Grinder Salad is an exciting twist on the traditional Italian chopped salad and an ideal no-cook meal option that brings together the best of fresh vegetables and savory sandwich flavors. This salad captures the essence of Italian cuisine while offering endless customization potential.
Ingredients
Scale:
1 cup chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 cup diced cucumber
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup sliced bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/4 cup shredded carrots (optional for added color and crunch)
1 cup diced salami
1 cup diced ham
1/2 cup diced provolone cheese
1/2 cup diced pepperoni (for an extra kick)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (to enhance the dressing's flavor)
Fresh parsley for garnish
Croutons (optional)
Parmesan cheese shavings (for extra richness)
Chili flakes (for those who enjoy a bit of heat)
Instructions
Start by preparing all the fresh vegetables for the salad. Wash and chop the romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell peppers into bite-sized pieces. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
Add the diced salami, ham, and provolone cheese to the bowl with the vegetables, mixing them gently to combine.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create the Italian dressing for your salad.
Pour the Italian dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything together until the salad is well-coated.
Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to develop further.
Serve the Grinder Salad in individual bowls or on a large platter, garnished with fresh parsley and croutons if desired.
