Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich (Printable)

Crispy rolls stacked with deli meats, melted cheese, and tangy vegetable salad in herb dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Bread & Cheese

01 - 4 hoagie or sub rolls, split lengthwise
02 - 4 slices provolone cheese
03 - 4 slices mozzarella cheese

→ Meats

04 - 8 slices Genoa salami
05 - 8 slices deli ham
06 - 8 slices mortadella or turkey breast
07 - 8 slices capicola

→ Salad Vegetables

08 - 2 cups iceberg or romaine lettuce, finely shredded
09 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
11 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - 1/4 cup sliced black olives

→ Dressing

13 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
14 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
15 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
16 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
17 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
18 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
19 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

20 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
21 - Grated Parmesan cheese

# How To Make It:

01 - Turn on oven broiler to high heat for melting cheese and toasting bread.
02 - Arrange split rolls on baking sheet. Layer provolone and mozzarella slices evenly on each roll half.
03 - Place under broiler for 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and bread begins to toast. Watch closely to prevent burning.
04 - Distribute salami, ham, mortadella or turkey, and capicola evenly across bottom halves of toasted rolls.
05 - In large mixing bowl, toss together shredded lettuce, red onion, pepperoncini, cherry tomatoes, and black olives.
06 - Whisk mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in small bowl until smooth and emulsified.
07 - Pour dressing over vegetable mixture and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.
08 - Mound dressed salad generously over meat layers on each roll.
09 - Sprinkle with cracked black pepper and grated Parmesan if desired. Place top roll halves over filling, press gently, and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of melty cheese and cold, crisp salad creates the most incredible texture contrast
  • Everything comes together in under 20 minutes but tastes like you spent hours at a deli counter
02 -
  • Dress the salad right before assembling or the lettuce will wilt and lose its crunch
  • The bread needs that quick broil to create a barrier against the juicy salad, otherwise you will have a soggy mess
03 -
  • Let the meat come to room temperature before assembling for the best flavor and texture
  • Grating fresh Parmesan over the top instead of using the pre-shaken kind makes a huge difference

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