Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich
Layered deli meats, melty provolone, and a tangy-crunchy grinder salad piled into toasted hoagie rolls. This viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich is bold, messy, and completely satisfying—ready in under 20 minutes and easy to customize for lunch, dinner, or parties.
Ingredients
For the Sandwich
- 4 rolls hoagie or sub rolls split
- 8 slices turkey breast or rotisserie chicken slices
- 8 slices turkey-based salami or beef salami
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- tomato slices optional
- sliced cucumbers optional, for extra crunch
For the Grinder Salad
- 2 cups shredded iceberg or romaine lettuce
- 0.25 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 0.25 cup pepperoncini chopped (or banana peppers)
- 0.33 cup light mayo or Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.25 tsp garlic powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Toast rolls: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Split rolls, place provolone on one side, and toast open-faced 5–7 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread edges are lightly crisp.
- Make grinder salad: In a bowl, combine lettuce, red onion, pepperoncini, mayo/Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat; chill 5–10 minutes.
- Layer sandwiches: On the melty-cheese side, add turkey and salami (plus tomato/cucumber if using). Top generously with grinder salad.
- Close & serve: Close rolls, gently press, slice in half, and serve warm and crisp.
Notes
Make it healthier: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo, whole-grain or gluten-free rolls, nitrate-free deli meats, and add extra veggies (spinach, cucumbers, shredded carrots).
Meal prep: Mix dressing components ahead (hold lettuce until serving). Toast and assemble just before eating. Wrap in parchment or foil for transport.
Variations: Spicy—add jalapeños or hot sauce. Veggie—skip meat and add roasted red peppers and artichokes. Chicken Caesar—use grilled chicken with Caesar dressing and shaved parmesan. BBQ—BBQ chicken/turkey with slaw and sharp cheddar.
Serving ideas: Pair with veggie chips, sweet potato fries, or a cucumber-tomato salad; add pickle spears or olives for a deli vibe.