This Italian Grinder Salad is loaded with all the sandwich favorites. Deli meat, vegetables, banana peppers, and a creamy dressing combine to create a delicious fresh chopped salad.
Aimee’s Recipe Notes
Taste & Texture: Fresh colorful salad with a tangy dressing. Similar to coleslaw but loaded with meats and cheeses too.
Sandwich: Today’s salad is based off my easy Italian Grinder Sliders.
Serving Suggestion: My husband loves this chopped salad served on french rolls. I prefer the low carb salad version. You could serve this salad with a side of rolls so people can choose how to they enjoy it.
Prep Note: This salad is best on the day it’s made. However, leftovers can be kept for a couple days.
Ingredients for Grinder Salad
Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
- Lettuce- I love the crunch of iceberg lettuce in this salad. You can swap it out for YOUR favorite variety.
- Banana Peppers- also called Pepperoncini peppers. I use the sliced peppers for this salad.
- Deli Meat- a combination of deli turkey, ham, and salami is used. You can swap out the salami for prosciutto if you prefer.
- Cheese- I love using provolone and muenster cheeses in this grinder salad. You’ll also need parmesan cheese too!
- Dressing- this is a mayonnaise bsed dressing loaded with spices. You can make the dressing up to 24 hours ahead of time.
How to Make Italian Grinder Salad
Make the dressing. Whisk the dressing ingredients until smooth. This can be made up to 24 hours ahead of time.
Assemble the salad. Cut all the vegetables and diced meats and cheeses. Add the dressing when ready to serve. Sprinkle with extra parmesan cheese for best flavor!
More Salad Recipes
- This classic wedge salad recipe is loaded with bacon, tomatoes, and blue cheese dressing!
- My copycat Strawberry Pecan salad is even better than Panera’s recipe. It’s tossed with a sweet lemon poppy seed dressing for a fresh finish.
- This 7 Layer Salad is a childhood favorite served up in a trifle bowl for a beautiful presentation.
- If you love going to Olive Garden for the soup, salad, and breadsticks, try making them at home instead. Start off with my easy Olive Garden salad recipe!
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Italian Grinder Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
For the Salad
- 3 cups shredded iceburg lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half, about 6 ounces
- ½ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 2 ounces deli sliced turkey, chopped
- 2 ounces deli sliced ham, chopped
- 2 ounces deli sliced salami, chopped
- 2 ounces sliced provolone cheese, diced
- 2 ounces sliced muenster cheese, diced
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
- In a large serving bowl, combine salad ingredients. Toss gently with dressing when ready to serve.
Notes
- Assemble salad no more than two hours before serving, for best flavor.
- If desired, swap out half the salami for prosciutto for a more authentic flavor.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator and eat within 24 hours for best flavor. I assemble the salad as I serve portions to keep everything fresh and crisp.
- Grab a package of hoagie rolls and serve this salad on bread if desired.
