Italian Grinder Sandwich (2024)

Piled high with meats, cheese, and a tangy, irresistible grinder salad, this Italian Grinder Sandwich Recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd. It’s quick and easy to make and always a lunch (or party) favorite.

Consider making these grinder sandwiches along with our antipasto squares and antipasto tortellini kabobs for your next get together.

Easy Italian Grinder Salad Subs

This recipe is the perfect combination of two things – a classic Italian sub and the TikTok viral grinder salad. These Italian Grinder Salad Subs are a fantastic blend of salty, savory, and tangy. The grinder salad really makes the whole sandwich pop!

Besides the addition of the grinder salad, this is the basic way to build an Italian sub for a crowd. We love to go all out with our party subs and use a lot of meat and different varieties. If you don’t want as much meat, then use half from the recipe. (But if you’re serving up a crowd, I recommend using all of it, even though it looks like a lot.)

As you can imagine this packs a flavor punch and is on the salty side which is to be expected with all the cured meats and cheeses. But, it is not overwhelming at all, the flavors blend very well together. The creamy-tanginess of the salad, combined with the crunchy lettuce just brings it all together.

What Is A Grinder Sandwich?

What is a grinder? And what’s the difference between a grinder and a sub? Here’s the lowdown on the grinder vs sub debate.

A grinder is simply a sub that is heated, even if the toppings aren’t ones that are traditionally heated. The term is said to have originated in New England where a grinder refers to sandwiches with hot ingredients, like sausage or meatballs, and a sub or hoagie refers to ones with cold ingredients. An Italian grinder, for example, is simply an Italian hoagie made with cured meats and cheese that is popped in the oven.

Of course, the terms are sometimes used interchangeably or together, as is the case for today’s grinder sub or grinder sandwich.

Ingredients Needed

Here’s what you’ll need for the grinder, the salad, and the assembly.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

For the Sub

• Italian bread – You’ll want a large, 16 ounce loaf of bread for your Italian grinder. You want something sturdy that can handle being piled high with meat and won’t get too soggy from the salad.
• Cheese – Provolone adds a nice, mild flavor and pairs well with the Italian meats.
• Meat – This sub is piled high with ham, Sopprasetta, Genoa salami, and pepperoni. I recommend getting all of the meat directly from the deli and asking for “thinly sliced”.

For the Grinder Salad

• Mayonnaise – The creamy base.
• Red wine vinegar – Thins the salad and adds a tang.
• Seasonings – Garlic, black pepper, oregano, red chili flakes, and salt are added to the grinder salad for flavor.
• Pepperoncini – Banana peppers will also work.
• Onion – Red onion is best, for the mild flavor. You can sub sweet onion if desired.
• Lettuce – Shredded iceberg adds a bit of crunch to the salad and sandwich.

Assembly

• Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese – Freshly grated!
• Tomato – A beef steak tomato is my go-to here.
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper

Recipe Variations & Substitutions

Feel free to switch out meats and cheeses to your liking. I do recommend thinly slicing the meat and layering it in a “fluffy” way, it is more enjoyable to eat that way instead of just layers of meat packed on each other.

• Cheese substitutions: Mozzarella, Swiss, Fontina, Muenster, Gruyere.
• Meat substitutions: Prosciutto, mortadella, capcolla, tavern ham.
• Bread substitutions: I love using a crusty large Italian bread topped with sesame seeds for an extra layer of flavor, again use whatever bread you like. Foccacia or plain Italian bread works too.
• Pepperoncini substitutions: The grinder salad is definitely the star of this sub. If you don’t like pepperoncini, you can sub with banana peppers or another pickled vegetable. This is what really gives a pop to the salad.

How to Make an Italian Grinder Sandwich

Your grinder sandwich can be ready to enjoy in just 30 minutes.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)

• Prepare the bread. Cut the bread in half and remove most of the inside of each side, leaving just 1/2 inch of bread. Add provolone to each side. Melt in the oven.
• Layer the meats. Add the ham to one half of the sub and the soppressata to the other side. Add the salami to the ham and top the soppressata with the pepperoni. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes.
• Make the grinder salad. Whisk together the mayo, vinegar, and seasonings. Add the pepperoncini and red onion. Stir to coat, then add the lettuce and toss with tongs.
• Assemble. Sprinkle the sub with the parmesan cheese. Add the tomato slices and drizzle with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add some of the grinder salad and top with parmesan.
• Serve. Add the top half over the bottom half and press down gently. Cut into wedges and serve with more grinder salad and chips on the side.

Serving Suggestions

Piled high with meat and topped with the salad, a grinder sandwich can make an easy and filling lunch on its own. Add some chips for a side and you’re good to go! Enjoy just after toasting in the oven for the best results! If you feel like adding a bit more, maybe some french fries, potato salad, or macaroni salad will do the trick.

How to Store Leftovers

Leftovers keep well in the fridge tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for 2 days. The lettuce will get
soggy but it is still good. You can eat the leftovers cold, still amazing. Do not freeze.

More Sandwich Recipes:

• Tuna Melt
• Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
• Grilled Cheese Sandwich
• Reuben Sandwich
• Muffuletta Sandwich
• Shrimp Po Boy

I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!