Description
This Grinder Salad sandwich is a viral TikTok recipe featuring a creamy iceberg lettuce and banana pepper salad, marinated tomatoes, melted cheese, and plant-based chicken schnitzel, all layered inside a rustic Italian bread roll. Ready in just 10 minutes, it's a flavorful and satisfying vegetarian meal that combines crunchy textures and bold flavors with a simple olive oil and mayo-based dressing.
Ingredients
Dressing and Salad
- ⅙ iceberg lettuce, sliced thinly
- 2-3 banana peppers (pepperoncini), sliced
- 2 tbsp whole egg mayonnaise (or vegan mayo)
- ¼ tsp oregano
- 1 garlic clove, minced or grated
- Red pepper flakes, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sandwich
- 1 large thick bread roll (rustic Italian bread roll recommended)
- 2 slices cheese of choice
- ¼ cup marinated red peppers
- 1 tomato, sliced
- Plant-based chicken schnitzel, veggie patty, or protein of choice
- 15 grams grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Cook the Protein: Cook the plant-based chicken schnitzel, veggie patty, or your chosen protein according to package instructions or recipe until fully cooked and heated through.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, oregano, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to create a creamy dressing. Add the sliced iceberg lettuce and banana peppers, then toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated and creamy.
- Marinate the Tomatoes: Add the sliced tomatoes to a small bowl, drizzle with 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Let them marinate while you prepare the other components.
- Prepare the Bread: Slice the large bread roll in half horizontally. If the bread is very thick inside, tear out some of the soft interior to make room for fillings. Place a slice of cheese on each half of the bread. Then, put the bread halves under the oven broiler or on a grill for a few minutes, just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Assemble the Sandwich: Begin layering the sandwich by spreading the marinated red peppers on the melted cheese-covered bread, then add the cooked plant-based chicken schnitzel or chosen protein. Top with the creamy iceberg and banana pepper salad, sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the salad, then add the marinated tomato slices on top. Place the other half of the bread on top, slice the sandwich in half if desired, and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute the plant-based chicken schnitzel with any protein of your choice, such as grilled chicken or a veggie patty.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Using vegan mayonnaise makes this recipe suitable for a vegan diet if vegan cheese is also used.
- Fresh rustic Italian bread or a similar thick crusty roll works best to hold all the fillings without becoming soggy.
- To save time, you can marinate the tomatoes while cooking the protein and melting the cheese on the bread.
