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Tasty Italian Salad

Featured in Fresh Salads You'll Actually Want to Eat.

Turn the viral TikTok grinder into a low-carb salad loaded with Italian meats, cheeses, fresh veggies, and a tangy dressing.
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Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:54:10 GMT
An up-close view of a colorful salad with greens, diced tomatoes, salami slices, chicken, and bell peppers in a wooden bowl. Pin it
An up-close view of a colorful salad with greens, diced tomatoes, salami slices, chicken, and bell peppers in a wooden bowl. | cookbybook.com

I'm seriously obsessed with my new lunch discovery! I jumped on the bandwagon and whipped up that Italian Grinder Salad everyone's talking about online, and wow, I can't get enough. It's got all those amazing sub sandwich flavors without any bread, and honestly? I don't even care! This tasty creation has completely transformed my midday meals, and get this - my children actually request salad now. That's a major parenting victory!

The Standout Features of This Tasty Salad

Forget bland office lunches! This bowl packs all those incredible deli flavors, and that dressing is absolutely incredible! I love how quickly it comes together, and it actually keeps hunger away until dinner time. And you can switch things up each time based on whatever's hanging out in your refrigerator.

Let's Break Down What You'll Need

  • The Meat Squad: I pack in salami, pepperoni, and turkey these days my deli counter staff recognize my regular order!
  • Cheese Please: You'll want parmesan and provolone to nail that genuine Italian taste.
  • Fresh Stuff: Crunchy iceberg really works perfectly here because it stands up nicely against the dressing.
  • The Little Extras: Cherry tomatoes, zippy banana peppers, and red onion bring brightness to every bite.
  • Dressing Stars: Grab your mayo, red wine vinegar, and don't forget that clever splash of banana pepper juice you'll thank me later!
  • Seasonings: Just your basics like oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to pull everything together.

Let's Jump Into Preparation!

Get Your Ingredients Ready
Start by cutting everything into smaller pieces because nobody wants to struggle with giant lettuce chunks! I find setting up all components before assembly makes everything go smoother.
The Famous Dressing
Here's where things get good! Combine your mayo with all those tasty seasonings. Don't skip the banana pepper juice it's what makes this dressing stand out!
Bring It Together
Throw everything in your largest bowl and pour that fantastic dressing on top. Mix it well and you're all set to enjoy!

Add Your Personal Twist

I often toss in random deli meats left from the week's lunch options. Recently I added some fiery capicola and it was fantastic! My partner goes crazy for extra provolone, and I've experimented with adding chickpeas for more protein. You really can't mess this up!

Handy Shortcuts I've Discovered

After countless times making this salad, I've picked up some tricks! Try cutting all ingredients roughly the same size for perfect bites. And if you're not a fan of strong onion flavor, try dunking them in cold water for a minute. It softens the intensity but keeps all the good taste!

Storage Solutions

Looking to prepare this ahead? Store everything separately and put dressing in small containers. I do all my prep Sunday and enjoy fresh salads throughout the week. Just combine when hunger strikes works great on busy workdays!

Great Companions For This Dish

We enjoy this with a nice hot soup for dinner. It's also fantastic for outdoor gatherings I served it at our last community cookout and returned home with nothing but compliments and recipe requests! If you're feeling indulgent, a side of garlic bread brings it back to its sandwich inspiration.

Why This Belongs In Your Rotation

This salad delivers everything wonderful about a stuffed Italian sub but in a crisp, fresh format that won't leave you dragging after lunch. It hits all the right flavor notes, fills you up properly, and actually improves after sitting for a few minutes. Plus, there's something fun about enjoying sandwich flavors in salad form, right?

A colorful salad in a brown bowl featuring lettuce, sliced pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy dressing. Pin it
A colorful salad in a brown bowl featuring lettuce, sliced pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy dressing. | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why put banana pepper juice in the dressing?
It adds a tangy kick and thins the dressing, keeping that grinder flavor everyone loves. Adjust how much you use for the zing you prefer.
→ Can this salad be prepped in advance?
You can slice and dice beforehand, but hold off mixing it until you're ready to eat. The dressing stays good in the fridge for up to 3 days.
→ What are good swaps for the meats?
Mix and match Italian deli favorites like prosciutto, capicola, mortadella, or ham. Just aim to use the same total amount for flavor balance.
→ Why cut the lettuce so small?
Tiny pieces mimic a grinder's texture, coat evenly with the dressing, and make every bite flavorful and easy to eat.
→ How long does it stay good after making?
Once dressed, it's best eaten in a day since the lettuce gets soggy. If you keep the components separate, they stay fresh 3-4 days.

Italian Salad

Low-carb salad inspired by the popular grinder sandwich—packed with deli cuts, cheese, lettuce, and a creamy Italian sauce. Great for casual meals.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Salads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 5 Servings (5 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 One head of iceberg lettuce, chopped small.
02 Half a red onion, cut into thin slices.
03 1/3 cup of diced banana peppers.
04 One cup of chopped grape tomatoes.
05 Quarter pound of chopped salami.
06 Quarter pound of chopped pepperoni.
07 Quarter pound of chopped turkey meat.
08 Quarter pound of chopped provolone cheese.
09 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
10 Half a cup of mayonnaise.
11 Two tablespoons of red wine vinegar.
12 A teaspoon of juice from the banana peppers jar.
13 A teaspoon of garlic powder.
14 One teaspoon of dried oregano.
15 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
16 Dash of black pepper, or add as much as you like.

Instructions

Step 01

In a big bowl, toss together the lettuce, onion, tomatoes, banana peppers, meats, and cheeses.

Step 02

Blend the mayo, vinegar, juice, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until it's creamy and smooth.

Step 03

Drizzle that dressing over the salad mix and toss everything well. Serve it right away.

Notes

  1. Tastes best right after adding the dressing.
  2. You can prepare the parts early but wait to toss with dressing until it’s time to serve.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big bowl for mixing.
  • A small bowl to make the dressing.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy products.
  • Eggs (found in mayo).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 450
  • Total Fat: 35 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8 g
  • Protein: 25 g