable)
- Banana peppers, sliced (Vegetable)
- Red wine vinegar (Acid)
- Garlic powder (Spice)
- Oregano (Herb)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Pepper (Spice)
Sandwich
- Sub rolls (Bread)
- Salami (Meat)
- Pepperoni (Meat)
- Turkey (Meat)
- Provolone cheese (Dairy)
- Tomato, sliced (Vegetable)
- Parmesan cheese, grated (Dairy)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich 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 to the grinder salad.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the grinder salad dressing.
- Different Cheese: Use mozzarella or provolone cheese instead.
- Different Bread: Use hoagie rolls, ciabatta, or your favorite sandwich bread.
How to Make Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich
Let me show you how to make this viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich:
Prepare the Grinder Salad
- I add the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to a large bowl.
- I whisk everything to combine it well.
- Then, I add the shredded iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced banana peppers to the bowl.
- I combine thoroughly, making sure the lettuce mixture is evenly coated with the dressing.
Assemble the Sandwiches
- I divide the salami, pepperoni, and turkey among the sub rolls, layering the meats evenly.
- I add the provolone cheese slices on top of the meats.
Broil
- I broil the sandwiches for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the meat is crisped up.
Add Tomato and Grinder Salad
- I remove the subs from the oven.
- I add the tomato slices to the sandwiches and season them with salt and pepper.
- I add a generous amount of the prepared grinder salad to each of the sandwiches.
Finish and Serve
- I top the salad with grated Parmesan cheese.
- I close the sandwiches, cut them in half, and serve immediately!
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Grinder Salad Sandwich
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.
- Shred the Lettuce Finely: Finely shredded iceberg lettuce is key for the classic grinder salad texture.
- Don’t Overdress the Salad: Add the dressing to the salad just before serving to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy.
- Toast the Rolls (Optional): You can lightly toast the sub rolls before assembling the sandwiches for added texture.
How to Serve
This Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich is perfect for:
- Lunch: A quick, easy, and satisfying lunch.
- Dinner: A fun and flavorful dinner.
- Game Day: The perfect sandwich for watching the game.
- Picnics: Easy to transport and enjoy outdoors.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the grinder salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Assemble the sandwiches just before serving. Leftover sandwiches can be stored in the refrigerator, but the bread may become soggy.
FAQs about Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich
- Can I use a different type of lettuce?
- Iceberg lettuce is traditional for a grinder salad, but you can use romaine lettuce or a mix of 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 cheese?
- Yes
Enjoy this incredibly flavorful and fun Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich! It’s a delicious twist on a classic that’s sure to become a new favorite.
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Viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich (TikTok Made Me Do It!)
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 3 large sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main Course, Sandwich
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich, inspired by the viral TikTok trend, combines the best of both worlds: a classic Italian sub and a flavorful, creamy salad. It’s loaded with deli meats, provolone cheese, and a zesty, mayonnaise-based “grinder salad” all packed into sub rolls.
Ingredients
For the Grinder Salad:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup sliced banana peppers (mild or hot, to your preference)
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, to taste
For the Sandwiches:
- 3 sub rolls (hoagie rolls, Italian rolls)
- 1/4 pound salami, thinly sliced
- 1/4 pound pepperoni, thinly sliced
- 1/4 pound deli turkey, thinly sliced
- 1/4 pound provolone cheese, sliced
- 1 medium tomato, sliced
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Make the Grinder Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Add Salad Ingredients: Add the finely shredded iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced banana peppers to the bowl with the dressing. Toss thoroughly to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Slice the sub rolls in half lengthwise, but do not cut all the way through (leave a “hinge” on one side).
- Layer Meats and Cheese: Divide the sliced salami, pepperoni, and turkey evenly among the three sub rolls, layering them on the bottom half of each roll. Top the meats with the sliced provolone cheese.
- Broil: Place the open-faced sandwiches on a baking sheet. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the meats are slightly crisped. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Add Tomatoes: Remove the sandwiches from the oven. Place the tomato slices evenly over the melted cheese and meat. Season the tomatoes with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Add Grinder Salad: Top each sandwich with a generous amount of the prepared grinder salad.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the grinder salad.
- Close and Serve: Close the sandwiches by folding the top half of the roll over the filling. Cut each sandwich in half and serve immediately.
Notes
- Sub Rolls: Use your favorite type of sub rolls (also called hoagie rolls or Italian rolls).
- 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.
- Banana Peppers: Use mild or hot banana peppers, depending on your preference.
- Grinder Salad: The grinder salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a few hours.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve these sandwiches with potato chips, a pickle spear, or a side salad.