Grinder Salad with Italian Dressing Recipe

Introduction

Grinder Salad is a hearty and flavorful dish combining crisp lettuces, savory deli meats, and a creamy Italian dressing. This salad captures the essence of a classic grinder sandwich in a fresh, vibrant bowl that’s perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
• 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
• 8 slices provolone cheese, thinly sliced
• 1/4 pound sliced ham, chopped
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced sopprasetta salami, chopped
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced genoa salami, chopped

Creamy Italian Dressing

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup pepperoncini liquid
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Crushed red pepper and cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, pepperoncini liquid, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and cracked black pepper. Stir well to create the creamy Italian dressing.
2. Step 2: Prepare the vegetables and meats by slicing and chopping as needed. In a large bowl, add the shredded romaine and iceberg lettuces. Top with ham, sopprasetta salami, genoa salami, provolone cheese, sliced red onion, pepperoncini peppers, and halved cherry tomatoes.
3. Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
4. Optional Step: For meal prep, divide the dressing into individual mason jars. Layer the peppers, tomatoes, and onions first, followed by the meats and cheese, and finish with the shredded lettuce on top. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. When ready to eat, flip the jar contents into a bowl and toss.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh, high-quality deli meats and cheese for the best flavor.
• Adjust the amount of pepperoncini peppers and liquid to suit your preferred level of tanginess and spice.
• For a lighter dressing, substitute half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
• Add sliced cucumbers or olives to enhance the Mediterranean profile.
• Use a sharp knife or a good veggie chopper to make prepping quicker and easier.

Storage

Store any leftover salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The salad is best eaten within 1 to 2 days to maintain freshness and crispness. If prepared as a mason jar salad, it can last up to 5 days refrigerated. Re-toss the salad with dressing before serving to rejuvenate flavors. Avoid storing the salad tossed for a long time as the lettuce may become soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of lettuce in this salad?

Yes, you can substitute romaine and iceberg with other crisp lettuces like green leaf or butter lettuce depending on your preference.

Is this salad suitable for meal prepping?

Absolutely! Layering ingredients in mason jars as described keeps everything fresh and easy to grab for quick meals during the week.

Grinder Salad with Italian Dressing Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 77 reviews

This Grinder Salad is a hearty and flavorful cold salad featuring a mix of shredded romaine and iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncini peppers, provolone cheese, and a variety of Italian meats. Tossed with a creamy Italian dressing made from mayonnaise, pepperoncini liquid, parmesan, and Italian seasonings, it offers a perfect balance of tangy and savory flavors. Ideal for a quick meal or meal prep in mason jars, this salad brings the delicious taste of an Italian grinder sandwich into a fresh, bowl-ready dish.

• Author: Joe
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients

• 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
• 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
• 8 slices provolone cheese, thinly sliced
• 1/4 pound sliced ham, chopped
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced sopprasetta salami, chopped
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced genoa salami, chopped

Creamy Italian Dressing

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup pepperoncini liquid
• 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Crushed red pepper, to taste
• Cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup pepperoncini liquid, 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 cloves minced garlic, 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, crushed red pepper, and cracked black pepper to taste. Stir until fully blended and set aside.
2. Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Using a sharp knife or veggie chopper, shred the romaine and iceberg lettuces. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, thinly slice the red onion, and slice the pepperoncini peppers. Chop the ham, sopprasetta salami, and genoa salami into bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice the provolone cheese.
3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, add the shredded lettuce as the base. Top evenly with the chopped ham, salami varieties, provolone slices, red onions, pepperoncini peppers, and cherry tomatoes.
4. Toss and Serve: Pour the prepared creamy Italian dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
5. Optional Meal Prep: For mason jar salads, divide the dressing into individual jars. Layer hearty toppings first including peppers, tomatoes, and onions, followed by meats and cheese, and finish by adding the shredded lettuce on top. Seal jars and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Before serving, invert the jar contents into a bowl and toss with the dressing.

Notes

• Use freshly grated parmesan for best flavor in the dressing.
• The pepperoncini liquid adds tanginess, so adjust amount based on preference.
• Mason jar meal prep keeps the salad fresh and is convenient for grab-and-go lunches.
• Consume prepared mason jar salads within 5 days for optimal freshness and safety.
• Use sliced deli meats and cheese thinly for easier mixing and balanced bites.

Keywords: Grinder Salad, Italian Salad, No Cook Salad, Creamy Italian Dressing, Mason Jar Salad, Cold Salad, Ham Salad, Salami Salad, Provolone Cheese Salad