Zesty TikTok Viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich (Print Version)

TikTok Viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich: Recreate the sensation at home! Get that tangy, creamy crunch with our easy, personal recipe. Build yours!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Dietary: Contains Meat & Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Grinder Salad Base

01 - 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
02 - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
03 - 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 cup banana peppers, sliced

→ Creamy Dressing

05 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise
06 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
07 - 1 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Meaty & Cheesy Layers

13 - 4 oz thinly sliced deli ham
14 - 4 oz thinly sliced salami
15 - 4 oz thinly sliced pepperoni
16 - 6 slices provolone cheese

→ The Bread

17 - 4 ciabatta rolls or hoagie rolls, split lengthwise

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, let's get those veggies ready! Finely shred your iceberg lettuce. I mean, really finely, like you're preparing for a coleslaw. Then, thinly slice your red onion and halve those cherry tomatoes. Slice your banana peppers if they aren't already. This is where I always make a bit of a mess, with lettuce bits flying everywhere, but it's part of the fun, right? You want a consistent texture for that perfect salad bite.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good, vigorous whisk until it's super smooth and creamy. I once just stirred it lazily, and it had little lumps of mayo – oops! You want that dressing to be perfectly emulsified, smelling wonderfully tangy and garlicky, ready to coat every single piece of lettuce.
03 - Now for the messy, but oh-so-satisfying part! Add your shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, halved tomatoes, and banana peppers to the bowl with the dressing. Toss, toss, toss! Use your hands if you want (I totally do sometimes). Make sure every single piece of veggie is coated in that dreamy dressing. It should look vibrant and glistening, a beautiful, creamy TikTok Viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich filling. Don't be shy with the mixing!
04 - Split your ciabatta or hoagie rolls lengthwise. You can brush them lightly with olive oil if you're feeling fancy, or just leave them plain. Pop them under the broiler for a couple of minutes, or in a toaster oven, until they're lightly golden and just a little crispy. This is where I almost always forget about them and they get a bit too dark – my kitchen smells like slightly burnt bread sometimes, haha! Keep a close eye on them; we want toasted, not charred.
05 - Once your bread is perfectly toasted, it’s time for the good stuff. Layer your ham, salami, pepperoni, and provolone cheese onto the bottom half of the bread. You can arrange them artfully or just pile them on – I usually go for the pile method, because who has time for perfection when hunger strikes? Feel free to add a bit more cheese if you're like me and believe there's no such thing as too much cheese on your TikTok Viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich.
06 - Now for the grand finale! Spoon a generous amount of your creamy grinder salad over the layered meats and cheese. Really pile it high; this is a sandwich meant to be overflowing. Place the top half of the bread on, press down gently (or not so gently, it’s going to be messy anyway!), and slice in half. The final result should look like a glorious, overflowing masterpiece, smelling of tangy dressing and savory deli meats. Get ready to dive into your incredible TikTok Viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overdress the salad too far in advance, or the lettuce will get soggy. Mix it right before assembling for maximum crunch!
02 - Toasting the bread is CRITICAL. It creates a barrier against the dressing and adds amazing texture. I learned this the hard way with a soggy bottom.
03 - Use quality deli meats and cheese; it truly makes a difference in the overall flavor of your TikTok Viral Italian Grinder Salad Sandwich.
04 - For an extra punch, add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley to the salad right before serving.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - whisk
03 - sharp knife
04 - cutting board
05 - toaster oven or broiler

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 650 kcal
Total Fat: 45g
Total Carbohydrate: 35g
Protein: 30g

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