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This viral TikTok Grinder Sandwich is packed with meats, cheeses, and its signature creamy Grinder salad. Served on an Italian loaf with Calabrian chili paste, tomato, onion, and parmesan, it’s a flavor-packed obsession that never gets old.
A few years ago I came out with a sandwich series and it was VERY popular. I made everything from an amazing BLT to New York’s famous Chopped Cheese, a Tuna Melt and of course, this Grinder Sandwich.
What is a Grinder Sandwich
A New England-style hero, the grinder can be hot or coldโmine is hot. Itโs packed with meat, cheese, and a crispy, tangy, creamy salad, plus parmesan, tomato, and extra onion.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make a Grinder Sandwich
- Bread. I love a good hoagie loaf. I found mine at a local Italian deli.
- Meats of choice. I went with slices of salami, prosciutto, and spicy pepperoni.
- Cheeses. I love havarti and colby jack in this sandwich.
- Iceberg lettuce. This gives a nice crunch to the salad.
- Pepperoncinis. They give this sandwich a great hit of spice without being super spicy.
- Calabrian chili paste. Not a total requirement but gives the sandwich a great dimension!
For the rest of the ingredients, please see the recipe index below!
How to Make a Grinder Sandwich
- Make the Salad: Start by soaking the onions in water. This removes some of the bitterness from the onions. Mince up the garlic and pepperoncinis.
- Mix up the dressing: mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, oregano, crushed red pepper, minced garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Slice up the iceberg lettuce. And toss it in the dressing.
- Build the sandwich. Start with a sliced Italian sandwich loaf and add some Calabrian chili paste to both sides for a nice kick. Place in the oven until melty.
- Add the salad with the slices of tomato, more onion, and parmesan.
- Slice and serve!
Recipe Tip
- Making this ahead. You can assemble the sandwich and keep it in the fridge beforehand. Then just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve it. The salad, however, gets pretty soggy if it sits for too long. I say that’s best fresh.
- Can you make this without pork? Yes! Find salami made from beef. Skip the prosciutto and replace it with turkey.
Recipe FAQs
The Grinder sandwich name’s origins are unclearโsome say it refers to the chewing effort required, while others link it to Italian-American dockworkers called “grinders.” Either way, it’s a deliciously hefty sandwich.
Though recipes vary, every Grinder Sandwich includes mixed meats, Italian cheese, creamy Grinder salad, tomato, onion, and plenty of parmesan. Mine adds Calabrian chili paste for a spicy kick.
More Sandwich Recipes
Sandwiches
Tuna Melt
Sandwiches
BLT Sandwich
Sandwiches
Ultimate Veggie Sandwich
Breakfast
Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
If you tried this Grinder Sandwich Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ๐ star rating and let me know how it went in the ๐ comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Grinder Sandwich
Video
Ingredients
SALAD:
- 1/4 thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 head of iceberg lettuce
- 3 pepperoncinis, sliced
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
SANDWICH:
- Italian loaves, (or you could use hoagie loaves)
- Calabrian paste
- 2 slices Havarti cheese
- 2 slices Colby jack
- 3 slices salami
- 3 slices prosciutto
- 3 slices spicy pepperoni
- Fresh parmesan
- 1 tomato
- 1 white onion
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Freshly grated parmesan, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Add the red onion to a bowl, pour some cold water over it, and let it sit. This will take away some of the bitterness. Whisk the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, oregano, red pepper, and garlic cloves. Add in the lettuce, onion, and pepperoncini, and give it a taste. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
- Slice the bread in half and add Calabrian chili paste to both sides of the bread. Add the cheese to one of the halves. Add the meats to the other half. Transfer to the oven to bake for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the meat is warmed. Add the salad on top of the meat, along with a few slices of tomato, fresh onion, and parmesan cheese.
- Slice in half and enjoy. #grindersandwich
Notes
- You might be asking yourself if you can make this ahead. And I say yes and no. You can assemble the sandwich and keep it in the fridge before hand. Then just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve it. The salad, however, gets pretty soggy if it sits for too long. I say that’s best fresh.
- Can you make this without pork? Yes! Find salami made from beef. Skip the prosciutto and replace it with turkey.
- I love the grinder salad itself. And I have actually made the salad by itself, a piece of protein (like chicken) and served them together. Bliss! Does it take the sandwich out of the equation all together? Yes, but it’s still good.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The salad alone is amazing! We made for a party and it was a big hit.
This sandwich is lifechanging. SO GOOD!
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Made this sandwich one night when my husband was asking for Italian subs and it delivered! He was so impressed by the salad alone and it was super easy!
Do you take pictures yourself? They look really artistic
We loved these so much Saturday night, I didnโt have time for a photo, but weโre having them again! And itโs only Monday!!
Delicious
wow wonderful to hear!