Italian Grinder Salad
A vibrant and hearty salad inspired by the classic Italian Grinder sandwich. This dish combines crisp romaine lettuce, savory deli meats, fresh vegetables, and a zesty vinaigrette dressing for a refreshing yet satisfying meal that's easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Cutting board
- Salad Tongs
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 1 cup romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup cucumbers diced
- ½ cup bell peppers diced
Meats & Cheese
- ½ cup salami sliced
- ½ cup ham sliced
- ¼ cup provolone cheese cubed
- ¼ cup black olives sliced
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: Wash and chop all fresh ingredients. Slice meats and cheese into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, and bell peppers. Toss to mix.
- Step 3: Add salami, ham, provolone cheese, and black olives evenly over the salad base.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Step 5: Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently until well coated.
- Step 6: Adjust seasoning and optionally add a squeeze of lemon juice or fresh herbs before serving.
- Step 7: Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For best results, keep dressing separate until ready to serve. Add grilled chicken for extra protein or swap meats for chickpeas to make it vegetarian.