This Grinder Sandwich is everything you want in a deli-style sandwich made right at home! Stacked with layers of Italian meats like salami, turkey, pepperoni, and mortadella, plus creamy provolone, fresh tomatoes, and a crunchy, tangy salad, it’s the kind of sandwich that feels fancy but is super simple to throw together. Every bite is packed with flavor and texture. It’s so good, you won’t even miss the trip to the deli.
This sandwich is perfect for lunch, dinner or game day, and the zesty salad with pepperoncini and Italian seasoning really takes it up a notch. Whether you’re making it for the family or just treating yourself, this sandwich is guaranteed to hit the spot!
While I often don't trust a viral recipe, this viral sandwich you've probably seen on social media is worth the hype.
If you are looking for more sandwich recipes, check out our: Italian BMT Sandwich, Bolognese Sandwich or Grilled Chicken Sandwich.
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Flavorful: Between the savory meats, creamy provolone and that zesty creamy salad with pepperoncini and red wine vinegar, every bite is loaded with bold and tasty flavors.
- Simple: It’s super easy to throw together! Just mix up the salad, layer everything on the bread and you’re good to go.
- Customizable: You can swap out the meats, pick a different cheese or add whatever toppings you love to make it your own.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need for the best sub sandwich:
- Shredded Lettuce: Use thinly sliced or shredded iceberg lettuce.
- Red onion: Thinly slicing the red onion is key for the texture of the salad. You can also use a shallot if you have that on hand.
- Pepperoncini peppers: Pepperoncinis give the perfect tang and a hint of spice to the salad.
- Italian seasoning: Use Italian seasoning mix, or make your own with basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
- Red wine vinegar: I don't recommend trying any substitutes for red wine vinegar, it gives the dressing the perfect balance!
- Olive oil: Use good quality extra virgin olive oil.
- Mayonnaise: You can substitute with plain greek yogurt or sour cream.
- Salt & pepper
- Hoagie rolls: You can also use good quality French bread.
- Tomato: Use any type of tomatoes you have on hand.
- Provolone: I always buy deli provolone, I think it tastes better! Swiss cheese is a good substitute.
- Salami: I recommend getting your cold cuts from an Italian deli.
- Turkey: Feel free to use any of your favorite meats. You can substitute roast beef or ham for turkey.
- Mortadella: I like to buy imported mortadella when I can find it.
- Pepperoni: You can substitute with spicy salami.
See recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Let's make this Italian grinder sandwich recipe together!
- Step 1: In a large bowl, mix the lettuce, onion and pepperoncini with Italian seasoning, red wine vinegar, olive oil, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Step 3: Layer provolone cheese, salami, turkey, mortadella, and pepperoni onto the bottom half of each hoagie roll.
- Step 4: Add tomato slices on top of the meats. Pile the lettuce mixture onto the sandwiches, covering the tomato slices.
Expert Tips and Tricks
Here are some expert tips to make this Italian sub:
- Prep the salad first: Mix the salad ingredients ahead of time and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together for a more flavorful topping.
- Choose fresh crusty bread: Use fresh, crusty hoagie rolls to hold up to the hearty filling and prevent sogginess. Toasting the bread lightly can add extra crunch.
- Layer strategically: Place the provolone and meats on the bottom of the bread to act as a barrier and prevent the bread from soaking up too much dressing from the salad.
- Serve with sides: Pair the sandwiches with potato chips, a pickle spear, potato salad, or a simple salad for a complete meal.
- Choose high quality ingredients: Opt for high-quality deli sliced cold cuts and cheese for the best flavor. Choosing the right bread is also key. You want a bread that's sturdy enough to hold up the heft of the sandwich but isn't too hard to bite into. Look for sturdy hoagie rolls at your local bakery.
Kitchen Equipment
Here is some kitchen equipment you will need for these grinder sandwiches. You can find all of these products on Amazon.
- Sharp knife: You'll want to use a sharp knife to cut the sandwich in half.
- Cutting board: I love this cutting board for a variety of recipes in my kitchen.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Here are some common recipe substitutions and variations for this hearty sandwich.
- Bread: Swap hoagie rolls with baguettes or other Italian bread like ciabatta or even a hearty sourdough. You could also use whole wheat or gluten-free options if needed.
- Meats: Replace any of the deli meats with ham, roast beef, chicken breast, or even prosciutto for a different flavor profile.
- Cheese: Try mozzarella, Swiss, sharp cheddar, or even pepper jack for a little spice instead of provolone.
- Lettuce: Substitute iceberg lettuce with another crunchy lettuce like romaine, arugula or mixed greens for a change in texture and flavor.
- Additions: Add extra toppings like pickles, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, shredded carrots, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for added crunch and flavor. Add jalapeños, hot giardiniera, spicy mustard, or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for more heat, or reduce the pepperoncini if you prefer it mild.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can definitely prep most of the ingredients ahead of time, like the salad and sliced meats, but it's best to assemble the sandwich right before serving to keep the bread from getting soggy. If you make it in advance, store the components separately and then layer them together when you're ready to eat for the freshest results.
Yes, you can easily make this sandwich vegetarian by omitting the deli meats and loading up with extra veggies like cucumber, roasted red peppers or avocado. You can also add more cheese or even spread some hummus on the bread for added flavor and creaminess.
If you don’t have pepperoncini peppers, you can substitute with banana peppers, which have a similar tangy and mild heat. For a spicier option, try using jalapeños or for a milder, sweeter touch, roasted red peppers can also work well in the salad.
Storage
Here are storage and reheating instructions for this submarine sandwich.
- Refrigerator Storage: To store leftovers, wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. For best results though, store the sandwich components (bread, meats and salad) separately and assemble when ready to eat to prevent the bread from getting soggy.
- Freezer Storage: Freezing is not recommended.
- Reheating Instructions: None
More Recipes to Try
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Grinder Sandwich:
Grinder Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
For the salad:
- ½ head lettuce thinly sliced
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- 4 pepperoncini peppers thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- Pinch of salt and pepper
For the sandwich:
- 4 hoagie rolls
- 1 tomato sliced
- ¼ lb sliced provolone
- ¼ lb sliced salami
- ¼ lb sliced turkey
- ¼ lb sliced mortadella
- ¼ lb sliced sliced pepperoni
Instructions
- Combine all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well.
- Slice hoagie rolls. Layer the provolone cheese and meats on the bottom of the bread, then top with the tomato slices.
- Top with salad mixture and fold over the hoagie roll.
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