Description
This Chopped Italian Grinder Salad is a bold, tangy, and satisfying dish packed with crisp lettuce, hearty deli meats, cheese, and a creamy Italian dressing. It’s perfect as a side dish, a sandwich filling, or even a standalone meal. Every bite is bursting with savory, salty, and zesty flavors that mimic the classic Italian sub in salad form.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 1 small head iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
- 1 small head romaine lettuce, finely chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small cucumber, diced
- 1 avocado, diced (optional, for creaminess)
- 6 slices deli turkey, chopped
- 6 slices deli salami, chopped
- 6 slices deli ham, chopped
- 4 slices provolone cheese, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup banana peppers, chopped (optional, for tanginess)
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup croutons (optional, for crunch)
For the Creamy Italian Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
For Garnish & Extras:
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (for extra heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (for extra Italian flavor)
Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Instructions
1. Prepare the Salad Ingredients
- Chop the iceberg and romaine lettuce into small bite-sized pieces.
- Thinly slice the red onion and dice the tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado (if using).
- Chop the deli meats and cheese into small pieces for easy mixing.
2. Make the Creamy Italian Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper.
- Mix until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning if needed.
3. Assemble the Salad
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped lettuce, onion, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, meats, cheese, banana peppers, olives, and croutons (if using).
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Serve & Enjoy
- Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and oregano if desired.
- Serve immediately as a salad or use it as a sandwich filling in a toasted hoagie roll.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a main dish with garlic bread or focaccia on the side.
- Use as a filling for an Italian grinder sandwich in a crusty sub roll.
- Pair with a bowl of tomato soup or minestrone for a complete meal.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a main dish with garlic bread or focaccia on the side.
- Use as a filling for an Italian grinder sandwich in a crusty sub roll.
- Pair with a bowl of tomato soup or minestrone for a complete meal.