Grinder Salad

This grinder salad is everything I love about a classic Italian deli sandwich but in salad form! It’s creamy, crunchy, and loaded with all the best flavors—perfect for using up leftover ham or whatever deli meats you’ve got on hand.


Grinder Salad recipe.
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Jump to: ℹ️ Overview | 🛒 Ingredients | 📷 How To Make | 📹 Watch The Video | 👩‍🍳 Recipe Tips | 🥗 Serving Suggestions | 📝 Full Recipe Card | 🍽 More Similar Recipes


If you love a good Italian-style sandwich, this grinder salad is right up your alley. Inspired by the viral grinder sandwich, it’s loaded with crunchy lettuce, juicy tomatoes, tangy spicy pepperoncini, and a mix of savory deli meats and cheeses—all tossed in a creamy, herby dressing.

The crispy pan-fried salami adds a nice little crunch that takes it to the next level. Each serving is about 470 calories with 26g of protein, 25 grams of carbs (fewer if not adding croutons, of course), and 7 grams of fibre (yes!) making it a satisfying yet balanced meal. Whether you’re using up leftover ham or making it vegetarian with chickpeas, this salad is packed with flavor and totally customizable.

👉 If you like this salad, you might also enjoy my BLT chicken salad, my ham salad, or egg salad with pickles and ham. Check out more summer salad ideas here.

👩‍🍳 Food Trivia: The Grinder sandwich went viral thanks to TikTok, where food lovers couldn’t get enough of its bold, zesty flavors and satisfying mix of textures. The sandwich typically features layers of deli meats (like salami, ham, and turkey), cheese, and a creamy, tangy dressing packed into a crispy hoagie roll. But what really made it famous was the dressing—a rich, creamy mix of mayo, vinegar, mustard, garlic, and seasonings, all tossed with shredded lettuce to create a slaw-like filling. It’s got that perfect balance of crunch, creaminess, and saltiness that makes it a crowd-pleaser. Once people started sharing their own versions and tweaks on social media, it took off as a must-try recipe for sandwich lovers everywhere.

Italian chop salad inspired by the grinder sandwich that viral on TikTok.
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What You’ll Need

Here is what you’ll need for this grinder salad recipe. Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

  • Greens: Iceberg or romaine lettuce for that signature crunch.
  • Veggies: Cherry tomatoes, red onion, and pepperoncini (swap for pickled banana peppers or golden greek peppers in Australia ) add tang and freshness.
  • Proteins: Salami (try pan-frying it for crunch!), ham, or swap with leftover chicken or chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
  • Cheeses: Provolone or cheddar (or any other semi-hard cheese), and Parmesan bring that creamy, salty goodness.
  • Croutons for extra texture (optional but highly recommended!).
Ingredients for the recipe including lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, salami, croutons, parmesan cheese, pepperoncini, ham, and semi-har cheese.
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  • For the dressing: Light mayo for creaminess and a little olive oil without being too heavy. Red wine vinegar and mustard add tang and depth. Garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to round out the flavors.

How To Make Grinder Salad

Find the full recipe and nutritional information below. Here are some handy step-by-step photos for how to make this delicious grinder salad.

  • Chop the lettuce, slice the tomatoes, onion, and pepperoncini.
Prepare ingredients for the salad.
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  • Whisk together mayo, vinegar, oil, garlic, mustard, and seasonings.
  • Pan-fry the salami to crisp it up in a pan for that extra crunch.
How to make grinder salad step-by-step.
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  • Toss everything in a large bowl with the dressing.
  • Divide into bowls and sprinkle with croutons for extra crunch.
Combine chopped ingredients
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Watch The Video

Export Tips

  • Add grilled chicken or a hard-boiled egg for extra protein. You can also switch up the meats: Turkey, roast beef, or even crispy bacon work great.
  • Swap the meats for chickpeas or marinated tofu for a vegetarian-friendly grinder salad.
  • A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a little kick.
  • Toss in cucumbers or shredded carrots for more texture.

How To Serve This Chopped Salad

This salad is perfect on its own, but you can pair it with a side of crusty bread or some soup for a more filling meal. It’s also great stuffed into a wrap or sandwich for an easy on-the-go option.

