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Learn to make the viral grinder sandwich recipe! These Tik Tok sandwiches are Italian grinder sandwiches, made with crusty bread and packed with deli meat, cheese, and a delicious grinder sandwich salad. Whether you call this grinder recipe a sub, submarine, hoagie, or hero, you’ll love this easy weeknight meal idea. This grinder sub is essentially a sandwich and salad in one, and it’s oh-so-good.
🥪 What is a Grinder Sandwich?
What makes a sandwich a grinder? A grinder sandwich consists of a long roll that is sliced down the middle and filled with various meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments. You can enjoy this Italian American creation cold, or as a hot submarine sandwich.
Grinders sandwiches originated in the northeast part of the United States. Grinders are also called hero, sub, hoagie, or torpedo, depending on region.
➕ Grinder Sandwich Recipe
This grinder salad sandwich is based on the viral TikTok grinder sandwich. I’ve simplified the recipe so you can get all the ingredients in a regular grocery store in the United States. There’s no need to hunt specialty stores for prosciutto or capicola, though you can add them to your Italian grinder sandwich if you wish.
Get a printable recipe card for this grinder sub sandwich at the bottom of the article, or keep reading for details.
🥖 Grinder Sandwich Ingredients
Here are the Italian grinder sandwich ingredients you need (makes 4 grinder salad sub sandwiches):
- Grinder bread (use nice Italian bread sub rolls from the store bakery, focaccia, or loaves of bread of your choosing)
- 12 slices provolone cheese (can substitute with cheddar, Swiss, mozzarella, or your favorite cheese for grinders)
- 2 ounces sliced turkey
- 2 ounces sliced deli ham
- 16 slices pepperoni
- 2 ounces salami
- Grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 thinly sliced tomatoes
- Grinder salad (details in next section)
If you use a thick bread, you can scoop it out so you have more room for the grinder filling. I didn’t feel the need to do this.
Some stores, such as Walmart, sell 2 oz packages of deli meats. This makes it easy to make sandwiches with a variety of meats, without having to buy lots of everything.
For kitchen equipment, you need a large cookie sheet, a good knife, and an oven for this one. That’s it!
🥗 Grinder Salad
The best grinder sandwich wouldn’t be truly complete without the delicious grinder salad. Here’s what you need to make grinder salad:
- About 1/3 head iceberg lettuce (6.5 oz)
- 2 tablespoons red onion (very thinly sliced)
- 2 sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons grated Parm
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano (can substitute Italian seasoning)
- Black pepper and red pepper flakes (optional)
Slice the iceberg lettuce into shreds, and slice the red onion very thin. (Refer to the photos to get the right thickness- it’s important!) Slice the pepperoncini and mince the garlic.
Gently toss all of the grinder salad ingredients together in a large bowl until combined. It’s so delish! You may want to double this recipe so you can have extra on the side.
😋 How to Make a Grinder Sandwich
Here are the step-by-step instructions for how to assemble the grinder sandwiches:
Slice 4 sub rolls in half lengthwise. Place them cut side up on a cookie sheet, and arrange 12 slices of Provolone cheese on top. Broil the bread on high for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.
Divide the deli turkey evenly over one side of the sandwiches, and the deli ham on the other side. Fold the deli slices so they’re “fluffed up” (not flat) to make a deli-style sandwich. Evenly divide the salami and pepperoni on the turkey side of the grinders. Broil again for 1-2 minutes.
Sprinkle grated Parm on both sides of the grinders. Add thin slices of tomato to the ham side, and top generously with grinder salad.
Put the top half and bottom halves of the sandwiches together, and serve with chips or fries. Enjoy the great taste!
Grinder sandwiches are best eaten right away. Though you can wrap leftovers in plastic wrap and refrigerate, they will get soggy if made too far ahead.
FAQs
What is the difference between a grinder and a sub sandwich?
“Grinder” and “sub sandwich” are often interchangeable terms, but some argue that there is a difference between the two. A grinder is typically made with a long, cylindrical roll that is crustier than a sub sandwich roll. The fillings are often warm and may include hot meats, melted cheese, and vegetables. A sub sandwich, on the other hand, often has a softer roll and may be cold or hot.
Where can I get a grinder sandwich?
You can find grinder sandwiches in the New England region of the United States, particularly in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. However, many delis and Subway sandwich shops across the country offer their own versions of the grinder sandwich.
