Description
A crunchy and tangy Italian-American chopped salad inspired by the classic grinder sandwich. This salad features crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce, sliced deli meats, provolone cheese, fresh vegetables, and a creamy, flavorful grinder dressing to create a perfect satisfying lunch or light main course.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups iceberg or romaine lettuce, finely chopped
- 100 g sliced turkey or ham
- 100 g sliced salami
- 75 g sliced provolone cheese, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini, sliced
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Grinder Dressing
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Add finely chopped lettuce to a large mixing bowl, ensuring an even layer that will hold the toppings well.
- Add deli meats and cheese: Layer sliced turkey or ham, salami, and chopped provolone cheese over the lettuce evenly.
- Add vegetables and seasoning: Incorporate halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, sliced pepperoncini, grated Parmesan, and chopped fresh parsley into the bowl to build flavor and texture.
- Mix dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, honey, grated Parmesan, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Toss salad with dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly so the lettuce and toppings are evenly coated with the creamy tangy dressing.
- Let flavors meld: Allow the salad to sit for 5 minutes at room temperature, giving time for the flavors to combine and develop fully.
- Serve: Present the salad immediately as a refreshing and hearty dish, perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
Notes
- For a lighter dressing, replace half the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt to reduce fat content while maintaining creaminess.
- Add sliced cucumber or roasted red peppers for extra vegetables and color variety.
- Serve the salad with toasted bread or use it as filling for a grinder wrap for a more substantial meal.
- If preparing the salad ahead of time, keep the dressing separate to prevent the lettuce from wilting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Main Course
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