Chopped salad with lettuce, ham, salami, cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini and cheese.
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💬 If you’ve tried this Grinder salad or any other recipe on the blog then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube and or sign up to my Newsletter to see more of my delicious food.

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grinder salad with lettuce and pepperoncini
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Grinder Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Author: Irena Macri
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: American-Italian
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5 from 2 votes
Calories: 474kcal
Grinder salad is a crunchy, creamy, and protein-packed dish inspired by the viral Grinder sandwich—perfect for lunch or a light dinner. It’s got bold and zesty flavors in a fresh and crunchy salad that’s easy to throw together. Find step by step photos, video and helpful tips and tricks above.

Ingredients 

For the Salad

  • 6 cups iceberg or Romaine lettuce chopped, about 10 oz or 300 grams
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, about 5 oz or 150 grams
  • ½ small red onion thinly sliced, about 2 oz or 50 grams
  • ½ cup pepperoncini sliced, about 75 grams or 2.5 oz, see notes on this ingredient
  • 2 oz salami thinly sliced, about 60 grams, such as Hungarian or Fennel
  • 3-4 oz ham off the bone about 100 grams, sliced or chopped
  • ½ cup Provolone or Cheddar cheese about 2 oz or 55 grams, sliced into thin strips or shredded
  • cup Parmesan cheese grated, about 1 oz or 30 grams

For the Dressing

  • cup light mayonnaise about 80 ml
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar about 15 ml
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil about 15 ml
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced or grated
  • 1 teaspoon mustard such as yellow or mild English
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • cup salad croutons options

Instructions

  • Prepare the salad ingredients by chopping and slicing everything.
  • In a bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until smooth. Adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Pan-fry the salami for about 1-2 minutes until crispy, then pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Toss the lettuce, tomatoes, onion, and pepperoncini in a large bowl. Add the deli meats and cheeses.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat everything.
  • Serve immediately with croutons or toasted breadcrumbs for extra crunch.

Video

Notes

Storage tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate to avoid soggy lettuce. Not freezer-friendly.
Make-Ahead Tips: The dressing can be made 2-3 days in advance and stored in the fridge. Chop the veggies a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated in separate containers. If using crispy salami, fry it fresh for the best texture.
What’s the best substitute for pepperoncini? You can use pickled banana peppers or golden greek peppers in Australia, they add tang and freshness. Even sliced jalapeños work well if you want a little heat.
Add grilled chicken or a hard-boiled egg for extra protein. You can also switch up the meats: Turkey, roast beef, or even crispy bacon work great.
Swap the meats for chickpeas or marinated tofu for a vegetarian-friendly grinder salad.
Can I make this salad without mayo? Yes! Swap the mayo for Greek yogurt or a blend of olive oil and lemon juice for a lighter option.
Can I make this salad keto-friendly? Absolutely—just skip the croutons; you can also add avocado and cucumbers and use fewer tomatoes.

Nutrition

Calories: 474kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 59mg | Sodium: 1419mg | Potassium: 1075mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 2995IU | Vitamin C: 43mg | Calcium: 413mg | Iron: 4mg
Keywords: Italian salad, chopped salad, grinder sandwich, pepperoncini, leftover ham, Lettuce
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookedandloved or tag #cookedandloved
grinder salad with leftover ham and salami.
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Irena Macri
By Irena Macri

About the author:Hi, I’m Irena Macri. I share delicious recipes that I have cooked and loved. I am a published cookbook author, have been food blogging for over 10 years and have a Diploma in Nutrition. You will find many healthy recipes as well as my favourite comfort food. More about me here | Subscribe to my newsletter and freebies

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5 from 2 votes

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Comments

3 Comments
  1. 5 stars
    I tried the Grinder Salad, and it’s honestly so good! The mix of crisp lettuce, creamy dressing, and deli-style toppings makes it super satisfying. Perfect for sandwiches or just on its own!

  2. 5 stars
    This is a delicious grinder salad, I have made it for the first time, I have made few times.

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