Noshing With the Nolands » Salads
By Tara Noland on September 10, 2025 | Updated August 26, 2025
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This Grinder Salad is everything that you love on an Italian submarine sandwich, but without the carbs of a large sub bun. It can be switched up to exactly how you love your sub!
Love a salad as a complete meal? Then here are more of our favorites! Try the Ultimate Tossed Salad , Best Chef Salad or our Copycat Wendy’s Apple Chicken Salad .
A Grinder Salad is all that you love in an Italian sub sandwich, such as shredded lettuce, meats, cheese, and tangy peppers, which are then tossed together with a creamy, homemade dressing. It is completely satisfying even without the carbs of a sandwich.
Why I Love This Salad
- So versatile, make it your own
- Everything to love without the carbs
- Easy to make
- Great for lunch or dinner
- Full of flavor
Helpful Items for This Recipe
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Extra Large Wood Cutting Board, Heavy Duty Chopping board, 17.6″ x 12″
Professional Kitchen Knives, 3PC Chef Knife Set Sharp Knives
What Makes This Grinder Salad Recipe Great
Ingredients
Salad
Iceberg lettuce – You can use another lettuce, but iceberg gives the salad a nice crunch, and it is what you typically see on a sub sandwich.
Red onion – Gives the salad a nice pungent bite. If you don’t like red onion, then use the onion of your choice.
Pepperoncini – I like the pickly, salty, briny spice from these peppers, not too hot, but gives a nice kick.
Grape tomatoes – Perfect, juicy little tomatoes work well in this salad, but you can use large ones diced also.
Sliced ham and sliced turkey – You can use the deli meats of your choice here; think of what you typically have on a sandwich when you make or order it.
Provolone and Parmesan cheese – This combination of cheeses gives the salad lots to love.
Salad Dressing
Light mayonnaise – Creamy and delicious, and what you normally see on a sub.
Red wine vinegar – This cuts the fattiness of the mayo with a lovely tang.
Pepperoncini juice – Don’t waste that juice from the pepperoncini; here is a perfect place to use it.
Granulated garlic – I like this garlic instead of powdered lately.
Italian seasoning – The perfect combination of herbs for this dressing.
Salt and pepper – Iconic, you can never go wrong with them.
How to Make a Grinder Salad
Next, in a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the light mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, pepperoncini juice, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and fresh ground pepper. Whisk well.
Recipe Pro Tips!
Make Ahead and Storage
This salad is not a great salad to make ahead and then dress and refrigerate, as the iceberg lettuce goes soggy.
But you can make the components ahead of time and store them in air-tight containers. You can prep the cheese and meats by dicing, grating the Parmesan, and dicing the onions and pepperoncini. You can also make the dressing ahead of time and refrigerate.
When ready to serve, combine all the ingredients, toss and serve.
LOVE A HEARTY SALAD AND WANT MORE?
We love a salad here and have them many nights a week. If you love a salad for a meal, then try some of these recipes on for size.
- Julia Child’s Salade Nicoise
- Mediterranean Steak Salad
- Easy Beef Taco Salad
- Fall Harvest Salad
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Reader Interactions
Let us know what you think!
We’d love to know what you and your family think! Make sure to leave a review below and follow us on your favorite social network!
- b says September 11, 2025 Loved this salad. Especially loved the pepperoncini in the dressing and salad. Reply Tara Noland says September 11, 2025 Great! Thank you! And thanks for taking the time to tell me!! Reply
- Valarie Foehlinger says September 10, 2025 This is one of my favorite recipes. I am sooo happy to have gotten your recipe because it serves 4. Most of the earlier recipes I have come across serves 8 to 10. I have to cut it down (not always fun). I can’t wait to make your version. Your dressing sounds wonderful. Thanks Val Reply Tara Noland says September 10, 2025 I am so happy you found it and I hope you really like it! Enjoy!! Reply
Grinder Salad Recipe
This easy Grinder Salad recipe is one not to miss. It makes an excellent lunch or dinner. It has all the ingredients that you love in an Italian submarine sandwich.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 4, 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce (finely chopped)
- 1/2 red onion (chopped)
- 1/3 cup pepperoncini (chopped)
- 1 cup grape tomatoes (halved)
- 1/4 lb sliced ham (diced)
- 1/4 lb sliced turkey (diced)
- 1/4 lb sliced provolone cheese (diced)
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp pepperoncini juice
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large salad bowl, add the chopped iceberg lettuce, red onions, pepperoncini, grape tomatoes, ham, turkey, provolone, and parmesan cheese.
- Next, in a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the lite mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, pepperoncini juice, granulated garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and fresh ground pepper. Whisk well.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss to coat the salad. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
- Calories: 354 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1572 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 69 mg
Keywords: cheese, meats, salad
