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Italian grinder chopped salad with lettuce, meats, cheese, and dressing
Hannah Brooks

Italian Grinder Chopped Salad

Summary A chopped salad with all the fillings of an Italian grinder sandwich: salami, pepperoni, ham, provolone, tomatoes, and pepperoncini, tossed in a creamy Italian dressing. No cooking and ready in 20 minutes.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

For the dressing
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon pepperoncini brine from the jar
  • 2 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 small garlic clove finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons water only if needed to thin
For the salad
  • 1 medium head iceberg lettuce about 8 cups, finely chopped
  • 3 ounces sliced Genoa salami chopped
  • 3 ounces sliced pepperoni chopped
  • 3 ounces deli ham chopped
  • 4 ounces sliced provolone cheese chopped
  • 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes quartered
  • 1/3 cup red onion finely diced
  • 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini chopped

Equipment

  • Equipment
  • Large mixing bowl (5 quarts or larger)
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Small bowl
  • Whisk or fork

Method
 

  1. Make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, olive oil, red wine vinegar, pepperoncini brine, Parmesan, garlic, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until smooth. It should be pourable like thick ranch. If it is too thick, whisk in 1 to 2 teaspoons water. Refrigerate until needed.
  2. Chop the lettuce. Cut the iceberg in half through the core and cut out the core. Slice each half into thin strips, then cut the strips crosswise into pieces about 1/2 inch wide. Add to the large bowl.
  3. Chop the deli meats. Stack the salami, pepperoni, and ham slices in small piles. Cut into 1/2-inch strips, then cut crosswise into pieces 1/2 inch or smaller. Add to the bowl.
  4. Chop the provolone. Stack the provolone slices, cut into 1/4-inch strips, then cut crosswise into small dice. Add to the bowl.
  5. Prep the vegetables. Quarter the tomatoes, finely dice the red onion, and chop the pepperoncini. Blot the tomatoes and pepperoncini on a paper towel so they do not thin the dressing. Add all three to the bowl.
  6. Add the dressing. Pour in half of the dressing. Toss with tongs or two large spoons, lifting from the bottom of the bowl, for about 30 seconds until every piece looks glossy. Add more dressing 1 tablespoon at a time until the salad is coated but nothing pools at the bottom.
  7. Taste and serve. Taste and adjust with black pepper, red pepper flakes, or a splash of pepperoncini brine. Serve right away while the lettuce is crisp.

Notes

Salt: Taste before adding any. The deli meats, provolone, Parmesan, and pepperoncini brine are already salty.
Swaps: Romaine for iceberg, banana peppers for pepperoncini, capicola, turkey, or prosciutto for any meat, mozzarella or Swiss for provolone.
No-mayo dressing: Whisk 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon pepperoncini brine, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, and the garlic, oregano, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
Storage: Keep undressed salad parts in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Dressing keeps up to 5 days. Dress only what you plan to eat.
Gluten-free: Naturally gluten-free as written. Check deli meat and mayonnaise labels.
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