Spicy Italian Grinder Chopped Salad is for those days when a cold sandwich sounds fine, but a chopped salad just sounds better.
You still get turkey, ham, salami, pepperoni, provolone, banana peppers, pepperoncini, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and that creamy grinder-style dressing.
It’s got the deli counter vibe, but everything lands in a bowl with crisp romaine and garlic pita chips for scooping. If you want more crunch, keep the chips on the side.
Or, toss them in right before serving if you like everything mixed together. Either way, it’s your call.
This is a great lunch or a fast dinner. It works for meal prep too, especially if you’re after something with protein and a little bite.
If you want grinder sandwich flavor without building a full sub, this does the trick. Just grab your cutting board, a sharp knife, a large mixing bowl, and a baking sheet.
Why You’ll Love This Spicy Italian Grinder Chopped Salad
It Has Grinder Sandwich Flavor
This salad uses turkey, ham, salami, turkey pepperoni, provolone, banana peppers, pepperoncini, and olives. It has the same bold deli-style taste, but in chopped salad form.
It Works for Lunch or Dinner
This salad is filling enough for a main meal. The deli meats, cheese, Greek yogurt dressing, and pita chips make it more than a side salad.
The Dressing Has a Little Heat
The dressing uses Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, banana pepper juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes. It’s creamy, tangy, and a little spicy.
The Pita Chips Add Crunch
Garlic pita chips give the salad more texture. Serve them on the side for scooping, or add them right before serving.
It’s a 28-Minute Recipe
This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, so it works for a fast lunch, dinner, or meal prep bowl.
Ingredient Substitutions
Turkey Breast
Use chopped cooked chicken breast or roast beef if you don’t have deli turkey.
Deli Ham
Use extra turkey, chicken, or roast beef in place of ham.
Hard Salami
Use Genoa salami, soppressata, or extra turkey pepperoni.
Turkey Pepperoni
Use regular pepperoni, chopped salami, or leave it out and add more turkey.
Provolone Cheese
Use mozzarella, part-skim mozzarella pearls, Swiss cheese, or reduced-fat cheddar.
Banana Peppers
Use extra pepperoncini peppers, mild pickled peppers, or chopped dill pickles for a different tangy bite.
Pepperoncini Peppers
Use banana peppers or mild pickled jalapeños if you want more heat.
Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
Use low-fat Greek yogurt or plain regular yogurt. The dressing may be thinner with regular yogurt.
Light Mayonnaise
Use regular mayonnaise or add a little more Greek yogurt.
Whole Wheat Pita Rounds
Use regular pita, pita chips, naan pieces, or baked tortilla chips.
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Spicy Italian 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
- 4 ounces deli turkey breast chopped
- 3 ounces deli ham chopped
- 2 ounces hard salami chopped
- 2 ounces turkey pepperoni chopped
- 3 ounces provolone cheese chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- ½ cup cucumbers diced
- ½ cup banana peppers chopped
- ⅓ cup pepperoncini peppers chopped
- ⅓ cup red onion finely diced
- ¼ cup sliced black olives
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
For the Spicy 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 crushed red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut the pita rounds into small triangles. Place the pita triangles on a baking sheet.
- Drizzle the pita triangles with olive oil. Sprinkle the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and salt over the pita triangles.
- Toss the pita triangles until lightly coated.
- Bake the pita triangles for 7 to 8 minutes, or until crisp and lightly browned.
- Remove the pita chips from the oven. Let the pita chips cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped romaine lettuce, turkey, ham, salami, turkey pepperoni, provolone cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, banana peppers, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, black olives, and parsley.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, banana pepper juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt.
- Using a wire whisk, mix until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss the salad until evenly coated.
- Serve with pita chips for scooping.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Adjust the heat – Use less crushed red pepper flakes for a mild salad, or add a little more if you want it spicier.Storing
Store the salad – Place leftover salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Store the pita chips – Place the pita chips in a separate airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Store the dressing – Place the dressing in a covered container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Meal prep – Store the salad, dressing, and pita chips separately. Add the dressing and chips right before serving.Nutrition
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