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Italian Grinder Salad Copycat

Italian Grinder Salad Copycat

Your New Favorite Weeknight Hero. This recipe brings the irresistible taste of your favorite hoagies right to your plate in a refreshing salad format, perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner. With its creamy dressing and generous portions of deli meats, it’s a satisfying meal that comes together in under 20 minutes.
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Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head iceberg lettuce finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 (8-ounce) package thinly sliced deli ham
  • 1 (8-ounce) package thinly sliced salami
  • 1 (8-ounce) package thinly sliced pepperoni
  • 1 (4-ounce) jar chopped pimentos drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup pepperoncini optional, sliced

Method
 

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, red wine vinegar, olive oil, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Continue whisking until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
    1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and freshly ground black pepper
  2. Wash and thoroughly dry the iceberg lettuce. Finely chop the lettuce and place it into a large salad bowl. Add the drained chopped pimentos and the sliced red onion to the bowl. If you're using pepperoncini, drain them and add the sliced pepperoncini now as well.
    1 head iceberg lettuce, 1 (4-ounce) jar chopped pimentos, 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1/4 cup pepperoncini
  3. Generously layer the thinly sliced deli ham, salami, and pepperoni over the chopped vegetables. You want a good amount of each meat to capture the essence of a classic grinder.
    1 (8-ounce) package thinly sliced deli ham, 1 (8-ounce) package thinly sliced salami, 1 (8-ounce) package thinly sliced pepperoni
  4. Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the salad ingredients.
    1/2 cup mayonnaise
  5. Gently toss all the ingredients together using tongs or large spoons, ensuring that the dressing coats all the components. Continue tossing until everything is well combined and the lettuce and meats are thoroughly coated.
  6. For the best flavor and texture, serve your Italian Grinder Salad Copycat immediately. You can enjoy it as is or serve it with crusty bread for dipping.

Notes

For optimal freshness, it's best to store any Italian Grinder Salad Copycat leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. However, be aware that the lettuce may lose some of its crispness over time due to the dressing. If you prefer to maintain the crispness of the lettuce, you can store the chopped vegetables and meats separately from the dressing and toss just before serving. Freezing is not recommended for this salad as the texture of the lettuce and deli meats can be significantly compromised upon thawing.