Ultimate Italian Grinder Salad

This Italian grinder salad is a delightful bread-free version of the viral TikTok sandwich that has been taking the internet by storm.

The original TikTok viral recipe is a sub-style sandwich made with layers of deli meat and cheese, topped with a chopped ‘grinder’ salad made from crunchy lettuce and dressed with a mayo-based dressing.

In this recipe, we have removed the bread to make a low-carb option of this delicious sandwich.

We have spruced up the salad dressing by using roasted garlic, which adds a deep caramelised flavor to the seasoned mayonnaise.

In the salad itself, we have added roasted red peppers and pepperoncini to add an extra bite to the flavors.

Why you will love this Italian Grinder Salad recipe…

Ultimate Italian Grinder Salad

This Italian grinder salad is a low-carb version of the viral TikTok recipe. It's packed with crunchy veggies that pair beautifully with the cheese and deli meats.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 369 kcal

Ingredients

  

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For the Dressing:

• ▢ ½ cup mayonnaise
• ▢ 2 cloves roasted garlic, mashed into a paste
• ▢ 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• ▢ 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• ▢ ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
• ▢ ½ tsp dried oregano
• ▢ ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ▢ Salt & black pepper, to taste

For the Salad:

• ▢ 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• ▢ 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce (for crunch)
• ▢ ½ cup sliced roasted red peppers
• ▢ ¼ cup sliced pepperoncini
• ▢ ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ▢ ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
• ▢ ½ cup provolone cheese, cut into matchsticks
• ▢ ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ▢ ½ cup mixed Italian deli meats (salami, ham, and pepperoni), cut into strips

Instructions

 

Ingredients

• 
• In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, mashed roasted garlic, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, crushed red pepper flakes, oregano, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
  
• 
• In a large bowl, combine shredded romaine, iceberg lettuce, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini, cherry tomatoes, red onion, provolone cheese, Parmesan, and sliced deli meats.
  
• Drizzle the garlicky, zesty dressing over the salad and toss well to coat everything evenly.
  
• Serve immediately with crispy garlic butter crostini on the side for that full Italian grinder experience.
  

Nutrition

Calories 369kcal (18%)Carbohydrates 9g (3%)Protein 12g (24%)Fat 32g (49%)Saturated Fat 9g (56%)Polyunsaturated Fat 13gMonounsaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0.1gCholesterol 40mg (13%)Sodium 1025mg (45%)Potassium 419mg (12%)Fiber 3g (13%)Sugar 3g (3%)Vitamin A 4902IU (98%)Vitamin C 24mg (29%)Calcium 237mg (24%)Iron 2mg (11%)

Keyword Italian Grinder Salad

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Serving Suggestions

This Italian grinder salad is a great low-carb alternative to the grinder sub sandwich that has gone so viral. It can be served as a side salad for various dishes or as a meal on its own in a more substantial portion.

For a more complete and comforting meal, pair it with Roasted Garlic Butter Bread Rolls — the soft, buttery texture and subtle garlic flavor make a perfect contrast to the salad’s crunchy, savory elements.

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