Viral TikTok Recipe: The Grinder Salad Sandwich

If you’ve spent any time on TikTok lately, you’ve likely seen the Grinder Salad Sandwich take over food lover’s feeds. This viral sensation isn’t just a regular sandwich; it’s a deli-style masterpiece with layers of flavor, from hearty deli meats to a tangy, creamy grinder salad that takes it to the next level. Whether you’re looking for an upgrade to your lunch or want to impress your friends with a delicious, crowd-pleasing sandwich, this recipe will not disappoint.

Let’s dive into what makes this sandwich so special and how you can easily recreate it at home.

@_lacebakes_

The Ultimate Grinder Sandwich 🥪 Resharing this grinder sandwich that went viral last year because how good would this be served up at a Superbowl party? ▫️large sandwich roll or ciabatta roll, sliced and scooped. Sandwich roll recipe can be found on my grid (posted in Nov) but I will post again! ▫️2 Tablespoons garlic butter (I melt together 1 Tbsp salted butter, Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 4 cloves crushed garlic, 1/2 Tbsp flat leaf parsley) ▫️3 slices provolone cheese ▫️Handful low-moisture mozzarella cheese ▫️Freshly grated Parmesan cheese ▫️Your choice of deli meats, here I used: Salami, spicy salami, smoked ham. Fill generously. For the dressing: 1.5 Tbsp mayonnaise 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard Salt, to taste Freshly cracked pepper, to taste 1 Tbsp flat leaf parsley, chopped Small handful pepperoncini or banana peppers, chopped 2 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded Sliced tomato For the pink pickled onions: Simmer together 3/4 cup white wine vinegar, 2 tbsp sugar, 1.5 tsp salt, 2 tbsp water until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Place 2 thinly sliced red onions and 12 black peppercorns into a large glass jar and pour hot pickling liquid over. Top up with boiling water if needed so onions are completely submerged. Wait 30 minutes before using and then let cool completely and store in fridge for up to two weeks. To make: ▫️make the pink pickled onions first ▫️ Brush bread with garlic butter, add on cheeses and meats and bake at 200C for 8-12 minutes until the cheese has melted and the bread is getting crispy ▫️ while baking, make the dressing and toss with the shredded lettuce. ▫️add the salad, tomatoes and pink pickled onions to the baked sandwich and enjoy! #grindersandwich #delisandwich #sandwichtok #superbowlrecipes #asmrfood #foodporn

♬ Beautiful Things – Benson Boone

What You’ll Need for the Grinder Salad Sandwich

To build the perfect Grinder Salad Sandwich, here’s a list of the key ingredients you’ll need:

For the Salad:

• Mayonnaise – The base of the creamy salad dressing.
• Red wine vinegar – Adds the perfect tangy kick.
• Minced garlic – For that rich, savory flavor.
• Fresh cracked black pepper, dried oregano, red chili flakes, and kosher salt – A blend of spices to give the salad a savory, slightly spicy kick.
• Pepperoncini – Sliced and added for a bit of heat and crunch.
• Red onion – Adds a sharp bite to balance the creaminess.
• Iceberg lettuce – The main green in the salad, shredded for a light, crisp texture.

For the Sandwich:

• Sub roll – Your favorite soft yet sturdy bread for holding all the ingredients.
• Provolone cheese – Melty goodness that pairs perfectly with deli meats.
• Ham – The base layer of your deli meat stack.
• Soppressata salami – For a rich, savory flavor.
• Pepperoni – Adds a bold, spicy layer to the sandwich.
• Tomatoes – Sliced, seasoned, and drizzled with olive oil for a fresh, juicy bite.
• Olive oil – To drizzle on the tomatoes.
• Parmesan cheese – Freshly grated for a final salty touch.

How to Make the Grinder Salad Sandwich

Step 1: Prepare the Grinder Salad

Start by making the grinder salad that gives this sandwich its viral appeal. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, black pepper, oregano, red chili flakes, and kosher salt. This creates the creamy, tangy base for the salad.

Next, add sliced pepperoncini and red onion to the bowl, mixing until everything is well-coated in the dressing. Finally, toss in the shredded iceberg lettuce and mix it all together using tongs or a fork. Set the salad aside to let the flavors mingle.

Step 2: Toast the Bread and Melt the Cheese

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice your sub rolls in half and remove most of the inside of the bread, leaving about ½ inch of thickness to hold the sandwich ingredients.

Place half of the provolone cheese slices on each side of the sub roll and pop the bread in the oven for about 4-5 minutes, just until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly toasted.

Step 3: Layer the Deli Meats

Once the cheese has melted, it’s time to layer on the deli meats. Start by adding the ham to one side of the sub and soppressata salami to the other. Then, add the pepperoni on top of the soppressata. Place the sandwich back into the oven for another 5 minutes to warm up the meats and toast the bread further.

Step 4: Add Parmesan and Tomatoes

After removing the sandwich from the oven, sprinkle ¼ of the grated Parmesan cheese on top of the meats. Then, layer on the sliced tomatoes. Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Finish with the Grinder Salad

Now for the star of the show! Pile the prepared grinder salad on top of the deli meats and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over it. Gently press the top half of the sub roll over the sandwich, pressing down slightly to compact all the delicious ingredients together.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Cut the sandwich into slices and serve with extra grinder salad on the side for the ultimate deli experience. Enjoy every bite of this creamy, crunchy, and flavor-packed sandwich!

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Why You’ll Love This Grinder Salad Sandwich

1. Bursting with Flavor: From the rich, tangy grinder salad to the savory deli meats and melted cheese, this sandwich has layers of flavor in every bite.
2. Perfect Balance of Textures: The crunch of the lettuce and pepperoncini, the softness of the bread, and the creaminess of the dressing come together for a satisfying texture experience.
3. Easy to Customize: You can swap out deli meats, adjust the spice level, or use different cheeses to make it your own.
4. Restaurant-Quality at Home: This sandwich feels like something you’d order at a deli, but it’s easy enough to make in your kitchen.

Tips for the Perfect Grinder Salad Sandwich

• Don’t skimp on the pepperoncini. These add a crucial tangy and spicy bite to the sandwich.
• Toast the bread just right. You want the bread to be soft enough to bite into but crispy enough to hold the fillings without getting soggy.
• Make extra grinder salad. This salad is so good, you’ll want more to enjoy on the side or save for another meal.

References:

• Viral TikTok Recipe Grinder Salad Sandwich
• https://www.thecountrycook.net/tik-tok-grinder-salad-sandwich
• https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a39995290/grinder-salad-sandwich-tiktok-recipe