Easy Italian Sub Grinder Salad {Viral TikTok Recipe}

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Whether you're looking for a simple Italian sandwich filling, or want an easy and tasty low carb dinner, this tik tok Italian grinder salad recipe with deli meat is for you!

Smothered in a delicious creamy dressing, it's ready in minutes and topped with croutons.

You may have seen this hearty sandwich filling before, along with many viral tiktok recipes. If not, let me introduce you to this delicious grinder salad without the bread!

It's an Italian combo crunchy salad mix of cold deli meats, iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, onion, gherkins, and a deliciously creamy, tangy homemade dressing.

And the best part? It's an easy weekday meal great for any time of year and ready in minutes. There's no cooking - just bring a sharp knife and a chopping board and you're good to go!

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✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
🛒 Ingredient Notes
📋 Instructions
👩‍🍳 Substitutions
⚖️ Variations
🔪 Equipment
❄️ Storage
💡Pro Tips
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
❓ FAQ
➕ More Delicious Salad Recipes
🍽️Pairing
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

✔️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

Here are just a few reasons why we think you'll love this viral grinder sandwich salad filling:

Full of nutrition
Ready in 10 minutes or less
Great with any types of meat
Uses simple, fresh ingredients
It's a hearty salad that's full of flavour
Perfect for a cold pasta salad, cooked al dente
No cooking required with some minimal meal prep
You can use the homemade dressing with any chopped salad
Can be enjoyed alone or in an enormous sandwich, like a hoagie roll

🛒 Ingredient Notes

Please see the printable recipe card with exact ingredient quantities and preparation instructions at the bottom of this post.

Salad Ingredients

Savory deli meat - this is absolutely any cold cuts you like. I use roughly an equal mix of Italian meats, such as pepperoni, Bologna ham, and sliced hard salami

Shredded lettuce - you can use any crunchy lettuce. I use an Iceberg head of lettuce, finely sliced, or even a shredded raw cabbage and lettuce mixture similar to homemade coleslaw

Cheese - I use Emmental cheese slices, diced, but you can use colby jack, provolone cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated cheddar cheese - whatever you want!

Cherry tomatoes - for natural sweetness, but honestly, you can use baby plum, grape tomatoes, or even tomato slices of any variety. You do you!

Red onion - this is sliced and offers more anti-inflammatory properties than yellow onion

Gherkins - this is for tang and a milder than pepperoncini peppers

Salad Dressing Ingredients

Mayonnaise - for a creamy salad dressing, or you can use sour cream

Balsamic vinegar - I use this for a sweet and tangy salad dressing, or you can use tangy red wine vinegar, but you may want to add a little bit of sugar (about ¼ tsp)

Italian seasoning - these are dried herbs, or you can make your own with a mix of basil, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, etc

Garlic - this is a fresh garlic clove minced, or pressed into a paste for an extra tang. Or you can use garlic powder

Olive oil - to thin out the creamy mayo

Red pepper powder - or red pepper flakes for some stronger heat

Parmesan cheese - for a rich cheesy taste, or you can use parmigiana reggiano

Salt and black pepper - start with a little salt and pepper to taste and see if you want to increase it

📋 Instructions

Here are my step by step instructions so that you can easily make your own sub in a tub at home!

1. In a large serving bowl, toss the cheese and meats together to separate them.

2. Top with all of the salad ingredients.

3. In a large mixing bowl, stir together all of the grinder salad dressing ingredients until combined.

Or, place in a mason jar and shake well until emulsified.

4. Spoon on top of the mixed salad.

5. Now toss the antipasto salad until well coated.

6. Serve immediately with Italian bread croutons if desired, or use to make a grinder salad sandwich.

Tip: If making ahead, don't mix in the dressing until you want to eat, as the lettuce will soak up the dressing and turn limp and soggy.

👩‍🍳 Substitutions

Depending on your dietary needs, here are a few simple swaps and still make the best sub sandwich filling:

Deli meat - you can choose leftover roast beef, turkey slices, prosciutto, cooked bacon, chicken or chorizo - you name it! Or plant-based meats for a vegetarian option
Lettuce - swap for romaine lettuce or spinach for more nutrients, Alternatively, make it a meaty coleslaw with shredded cabbage and grated carrots
Cheese - use provolone cheese, mature cheddar, shredded mozzarella, or any strong or Swiss cheese etc
Tomatoes - swap for diced bell peppers, or any of your favourite sandwich ingredients
Mayonaise - feel free to swap for yogurt or sour cream for a fresher and extra creamy salad dressing

⚖️ Variations

Here are some different ways you can enhance and truly personalise this sub bowl salad recipe:

Spicy - add sriracha, hot sauce or banana peppers for extra heat
Caeser dressing - just like my authentic vitel tone recipe, you can blend in a can of tuna into the dressing along with some capers -it's delicious!
Deluxe - add capers, olives, chopped avocado, grilled artichoke hearts, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
Kid friendly - serve it in something familiar like a typical Italian sub and skip any heat for younger taste buds!

🔪 Equipment

Please note that as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links.

Large bowl
Sharp knife
Chopping board
Garlic press
Measuring cups and spoons
Kitchen scales

❄️ Storage

Storing - we prefer eating this Italian grinder sandwich filling fresh, but when storing for up to 3 days, I recommend not adding the dressing until required so that the lettuce stays crisp.

Freezing - we don't recommend freezing this grinder salad as it will ruin the properties of the salad and turn it soggy.

💡Pro Tips

For ease and quickness, use a food processor to shred all of the ingredients together
Use good quality meats and cheese for the best flavours
Try to make the dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for the flavours to meld
Toss the salad with the dressing right before serving as storing it in the fridge can wilt the salad, turning it soggy

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Here are a few serving suggestions to enjoy with this homemade subway bowl:

Bread - serve it as it's known for - as an Italian grinder sandwich, or garlic bread!

Pasta - toss with cooked pasta as a complete meal

Grains - enjoy with whole grains, such as cooked rice, lentils or cooked chickpeas

❓ FAQ

What is a grinder salad?

A grinder salad is made with shredded lettuce, deli meats, cheese, salad vegetables, and a creamy Italian dressing.

What kind of meat and cheese can I use for a grinder salad?

You can use any type deli meat and cheese that you or have at hand. Some popular choices are ham, salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, provolone, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese, etc. But ultimately, the choice is yours!

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make a grinder salad ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. However, I recommend not mixing the dressing in as it will turn the lettuce limp.

➕ More Delicious Salad Recipes

Looking for more delicious recipes like this? Try these:

🍽️Pairing

Here are a few of our favourite dishes with salads:

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