Simple and easy to make, this Italian grinder sandwich recipe is perfect for a party appetizer, an on-the-go snack, or even a quick meal.

A classic Italian grinder comes with all the fixings-lettuce, tomatoes, onions, Italian meats like pepperoni and salami, and provolone cheese, among others. For these sliders, we've chopped up all of those ingredients and mixed them with a creamy dressing so they fit perfectly into sliders.

Photos for this recipe are from Erin Hungsberg (IG: erin_hungsberg)

These are just like The viral chopped Italian sandwich recipe but in slider form instead of a hoagie roll! The great thing about this recipe is everything can be done on a cutting board so less mess and you get a bit of everything in each bite!

Why you need to make these Italian grinder sliders

Quick and easy to make: Loaded with all the classic Italian flavors, these mini Italian grinder sandwiches are ready in just 15 minutes! All you have to do is chop your favorite deli meats, cheese, and veggies, and mix everything together with a simple Italian dressing. Spread the mixture into some slider buns and you've got yourself a delicious snack. No cooking required too, so you're saving a lot of time!
Perfect for entertaining. Whether it's game day or just a casual get-together with friends, these mini slider sandwiches make the perfect party appetizer or snack. They are small, delicious, and filling-perfect for munching on while watching the game or catching up with friends. It's definitely something everyone will love!
Satisfying and healthy. These Italian sandwich sliders aren't as heavy as full-sized individual sandwiches.

Ingredients you need for these sliders

Kings Hawaiian Original sweet rolls or slider buns

Shredded lettuce

Pepperoni

Salami

Ham

Tomato

Provolone cheese

Banana peppers (or pepperoncini peppers)

Red onions

Mayonnaise

Olive oil

Red wine vinegar

Dried Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

How to make chopped Italian grinder sliders

A lot of good things come in small packages, and that's exactly the case with this easy Italian sliders recipe. The process is surprisingly easy, and you only use one large cutting board to prep the filling.

Start by slicing the red onions, tomatoes, and banana peppers and setting them aside in a small bowl. Next, shred some lettuce and create a solid base on the cutting board as a bed for the next ingredients.

Top it off with layers of deli meat such as pepperoni, salami, and ham, followed by some provolone cheese, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and banana peppers.

Once everything is nicely layered, it's time to chop it all up into small pieces using a sharp knife. Best to use a back-and-forth motion while cutting to get the most even pieces.

When that's done, add a good amount of mayonnaise, a drizzle of olive oil, some red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the chopped ingredients and mix them all together.

This is optional, but you can heat up your oven to toast some slider buns. You can also continue chopping to make sure the dressing is evenly distributed, and it makes handling the mixture a lot easier too!

Finally, it's time to assemble the sliders. Place a heaping scoop of the chopped mixture on the bottom half of the sweet rolls.

I love serving these cold, but if you want to enjoy them warm, you can heat the sliders in the oven. Either way, it's delicious!

If you're into sliders but you're craving some beefy goodness, try our other slider recipes like French dip sliders with au jus and Smoked beef short rib sliders.

Variations

Spicy: For a kick of heat, use spicy cold cuts or put a little bit of red pepper flakes to your slider mixture.
Cheese lover: Unsatisfied with just one type of cheese? Throw in more melty cheese like cheddar, gruyère, pepper jack, and mozzarella cheese.
Different meats: Go fancy with a variety of meats such as turkey, prosciutto, mortadella, or capicola.
Pre-made dressing: Take the hassle out of making your own dressing by buying store-bought creamy Italian dressing.
Herbs: Add tons of freshness with some freshly chopped basil, oregano, rosemary, or thyme.

How to store these sliders

Keep these Italian mini sandwiches moist and flavorful by storing them in an airtight container and popping them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

You can place a piece of paper towel at the bottom of the container to help absorb any excess moisture that may build up. The mixture can make the sliders a bit soggy if stored for too long, so make sure to consume them as soon as possible.

FAQs

What can I use instead of Hawaiian rolls?

Hawaiian rolls are a popular choice for sliders, but if you can't find them in the grocery store or you want to switch things up, try using dinner rolls or brioche buns as the base. If you're feeling adventurous, you can also try making your dinner rolls from scratch!

Why is an Italian sandwich called a grinder?

While there's no one definitive answer, the most commonly accepted explanation is that because these sandwiches are often so large and hearty, it was said to take a lot of "grinding" or chewing for one to eat it.

Can I serve these Italian grinder sliders hot or warm?

Absolutely! While the traditional grinder sandwich is typically served cold, these sliders can be heated up if you'd like. Simply preheat the oven to 350˚F and place the sliders on a baking dish. I don't recommend baking too long-a couple of minutes should do the trick.

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