Why is a grinder sandwich called a grinder?
The origin of the slang term “grinder” is unclear. Some believe that it comes from the sandwich’s ability to “grind” the teeth together while eating due to its size and density. Others believe that the term comes from the fact that the sandwich was originally sold to workers in factories and shipyards, where it was said to “grind” away hunger.
Where do they say grinder for sandwich?
We use the term “grinder” for a sandwich most commonly in New England. However, you may also hear the term in other parts of the US, particularly in areas with a large Italian-American population.
Are grinder sandwiches hot or cold?
Grinder sandwiches can be served either hot or cold, depending on the filling and the preference of the person making the sandwich.
What to serve with grinder sandwich?
What goes with an Italian grinder sandwich? Serve grinders subs with chips (crisps), air fryer frozen french fries, or these no cook refrigerator pickles.
👨🍳 Hot Grinder Sandwich Recipes
Want more submarine sandwich recipes? Try these for minimal prep time but big flavors:
- Turn Air Fryer Steak Umms into Philly cheesesteaks
- Salmon Cheesesteak
- Stuff Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers into hoagie rolls for a chopped grinder sandwich
You could also make a chicken grinder sandwich by substituting the deli meat in the recipe below with slices of leftover rotisserie chicken. With a bit of creativity, you can make grinder sandwich recipes to rival the best sub sandwiches of TikTok!
Watch How to Make It!
Grinder Sandwich Recipe (Tik Tok Sandwiches with Grinder Salad)
Ingredients
For the Grinder Salad:
- ⅓ head iceberg lettuce (6½ ounces or 184g)
- 2 tablespoons red onion
- 2 pepperoncini peppers
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (or red wine vinegar)
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- red pepper flakes (or black pepper, optional)
For the Grinder Sandwich:
- 4 pieces grinder bread (Italian bread sub rolls, foccacia, etc.)
- 12 slices provolone cheese
- 2 ounces sliced deli turkey (57g)
- 2 ounces sliced deli ham (57g)
- 2 ounces salami (57g)
- 16 slices pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 medium tomatoes (thinly sliced)
Instructions
To make Grinder Salad:
- Slice the iceberg lettuce into shreds, and slice the red onion very thin. (Refer to the photos to get the right thickness- it's important!) Slice the pepperoncini and mince the garlic.
- Gently stir all of the grinder salad ingredients together in a large bowl until combined.
To make Grinder Sandwiches:
- Slice 4 sub rolls in half lengthwise. Place them cut side up on a cookie sheet, and arrange 12 slices of Provolone cheese on top. Broil the bread on high for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Divide the deli turkey evenly over one side of the sandwiches, and the deli ham on the other side. Fold the deli slices so they’re “fluffed up” (not flat) to make a deli-style sandwich. Evenly divide the salami and pepperoni on the turkey side of the grinders. Broil again for 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle grated Parm on both sides of the grinders. Add thin slices of tomato to the ham side, and top generously with grinder salad.
- Put the top half and bottom halves of the sandwiches together, and enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 3 recipe (weight maintenance and active lifestyles). Are grinder sandwiches healthy? While some grinder sandwiches can be relatively healthy, others may be high in calories, unhealthy fats, refined carbohydrates, and sodium. It ultimately depends on the ingredients you use in the grinder. To make a grinder sandwich healthier, consider the following tips:- Choose whole grain bread: Opt for whole grain or whole wheat bread instead of white bread. Whole grains provide more fiber and nutrients.
- Include lean proteins: Select lean meats such as turkey, chicken breast, or roast beef instead of processed meats like salami or bologna. These lean protein options can be healthier choices.
- Load up on veggies: Include a generous portion of fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and peppers. Vegetables add fiber, vitamin C, and potassium to your sandwich.
- Limit high-fat ingredients: Be mindful of high-fat toppings such as mayonnaise, cheese, and dressings. Use them sparingly or opt for healthier alternatives like mustard, hummus, or avocado slices.
- Watch the portion size: Pay attention to the overall size of your grinder sandwich. Larger portions can contribute to excess calorie intake. Consider sharing or saving half of the sandwich for later.
- Homemade options: Making your own grinder sandwich allows you to have control over the ingredients and portion sizes. This way, you can make healthier choices and use fresh, quality ingredients.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