Description
Enjoy a light Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich this January! All the classic flavors without the heavy bread. Perfect for a fresh, low-carb meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- Salad Base & Veggies:
- 6 cups iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup banana peppers, sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- Meats & Cheeses:
- 4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto, cut into strips
- 4 oz thinly sliced salami, cut into strips
- 4 oz thinly sliced pepperoni, cut into strips
- 4 oz thinly sliced provolone cheese, cut into strips
- Grinder Dressing Essentials:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Finishing Touches:
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies:: Okay, first things first, let’s get that lettuce ready. You want about 6 cups, so chop that iceberg lettuce pretty finely. Think shredded, like it’s ready for a sandwich, but in a bowl! Then halve your cherry tomatoes and slice up that red onion super thin. I always get a little teary-eyed with the onion, honestly, but it’s worth it for that sharp, zesty bite. Pop them all into a big mixing bowl; this is where the magic starts to happen.
- Slice the Meats & Cheese:: Next up, the good stuff! Take your prosciutto, salami, and pepperoni, and slice them into thin strips or small cubes. Same goes for the provolone cheese. The goal here is bite-sized pieces so every forkful of your Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich gets a bit of everything. I used to just tear them, which worked, but slicing gives a much nicer, more uniform texture. Don’t be shy here; layer up those flavors!
- Whip Up the Grinder Dressing:: Now for the heart of the Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich: the dressing! In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, and dried oregano. This is where you can really play around. I like mine quite tangy, so I sometimes add a touch more vinegar. Taste it! Does it need more salt? A little pepper? This is your moment to make it perfect for your palate. Honestly, this dressing is what brings it all together.
- Combine Salad Ingredients:: Add your sliced deli meats, provolone cheese, banana peppers, and olives to the big bowl with the prepped lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion. This is where it starts to look like a proper Italian Grinder Salad. I always marvel at how colorful it gets! Give it a gentle toss to combine everything, making sure all those delicious ingredients are distributed evenly. Don’t add the dressing just yet, though – we’re building anticipation!
- Dress and Toss:: Pour about half of your homemade grinder dressing over the salad ingredients. Now, toss everything really well. You want every single piece of lettuce, every sliver of meat, and every tomato half to be coated in that creamy, tangy goodness. If it looks a little dry, add more dressing, a tablespoon at a time, until it’s perfectly coated to your liking. I tend to overdress, honestly, because I just love that creamy texture. Oops!
- Serve and Enjoy Your Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich:: Once everything is beautifully coated and mixed, your Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich is ready to be devoured! You can serve it immediately in individual bowls. Sometimes, I even like to crumble a few croutons on top for extra crunch, or serve it with a side of toasted bread for dipping, if I’m feeling a little less ‘lighter January’. It should look vibrant, smell wonderfully zesty, and taste absolutely fantastic – just like your favorite grinder, but in salad form. Enjoy, hon!