Italian Grinder Salad (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Tangy Dressing
01 -
1/2 cup mayo
02 -
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
03 -
2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
04 -
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
05 -
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
06 -
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
07 -
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 -
1/4 cup grated parmesan
→ For the Main Salad
09 -
16 ounces iceberg lettuce, finely shredded (approximately 8 cups)
10 -
4 ounces deli ham
11 -
4 ounces sliced pepperoni
12 -
4 ounces Italian salami
13 -
4 ounces provolone cheese
14 -
1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
15 -
1 cup seasoned croutons
16 -
1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced into rings
17 -
1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
# Instructions:
01 -
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the mayo, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, sugar, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add in the grated parmesan and whisk everything together until you get a creamy, well-blended mixture. Place it in the refrigerator while you prep the rest.
02 -
Take your ham, pepperoni, and salami and cut them into thin ribbons about 1/4 inch wide. For the provolone, either slice it into thin strips or chop it into small bite-sized cubes, whichever you prefer.
03 -
Grab a large serving bowl and add your shredded iceberg lettuce as the base. Toss in all the sliced meats, chopped provolone, halved tomatoes, pepperoncini rings, diced red onion, and crunchy croutons. Give it a gentle mix to distribute everything evenly.
04 -
If you're eating right away, drizzle the dressing over the entire salad and toss thoroughly until every ingredient is nicely coated. If you're planning to serve it later, keep the dressing separate and add it just before bringing it to the table to keep everything crisp and fresh.
# Notes:
01 -
Cut everything into uniform bite-sized pieces so each forkful has a perfect blend of flavors. Since the lettuce is already shredded, keeping your meats, cheese, and veggies small ensures every bite is balanced.
02 -
This salad tastes best when served fresh. Once dressed, the ingredients will start to soften and lose their crunch if left sitting too long, so add that dressing right before serving for optimal texture.
03 -
Want to meal prep? Layer ingredients in mason jars starting with the dressing at the bottom, then tomatoes, followed by meats and cheese, and finishing with lettuce and croutons on top. When you're ready to eat, just shake it up and enjoy.