Why is it Called a Grinder Salad?
The grinder salad is a deconstructed version of the viral TikTok grinder sandwich. And if the past has taught me anything, recipes shared on TikTok can be delicious (Gigi Hadid pasta recipe or cinnamon rolls with heavy cream). But long before social media popularized the recipe, this classic Italian-American sandwich was named the grinder, and it’s been around for ages.
While some attribute its name to the “grinders,” a term used by Italian-American dockworkers, the more widely accepted origin involves the sandwich itself. Piled high with generous layers of meat, cheese, and other flavorful fillings – the sub sandwich was so large it presented a challenge for those biting into it, so much that people had to grind their teeth into it. Since our sub salad recipe or “sub in a tub” draws inspiration from the iconic grinder sandwich, it proudly carries its name.
Grinder Salad Ingredients
- Grinder Salad Dressing Ingredients: Whisk mayonnaise (Duke’s), red wine vinegar, olive oil, and minced garlic together in a bowl. Season it with dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. If you’re in a hurry, mix mayo with store-bought Italian dressing for a quick and tasty option.
- Lettuce: Choose from iceberg lettuce or romaine for the base of the salad.
- Tomato: Slice cherry or grape tomatoes in half, or cut firm, ripe beefsteak tomatoes into small slices for our grinder salad recipe.
- Pepperoncini: Sliced pepperoncini are the best part of the salad for me! You can also use banana peppers for a bit of zing, and if you prefer something spicier, reach for red hot peppers.
- Onion: Thinly slice the red onion for mild flavor and a nice pop of color.
- Protein: Various deli meats make up the salad, including chopped salami, pepperoni, and turkey.
- Provolone: Slices of cheese, typically provolone, mozzarella, or Colby jack, are added for a creamy element.
Additions and Substitutions
- Use romaine or butter lettuce instead of iceberg. You can also use shredded Brussels sprouts or cabbage for a crispier variation.
- Replace the protein in our recipe with popular choices like ham, capicola, prosciutto, rotisserie chicken, or chopped bacon.
- Include more chopped vegetables in the salad, such as artichokes, olives, banana peppers, cucumbers, pickles, and bell peppers.
- Truly deconstruct the sandwich by topping the salad with Italian-seasoned croutons or toasted crostini for a bread component.
How to Make A Grinder Salad
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Add the ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl and stir to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper then set it aside.
Step 2: Chop and prepare the ingredients for the salad and add them to the serving bowl.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the top and stir to mix.
Expert Tips
- Go the mice en place route and prep the ingredients separately to prevent the salad from becoming soggy, and stir in the dressing just before you dig in.
- For optimum freshness, grab a head of lettuce and chop it yourself instead of reaching for pre-shredded lettuce.
- Cut the meat and cheese the same size for a more consistent bite.
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Serving Suggestions
Who remembers Choose Your Own Adventure? Well, this salad is kind of like that.
- Sandwich: Fill a sub, croissant, or regular sandwich bread with the grinder salad.
- Wrap: Use a tortilla, low-carb wrap, or collard green leaves to make a wrap with the lettuce mixture.
- Toast: Top avocado toast with the fresh salad.
Our tasty Italian salad is a great stand-alone meal if you prefer to keep it simple or pair it with a warm bowl of soup, such as tomato bisque, hamburger soup, or minestrone. Lighten the meal by eating it with fresh fruit like watermelon, berries, grapes, and oranges. And if you’re in the mood for something salty, crispy potato chips never disappoint.
What to do With the Leftovers
- How long does Grinder Salad last? Store the leftovers in an airtight container; the salad will keep in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
- Repurpose – Use the leftovers to fill a wrap, sandwich bread, croissant, or pao de sal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the grinder sandwich from?
If you’re on TikTok, then you know what a grinder is. For those who don’t, the grinder sandwich originated in the early 20th century in Italian-American communities, particularly in Philadelphia and New York City.
Italian immigrants popularized the sandwich, bringing their culinary traditions and introducing the concept of a hearty sandwich with Italian bread and a variety of fillings.
What is a grinder sandwich made of?
A grinder sandwich (sub or hoagie) is a long roll crafted from Italian or French bread. The hearty sandwich is brimming with deli meats like ham, turkey, salami, prosciutto, capicola, or pepperoni, generously stacked with cheese.
Dressing for the sandwich can include mayonnaise, olive oil, vinegar, or Italian dressing. And toppings play a vital role in serving the sandwich. The most popular toppings are shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and pepperoncini, but some recipes call for roasted red peppers, hot peppers, olives, or sliced cucumber.
Can I make this ahead of time?
If you make the whole salad in advance, it will be a soggy mess after a few days. However, this salad is perfect for making salad in a jar, which is how I meal-prep the salad.
Begin with the dressing at the bottom of an airtight glass jar, followed by the tomatoes, pepperoncini, turkey, salami, pepperoni, and provolone. Finish with shredded lettuce and red onion.
Store the salad for 2-3 days, and when you’re ready to eat, give the salad a little shake and dig in.
More Salad Recipes:
Grinder Salad
- Small Bowl
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1½ teaspoon oregano, dried
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ⅓ cup pepperoncinis, sliced
- ½ large red onion, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces turkey, chopped
- 4 ounces salami, chopped
- 4 ounces pepperoni, chopped
- 4 ounces provolone, chopped
- Add the ingredients for the dressing to a small bowl and stir to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper then set it aside.
- Chop and prepare the ingredients for the salad and add them to the serving bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the top and stir to mix.
- Go the mice en place route and prep the ingredients separately to prevent the salad from becoming soggy, and stir in the dressing just before you dig in.
- For optimum freshness, grab a head of lettuce and chop it yourself instead of reaching for pre-shredded lettuce.
- Cut the meat and cheese the same size for a more consistent bite.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.