Description
This Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich offers a flavorful and hearty combination of classic Italian deli meats, fresh vegetables, and a creamy, tangy salad dressing. Perfectly broiled to melt the provolone cheese and crisp the meats, this sandwich is a delicious, easy-to-make meal ready in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing and Salad
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter variation)
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (any vinegar of choice can work as a substitute)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (feel free to use fresh minced garlic instead)
- 1 teaspoon oregano (dried Italian seasoning can be an alternative)
- Salt and pepper to taste (adjust to your taste)
- 2 cups shredded lettuce (swap with spinach for a different texture)
- 1 medium red onion, sliced (green onions can be a milder substitute)
- 1/2 cup banana peppers (any pickled peppers can be used)
Sandwich Ingredients
- 4 oz salami (prosciutto can be used for a different taste)
- 4 oz pepperoni (turkey pepperoni is a leaner alternative)
- 4 oz turkey (chicken can also work well as a substitute)
- 4 oz provolone cheese (mozzarella can be used for a milder flavor)
- 1 medium tomato, thickly sliced (opt for heirloom for best taste)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (Pecorino Romano could be a suitable alternative)
- 4 sub rolls (any crusty bread can serve instead)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and prepare vegetables by shredding lettuce, slicing onion and tomato, and draining banana peppers for use in the salad and sandwich assembly.
- Make the Salad Dressing and Salad: In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Fold in the shredded lettuce, sliced onion, and banana peppers until they are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Assemble the Sandwich Base: Split the sub rolls open and layer each with 1 oz salami, 1 oz pepperoni, 1 oz turkey, and top with 1 oz of provolone cheese, creating a hearty foundation for the sandwich.
- Broil the Sandwiches: Preheat the oven broiler to high. Place the assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil for 2 to 3 minutes, monitoring closely until the provolone cheese melts and the edges of the meats start to crisp slightly.
- Finish the Sandwich: Remove the sandwiches from the oven. Add tomato slices on top, season to taste, spoon a generous amount of the prepared grinder salad over the tomato, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese. Close the sandwiches and cut them in half if desired before serving.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt in the dressing.
- Fresh minced garlic can replace garlic powder for stronger flavor.
- Choose crusty bread like ciabatta or baguette if sub rolls aren’t available.
- Watch the sandwiches carefully when broiling to prevent burning.
- Turkey or chicken can be used instead of pork-based meats for a leaner sandwich.
- Feel free to add other pickled vegetables or greens to the salad for variety.
