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Three grinder sandwich subs on a wooden board, loaded with meat, cheese, and a creamy tomato and lettuce topping.

Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich

This vibrant Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich transforms the beloved sub into a hearty, deconstructed salad, perfect for a lighter yet satisfying meal. Packed with savory deli meats, provolone, fresh veggies, and a tangy grinder dressing, it’s served on toasted sub rolls for an irresistible crunch.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Grinder Salad
  • 6 oz Iceberg lettuce thinly shredded
  • 1 cup Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup Red onion thinly sliced or finely diced
  • 4 oz Genoa salami diced
  • 4 oz Pepperoni diced
  • 4 oz Provolone cheese diced into small cubes or shredded
  • 1/4 cup Banana peppers sliced, or chopped giardiniera, optional
For the Grinder Dressing
  • 1/3 cup Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp Red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/8 tsp Black pepper freshly ground, or to taste
For Serving
  • 4 Crusty Italian sub rolls or ciabatta rolls, split lengthwise
  • 2 tbsp Mayonnaise optional, for spreading on rolls

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Toaster Oven

Method
 

Prepare the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until well combined and emulsified. Set aside.
Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded iceberg lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, diced Genoa salami, diced pepperoni, diced provolone cheese, and optional sliced banana peppers.
  2. Pour the prepared grinder dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated. Allow the salad to sit for 5-10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Prepare the Rolls
  1. Preheat your toaster oven or broiler to medium-high. Lightly toast the split Italian sub rolls for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crisp. If desired, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the inside of the toasted rolls.
Serve the Grinder Salad Sandwich
  1. Generously spoon the Italian Grinder Salad into each toasted sub roll. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

For best results, use good quality deli meats and cheese. The salad can be made up to an hour ahead of time, but for optimal crunch, dress it just before serving. If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate and combine just before assembly. You can customize the meats with capicola, mortadella, or thinly sliced ham. A dash of hot sauce in the dressing can add an extra kick.