Description
This Italian Grinder Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, banana peppers, deli meats, and cheese, all tossed in a creamy Italian dressing. Perfect as a refreshing main salad or as a hearty sandwich filling, this no-cook recipe delivers classic Italian-American flavors with ease in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
- 1/2 cup iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup banana peppers, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped deli meats (ham, salami, pepperoni)
- 1/4 cup chopped provolone or mozzarella cheese
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, place the chopped romaine, sliced iceberg lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, drained banana peppers, chopped deli meats, and chopped cheese, ensuring all components are evenly mixed.
- Prepare the Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and creamy, blending the flavors thoroughly.
- Toss Salad and Serve. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated. Serve immediately as a main dish salad or spoon the mixture into a hoagie roll to create a flavorful grinder sandwich filling.
Notes
- For a low-carb option, serve the salad chopped in a bowl rather than using a sandwich roll.
- Enhance crunch and flavor by adding sliced pepperoncini, cucumbers, or olives.
