This Grinder Salad recipe is a fresh and delicious version of an Italian grinder sandwich, without sacrificing any of the flavor.
For another fresh and flavorful dish try our keto taco salad.
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Why You'll Love it
We've swapped out the bread to create a low carb, keto friendly meal loaded with healthy fats and protein.
We go BIG on flavor in this recipe. There's a touch of sweet, savory and complex flavor notes to satisfy every palate.
A fast weeknight dish that can customized with all your favorite toppings and can be easily doubled or tripled to share or bring to a gathering.
For another fresh dish with a punch of flavor, also try our Burrata Caprese. Or if you're looking for more keto-friendly recipes, check out this Keto Cauliflower Mac n' Cheese recipe.
Key Ingredients
Romaine Lettuce Hearts - Lettuce hearts gives this salad a beautiful crunch that is needed to pay homage to its Grinder name. You can also use another type of crunchy lettuce, such as a bag of shredded iceberg lettuce.
Genoa Salami - Genoa salami is bright, tangy, and slightly acidic. We love Salami and Capicola, but you can use other Italian meats.
Turkey Breast - Turkey is a great neutral protein, that allows the Genoa and Capicola to really shine. Use other cold cuts like roast beef if you prefer.
Provolone Cheese - Provolone is buttery and nutty and pairs great with the salami in this recipe. You can substitute with Swiss or cheddar cheese.
Enjoy Italian cuisine? Try our crispy chicken fritta and our reader favorite, marry me chicken.
Key Ingredients for dressing
Mayonnaise - As the creamy base in this dressing, mayo allows all of the other ingredients to shine.
Olive Oil - Extra virgin olive oil adds flavor to the dressing and helps to loosen it so it isn't too thick.
Red Wine Vinegar - Red Wine Vinegar brings a great tanginess.
Parmesan cheese - We love the nutty flavor of parmesan in this dressing. It also adds an element of saltiness to this dish.
Garlic - Can you really have an Italian-inspired dish without a bit of garlic? We add just a little bit. Fresh garlic is preferred over garlic powder.
If you have any questions about this recipe, please leave a comment below and I will get back to you.
If you prefer a dressing without mayo, you can always make our sugar free salad dressing recipe.
Don't skip dessert after this fresh salad! Try our keto cheesecake, keto lemon bars, and keto almond butter cookies.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: For the dressing, add all ingredients to a large mason jar and shake very well until combined. Place the lettuce onto a platter. Pour some of the dressing over the lettuce mixture and toss until combined.
Step 2: Next, prep the deli meats. Roll each piece then thinly slice it into strips until all of the meat is sliced. Pile it on the lettuce.
Step 3: Put the shredded provolone cheese on top of the deli meats. Use a serrated knife and thinly slice the cherry tomatoes and layer on the sides of the lettuce mixture, along with the olives.
Step 4: Add the banana peppers, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes over the deli meats and cheese as a garnish. Pour the remaining dressing over the salad. You can toss the entire salad or serve layered and enjoy!
For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.
For more dessert options, you might like these cherry pineapple popsicles or our lemon cake.
Best Tips
- When making the dressing, make sure you use a big enough jar so there is room to shake it thoroughly for it to emulsify.
- The fresher the ingredients the better the salad. Try to get veggies that are in season and crisp to ensure you have the best flavor possible.
For another meaty salad, try our keto broccoli salad.
FAQs
The term "grinder" actually has a few different origin stories. But it is most widely believed that the idea came from the thought that the sandwich is so big and hard to chew, it will "grind" down your teeth with every bite.
Regardless of its origin, the term "grinder" has become synonymous with a delicious and satisfying sub sandwich in the New England region, and now, a yummy salad.
This is the salad version of the TikTok Grinder Sandwich, which became a viral social media sensation in March of 2022. The viral Grinder Sandwich features layers of cold cuts, cheese, and vegetables stacked high on a Italian bread hoagie roll.
The Grinder Salad takes all the best elements of the viral grinder salad sandwich and transforms them into a fresh and vibrant salad the whole family will love.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container lined with a paper towel. Store the dressing in a separate container to avoid any soggy greens.
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📖 Recipe
Grinder Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 romaine lettuce hearts about 6 cups, chopped
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes quartered
- ½ cup banana pepper rings
- 2 oz sliced black olives drained
- 3 oz Genoa salami torn
- 3 oz Capicola torn
- 4 oz turkey breast torn
- 4 oz Provolone cheese shredded
For The Grinder Salad Dressing
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large mixing bowl.
- For the dressing, add all ingredients to a large mason jar and shake very well until combined. Store in the fridge for a few hours before serving, or serve immediately over your salad. Shake well before serving.
- Pour some of the grinder salad dressing over the lettuce mixture and toss until combined.
- Place the crunchy lettuce mixture onto a platter and set it aside.
- Next, prep the deli meats. Roll each piece then thinly slice it into strips until all of the meat is sliced. Pile it on the lettuce.
- Put the shredded provolone cheese on top of the deli meats.
- Use a serrated knife and thinly slice the cherry tomatoes and layer on the sides of the lettuce mixture, along with the banana peppers and olives.
- Add some extra salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes over the deli meats and cheese as a garnish.
- Pour the remaining delicious creamy dressing over the salad. You can toss the entire salad or serve layered and enjoy!
Notes
- When making the grinder salad dressing, make sure you use a big enough jar so there is room to shake it up to allow it to emulsify.
- To store the Grinder Salad, simply place in an airtight container lined with a paper towel and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Just be sure to keep the grinder salad dressing on the side until you're ready to eat to avoid any soggy greens.
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