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Grinder Salad is a hearty chopped salad with deli meats, provolone, crisp lettuce, and a creamy tangy dressing inspired by the popular grinder sandwich.
Inspired by the viral grinder sandwich, this Grinder Salad delivers all the bold deli flavors you love in salad form. Crisp lettuce is tossed with deli meats, provolone cheese, and a creamy, tangy dressing that pulls everything together for a hearty, satisfying dish.
The Tik-Tok Famous Grinder Salad is everything you love about the classic Italian sandwich, deconstructed into a fresh, easy bowlful. This recipe has crispy lettuce, grape tomatoes, onions, a savory combination of deli meats, mild cheese, and sweet and spicy pepperoncini peppers tossed in a tangy dressing.
If you love the idea of turning your favorite sandwiches into salads (like this crispy BLT salad), you’re going to want to try this grinder salad ASAP!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.
- Lettuce – Iceberg or Romaine work great for this salad
- Deli Meat – Salami, deli ham, and pepperoni are most commonly used.
- Cheese – The recipe calls for provolone, but you could use any cheese that you like.
- Tomatoes
- Onion
- Pepperoncini Peppers
Dressing
- Mayonnaise
- Parmesan Cheese
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Garlic
- Sugar – Just a little bit of sugar in a dressing helps balance out the acidity and makes for a smoother tasting dressing.
- Seasoning – Italian seasoning (either store-bought or homemade), salt, and black pepper.
Grinder Salad
Ingredients
- 8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
- 8 oz salami, chopped
- 8 oz deli ham, chopped
- 8 oz pepperoni, chopped
- 8 oz provolone cheese, chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
- ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
- ½ cup pepperoncini peppers
Dressing
- ½ cup mayo
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl mix together all of the ingredients for the dressing. Mix until well combined. Cover and store in the fridge until ready to use.½ cup mayo, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar, 3 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons sugar, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- In a large bowl add all of the salad ingredients.8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce, 8 oz salami, 8 oz deli ham, 8 oz pepperoni, 8 oz provolone cheese, 1 cup grape tomatoes, ½ cup thinly sliced red onion, ½ cup pepperoncini peppers
- Pour the dressing over the top and mix until everything is well coated.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make a Grinder Salad
- Make the dressing. First, you’ll whisk together the dressing ingredients. Cover and refrigerate the dressing until you’re ready to use it.
- Prepare the salad. Combine all of your salad ingredients in a large serving bowl.
- Combine. Drizzle the dressing all over the salad and toss to coat. Serve this grinder salad as a light lunch or as a side with your favorite mains, see below for ideas.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Replace the seasonings in the dressing. The parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in the salad dressing can be replaced with my pre-mixed Italian dressing mix.
- Dress the salad just before serving. Leave off the dressing until you’re ready to serve. This way, the lettuce and ingredients stay fresh and crisp, and not soggy.
- Try a different dressing. Adapt this creamy dressing to taste by adding more vinegar and seasonings. You can also try a lighter option, like apple cider vinaigrette.
- Change up the deli meats. In place of salami, ham, and pepperoni, try sliced turkey, roast beef, or any meat you’d like. Feel free to mix and match your favorites!
- More add-ins. Add pitted olives, sliced bell peppers, capers, or crispy homemade croutons. Creamy avocado is another tasty add-on to an Italian grinder salad.
- More protein. Top your grinder salad with sliced or diced grilled chicken (like this grilled chicken antipasto salad). Steak bites also taste great.
Storing Leftovers
This salad is best enjoyed right away, since the lettuce becomes soggy the longer it sits. Try to store the salad separately from the dressing. If you have leftovers, store them airtight in the fridge for up to 2 days.
This is so good! I love a good grinder salad, and your recipe is spot on. I love the flavors and how easy it is.
This recipe is a home run! I recommend it to everyone!
I can’t get enough of this salad. I’ve been making it on repeat. The dressing is AMAZING
Oh man this really hit the spot. Made it last night for a family party. Thanks a bunch!
I had this for lunch yesterday and I loved it! Perfect on busy weekdays!
This salad is going to be a staple of mine this summer! It’s amazing
Absolutely loved the Grinder Salad recipe! The mix of flavors and textures was just phenomenal. I used it to top off some homemade subs, and it was a game-changer. Such a fresh addition to our meal
Ingredients are now on my shopping list!!! Can’t wait to try this.