Veggie Grinder Chopped Salad takes everything you’d want from a loaded grinder and skips the meat and heavy roll.
You still get plenty of crunch from chopped romaine, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, and banana peppers.
Black olives, green olives, and provolone add the salty bite that makes a grinder salad taste like the sandwich that inspired it.
The creamy Italian grinder dressing ties everything together with Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and banana pepper juice. It’s tangy, creamy, and light enough to coat the vegetables without drowning them.
Serve the salad with homemade garlic pita chips on the side. They add crunch and make the salad scoopable, which is much more fun than another basic bowl of lettuce.
This meatless main course also makes a solid healthy lunch, family dinner, or meal-prep option when you store the separate parts correctly.
A sharp knife and cutting board help with the finely chopped vegetables. You’ll also need a baking sheet for the pita chips and mixing bowls for the salad and dressing.
Why You’ll Love This Veggie Grinder Chopped Salad
Loaded with Vegetables
Romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, banana peppers, onion, and olives give the salad plenty of color, crunch, and variety.
Creamy Grinder Dressing
Greek yogurt and light mayonnaise make a creamy base, while red wine vinegar and banana pepper juice add the tangy grinder flavor.
Made for Scooping
The garlic pita chips stay on the side, so they remain crisp and can hold the finely chopped salad.
A Meatless Main Course
Provolone cheese, pita chips, and a mix of vegetables turn this chopped salad into a filling lunch or dinner without meat.
Ready in Under 30 Minutes
The full recipe takes about 28 minutes, making it suitable for healthy quick meals and busy weeknights.
Ingredient Substitutions
Whole Wheat Pita
Use regular pita rounds if you don’t have whole wheat pita. Naan can also be cut into pieces and toasted, though it will have a softer texture.
Romaine Lettuce
Replace the romaine with chopped iceberg lettuce for a crisp grinder-style base.
Bell Peppers
Use any combination of red, yellow, or orange bell peppers. Green bell pepper will have a sharper taste.
Banana Peppers
Pepperoncini can replace the banana peppers. Use some of the pepperoncini brine in place of the banana pepper juice.
Provolone Cheese
Mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or mild white cheddar can replace the provolone.
Greek Yogurt
Use plain regular yogurt or additional light mayonnaise. Regular yogurt will make the dressing slightly thinner.
Red Wine Vinegar
White wine vinegar can be used in the same amount.
Olives
Use only black olives or only green olives if you don’t have both.
Fresh Parsley
Replace the parsley with chopped fresh basil, or leave it out.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links where I make a small commission if you purchase anything after clicking a link. There is no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Veggie Grinder Chopped Salad
Recipes are written with one action per step for accessibility. Short lines. Fewer rereads. A calmer kitchen on mobile or desktop.
Ingredients
For the Garlic Pita Chips:
- 2 large whole wheat pita rounds
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Salad:
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- ¾ cup red bell pepper diced
- ¾ cup yellow bell pepper diced
- ½ cup banana peppers chopped
- ⅓ cup red onion finely diced
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup sliced green olives
- 2 ounces provolone cheese chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
For the Creamy Italian Grinder Dressing:
- ⅓ cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoon light mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon banana pepper juice
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasonings
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cut each pita round into triangles. Place the pita triangles on a large baking sheet.
- Drizzle the pita triangles with olive oil. Sprinkle the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt over the pita.
- Toss until the pita pieces are lightly coated.
- Bake for 7 to 8 minutes, or until crisp and lightly browned.
- Remove the pita chips from the oven. Allow the pita chips to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, banana peppers, red onion, black olives, green olives, provolone cheese, and parsley.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, banana pepper juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, black pepper, and salt.
- Using a wire whisk, mix the dressing until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss until the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Serve the pita chips on the side for scooping.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Chop everything small – Keep the vegetables and cheese in small pieces so the salad is easier to scoop with the pita chips. Dry the vegetables – Remove extra moisture from the lettuce and vegetables before assembling the salad. This keeps the dressing from becoming watery. Adjust the dressing consistency – If the dressing is too thick, whisk in a teaspoon of banana pepper juice or water. Keep the pita chips separate – Add the chips only when serving so they don’t absorb moisture from the salad.Storing and Reheating
Store the salad – Refrigerate the undressed salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Store the dressing – Keep the dressing in a separate covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir before serving. Store the pita chips – Keep cooled pita chips in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat the pita chips – Place the chips on a baking sheet and warm them at 325°F for 3 to 4 minutes if they lose their crisp texture.Nutrition
Shop My Kitchen Favorites
Find the kitchen tools, cooking essentials, and everyday products I use and recommend in my Amazon Storefront.
You May Also Like
