Italian Grinder Sandwich

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An Italian Grinder Sandwich combines delicious Italian bread with a variety of meats, provolone cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing. Top this Italian hoagie with some shredded iceberg lettuce, tomato slices, and red onion. Our new favorite sandwich!

Try our Pressed Cuban Sandwiches or Beef Au Jus Sandwiches next!

Overhead view of some sliced Italian grinders, showing the insides.

Grinder Sandwiches

You don’t have to travel to New York to enjoy the best sub sandwich in the universe! The best part is that you can enjoy this Italian grinder recipe in the comfort of your own home. A hot sandwich that will definitely make you swoon, I promise!

TikTok Viral Grinder Sandwich

No, this is NOT the viral sandwich that happened in 2022. It’s a bit similar but doesn’t include the mayonnaise-based dressing. Instead, the dressing is my classic salad dressing that I use on the Best Italian Chopped Salad and other salads as well. It is EXCELLENT on this sandwich!

If you want to try the TikTok recipe, all you need to do is make a simple salad dressing with mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and Italian seasonings. It will be creamier than the one I use here.

Try our amazing Grinder Salad next! It combines similar ingredients sans bread and is topped with an amazing creamy grinder salad dressing.

Overhead view of a large loaf of Italian subs, some sliced.

What You’ll Need:

A long roll (about one pound or a little larger) – I made a homemade Italian Herb Bread for this recipe and it is worth the extra work! But if you aren’t a bread baker, use your favorite hoagie roll or French bread. I don’t recommend a crusty bread for this one as I think something softer works better.
Italian meats – I used a combo of salami, capocollo, mortadella, prosciutto, and ham. Use additional cold cuts if desired.
Cheese – Provolone cheese is the preferred cheese for an Italian grinder sandwich recipe. Swiss cheese would also be nice.
Condiments – Any combo of crunchy lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, banana peppers, pepperoncini peppers, and black olives.
Italian Dressing – While store-bought is ok, I love making my own dressings. It’s just a simple mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, sugar, and seasoning (oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper).

The ingredients for the Italian grinder sandwich.

How to make the best Italian Sub:

Step 1
Make dressing. Combine the salad dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake well. If you have fresh herbs, you might want to include some in this dressing.

I normally make a double batch of the dressing (pictured below) to add to salads or for an additional sub sandwich.

A jar of dressing, showing the layers before shaking.

Overhead view of a jar of Italian dressing with a spoon.

Step 2
Prepare bread. Slice the sub roll in half the long way so that it opens up. Place on a baking sheet prepared with parchment paper.

Step 3
Add dressing and cheese. Brush some of the dressing on each side of the bread. Then add the cheese slices on both sides as well.

The two sides of the bread with Italian dressing brushed on top.

The two sides of the loaf - with Italian dressing and sliced cheese.

Step 4
Bake. Place the sheet pan in a preheated 350-degree oven and bake until the cheese is melted, about 12-15 minutes.

Step 5
Add meats. Then add the Italian meats to the bottom half of the bread. You can place the pan back in the oven here to warm meats or not. Either way works well.

Step 6
Add toppings. Sprinkle the condiments on top of the baked deli meats. Add a sprinkle of Italian Seasoning, if desired.

The grinder - one half with cheese, one half with meats.

Overhead view of the sandwich - one half with melted cheese and the other stacked with all the meats and toppings.

Step 7
Add the top bun to the sandwich. Then combine the halves to form a giant sub sandwich!

P.S. This makes a really nice presentation for any event – game day, happy hour, fun with friends, etc!

Side view of a large Italian sub sandwich, with layers of Italian meats and cheese, with lettuce and tomato.

Step 8
Slice. Slice the hot submarine sandwich into about six thick slices.

Step 9
Serve. Serve this deli sandwich with potato chips of your choice and some extra creamy Italian dressing for good measure!

Side view of some sliced Italian sub sandwiches.

Recipe FAQs

Why do they call a sandwich a “grinder”?

It’s been said that the “grinder” name initially came from the tough Italian bread used to make the sandwich, which you would have to “grind” your teeth through.

What are other names for a grinder sandwich?

A grinder is also called a submarine sandwich, a sub, hoagie, hero, Italian, wedge, or a spuckie. It is a type of American cold or hot sandwich.

Is a grinder sandwich served hot?

A classic grinder sandwich can be served either hot or cold, depending on personal preferences.

A hand holding a wedge of the Italian grinder sandwich.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue