Grinder salad is a chopped, deli style salad that tastes like an Italian sub in a bowl. It's packed with crisp romaine, savory meats, provolone, and all the classic grinder toppings, then tossed with a creamy tangy dressing.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Grinder Salad
🕒 Ready In: ~15 minutes
👪 Serves: 4
🍽 Calories: ~520 per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Romaine, provolone, salami, pepperoni, ham, pepperoncini, tomatoes, red onion, olives, creamy dressing
📖 Dietary Info: Low carb, gluten-free
👌 Difficulty: Easy, chop-and-toss salad
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Everything is chopped small so you get the perfect mix in every bite, and the pepperoncini juice in the dressing adds that signature zip. It's quick, filling, and perfect when you want something that feels fun but still easy to throw together.
If you love bold salad recipes, try our Taco Salad, Grilled Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, or Smoked Salmon Salad.
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Why You'll Love this Grinder Salad:
Tastes Like a Sub: All the flavors of an Italian grinder sandwich in a chopped salad.
Creamy Tangy Dressing: Pepperoncini juice and red wine vinegar give the dressing a bold punch.
Quick and Filling: It comes together fast and feels hearty enough for a full meal.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Chop everything ahead and toss with dressing when you are ready to serve.
Key Ingredients:
- romaine lettuce. Gives the salad a crisp base that holds up well under the creamy dressing.
- provolone cheese. Adds classic deli flavor and makes the salad feel like a grinder.
- salami, pepperoni, and ham. Create the hearty, savory bite that makes this salad filling.
- pepperoncini peppers. Add tang and a little heat that balances the rich meats and cheese.
- pepperoncini juice. Boosts the dressing with that signature grinder flavor and helps cut through the creaminess.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Meat swaps: Use turkey, roast beef, or mortadella instead of ham, salami, or pepperoni.
- Cheese swap: Mozzarella or Swiss works if you do not have provolone.
- Make it lighter: Use half mayo and half plain Greek yogurt in the dressing.
- Add crunch: Add diced cucumber or shredded carrots for extra crunch.
- Make it spicier: Add crushed red pepper flakes or extra pepperoncini juice to the dressing.
How to Make Grinder Salad:
- Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, red wine vinegar, pepperoncini pepper juice, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Step 2: Add the shredded romaine to a large bowl. Layer on the provolone, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and sliced pepperoncini.
- Step 3: Add the chopped salami, pepperoni, and deli ham on top of the salad.
- Step 4: Pour the dressing over the grinder salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Serve right away, or chill for 10 to 15 minutes for the best flavor.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Chop everything small: Smaller pieces give you that true grinder salad bite where you get a little of everything at once.
- Slice onion thin: Thin slices keep the onion flavor balanced and prevent it from overpowering the salad.
- Start with less dressing: Add about three quarters of the dressing first, toss, then add more as needed.
- For the best texture: Toss right before serving so the romaine stays crisp.
- Make ahead: Prep and store the salad ingredients and dressing separately, then toss when ready to eat.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store grinder salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Best texture tip: Keep the dressing separate and toss right before serving so the romaine stays crisp.
Refresh leftovers: If the salad softens, add a handful of fresh romaine and a small spoonful of dressing, then toss again.
Grinder Salad FAQs:
Grinder salad is a chopped salad inspired by an Italian grinder sandwich. It's made with romaine, deli meats, provolone, classic toppings like pepperoncini and red onion, and a creamy tangy dressing.
Yes, you can make grinder salad ahead of time by chopping the ingredients and mixing the dressing in advance. For the best texture, store the dressing separately and toss right before serving.
Grinder salad is generally low carb because it's made mostly with lettuce, meats, cheese, and vegetables. The exact carb count depends on the dressing and toppings you use.
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Grinder Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup provolone cheese, chopped
- ½ cup salami, chopped
- ½ cup pepperoni, chopped
- ½ cup deli ham, chopped
- ½ cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, sliced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons pepperoncini pepper juice
- 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, red wine vinegar, pepperoncini pepper juice, and Italian seasoning until smooth.
- Add the shredded romaine to a large bowl. Layer on the provolone, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and sliced pepperoncini.
- Add the chopped salami, pepperoni, and deli ham on top of the salad.
- Pour the dressing over the grinder salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Serve right away, or chill for 10 to 15 minutes for the best flavor.
Nutrition
Notes
- Chop everything small: Smaller pieces give you that true grinder salad bite where you get a little of everything at once.
- Slice onion thin: Thin slices keep the onion flavor balanced and prevent it from overpowering the salad.
- Start with less dressing: Add about three quarters of the dressing first, toss, then add more as needed.
- For the best texture: Toss right before serving so the romaine stays crisp.
- Make ahead: Prep and store the salad ingredients and dressing separately, then toss when ready to eat.
Jake says
One of my favorite foods is a submarine sandwich but with trying to cut some carbs and gluten out of my life, it was a sad thing to give up. But this salad is almost better than the real thing! This has so much flavor in every bite you won't miss the bread at all.