If you are tired of your regular lunch routine, this viral TikTok sandwich is the answer to your midday meal boredom. Whether you call it a hoagie or a grinder, it’s a meaty, satisfying way to make a sandwich shop quality sub at home. This sandwich went viral on TikTok a while back and we’re still loving the bold, intense flavor combo. It reminds me of the many grinders I enjoyed while living in New Jersey. A grinder typically refers to a sandwich with hot fillings, while a sub is more of a sandwich with cold fillings, at least in my mind. I personally don’t think we need hard and fast rules about the nomenclature of sandwiches as long as they taste delicious, but some folks have strong feelings about it. The real secret to this viral TikTok grinder might be the 6 different kinds of meat used in it – turkey, ham, prosciutto, sopressata salami, capocollo, and pepperoni – or it could also be the dressed salad filling that goes into the grinder on a long Italian roll. Either way the combo is unbelievably fantastic. Rather than piling lettuce and adding mayo and mustard, you whisk up a quick dressing with red wine vinegar, garlic, and spices, then toss it with thinly chopped crispy iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced red onions, and chopped sharp pepperoncinis before piling it on with the toasted cheese and meat so there is a tangy bite in every mouthful. If you enjoying trying viral TikTok recipes, some of our other favorites are TikTok Cinnamon Rolls, TikTok Baked Feta Pasta, and TikTok Beet Pasta.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Meat – This part of the “recipe” is sort of a free for all with your favorite lunch meats. A base of turkey or ham provides some healthy lean protein, but then you add slices of a variety of cured Italian meats like your favorite salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, or capacolla (aka gabagool) until you have as much meat as you like. Cheese – I like a combination of sliced muenster and provolone, but havarti or colby jack would also be good on this sandwich. Bread – The original TikTok sandwich was made on sliced focaccia bread, but I’m partially to a crusty Italian loaf instead. Iceberg Lettuce – Thinly sliced fresh, crisp iceberg lettuce is the perfect choice for the grinder salad. I don’t recommend using romaine. Red Onion – This also needs to be very thinly sliced. You might even want to use a mandolin, if you have one. Red Tomatoes – Nice thick slices of sweet, juicy tomatoes add a nice contrast to the rich meats and the sharp and tangy salad. Parmesan Cheese – Use freshly grated parmesan cheese, not the powdered or pre-grated kind for best results. Sliced Pepperoncini Peppers – Look for the sliced golden Greek pepperoncini peppers by Mezzetta that are medium heat. Mayo, Olive Oil, and Red Wine Vinegar – These are the basis for the creamy, tangy dressing for the salad part of this sandwich. Use real mayo and a good tasting olive oil. Garlic – I highly recommend grating or finely mincing fresh garlic rather than using the jarred garlic, which has a much more muted flavor. Salt & Pepper – For seasoning to keep things from being bland. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes – Adds a little heat. Feel free to add more if you like things spicier. Dried Oregano – For that classic Italian flavor. You could use fresh oregano if you have it on hand, but dried oregano works just fine.
How to Make This Recipe
Tips for Success
You might want to hold these sandwiches together with toothpicks. They are substantial and stuff is going to fall out regardless. So having a fork or maybe some chips to scoop up and eat every last morsel of that delicious salad is a good idea. Buy a cured Italian meats variety pack instead of buying each type of cured meat individually. It’s usually so much cheaper and convenient to buy an assorted pack of cured meat rather than each individual cut, even if it isn’t exactly the same cuts used in the original version of this sandwich. You can find prepacked assorted meats for charcuterie boards in the deli section of the grocery store that work well and are more economical. Use a sturdy bread that holds up to the fillings. A soft hoagie roll will simply fall apart under the load of meat, cheese, and filling contained in one of these grinders. A sturdier Italian loaf, ciabatta bread, or focaccia bread is a better choice both in terms of flavor and sturdiness.
What to Serve With Grinder Sandwiches
Potato chips are classic Dill pickle spears Potato salad Macaroni salad Sliced fresh fruit like watermelon
More Sandwich Recipes
Easy BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwiches Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches Blue Bayou Monte Cristo Sandwiches Grilled Cajun Chicken Sandwiches
Turkey Bacon Avocado Sandwich with Kneaders Sauce
Cubanos (Cuban Sandwich Recipe)
Fried Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich
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