If you're looking for an easy and satisfying lunch, you can't go wrong with a grinder sandwich. This simple dish is made by stuffing a variety of meats, cheese, and vegetables into a loaf of bread, and it's perfect for those days when you don't have time to cook.
Enjoy this Grinder sandwich with our Panera Summer Corn Chowder, or Panera's Chicken Noodle Soup for a delicious meal.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Grinders are a popular sandwich choice, and for good reason. They can be filled with any variety of meats and vegetables, and they're perfect for taking on the go. This grinder sandwich recipe is perfect for those days when you want something a little more special than a regular old sandwich. All you need is some good bread, meat, cheese, and your favorite toppings.
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Ingredients
When it comes to ingredients to make a grinder sandwich, you have a multitude of options. You can improvise from the ingredient list we have, but start out with 3 types of cured meats, and two types of cheeses.
Add in slices of tomato, sliced onion, and pickles of your choice.
- Deli thin Smoked Ham
- Deli thin Turkey Breast
- Thin sliced Pepperoni
- Thin sliced Genoa Salami
- Deli thin Provolone cheese
- Deli thin Smoked Cheddar cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Lettuce
- Thin sliced onions
- Thin sliced tomatoes
- Thin sliced Dill or Bread & Butter pickle slices
- Italian Salad dressing
- Hoagie Rolls
- Italian Herbs
- Salt
- Pepper
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How to Make a Grinder Sandwich
Start with the bread. Look for thick sub sandwich type of rolls, the kind that is long enough to cut in half and serve two people. Alternatively, you can use a loaf of french bread. Cut it in half the length of the roll or loaf. Then cut in half. Toast or leave untoasted, your option.
Step 1. Prepare the Bread
Slather mayonnaise on one side of the hoagie, and mustard on the other. Spicy mustard is ideal.
On the mustard side layer the smoked ham, turkey breast, pepperoni, and salami.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Cheese it Up
After laying the meats, cheeses, and veggies on the sides of each hoagie, sprinkle salt, pepper, and Italian herbs on top of the open sandwiches. If desired, lightly sprinkle Italian salad dressing for a little more flavor zing.
Cut a slice of each cheese in half diagonally. Lay the pieces on the mayonnaise side of the hoagie.
Place slices of tomato and onion on top of the meats. Lay lettuce and slices of pickle on the other side.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Fold Sides Together and Serve
Last, fold up the two halves of each grinder sandwich and wrap up in parchment paper tightly. Using a sharp knife, slice each grinder into two halves. Serve with chips, soup, or salad.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
Grinder sandwiches go perfectly with soup of just about any kind! Try one with our copycat Panera Tomato Soup, Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup, or our Cuban Chicken Soup. Add a side of Cilantro Lime Coleslaw, and you have a deli-licious meal!
Substitutions
You can make all kinds of substitutions when making grinders. Most common would be switching the sliced pickles for Pepperoncinis. The next most common substitution is cheese, change it for your favorites. There are no set rules when making a grinder, just that you like the meat, cheeses, and trimmings you stack on the bread!
Storage
Wrap any leftovers in parchment paper, then again in aluminum foil. Refrigerate until ready to eat. Grinder travel well, so they are perfect for taking on hikes or trips.
Tips for Success
- Don't use too thick of slices of anything. Keep the meats thin, the cheeses thin, and the vegetables thin. This will allow your grinder to hold together better when eating it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anything with raw tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise does not freeze well.
Yes, start with three loaves of french bread. Cut the end off two loaves, and both ends off of one loaf. Slice them all down the length of the loaf. Put the loaf with no ends in the middle, and the two with ends on each side of that one in the middle. Dress the bread and make a yard long grinder!
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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📖 Recipe
Grinder Sandwich
Ingredients
- 6 slices Deli thin Smoked Ham
- 6 slices Deli thin Turkey Breast
- 8 slices Deli thin wide Pepperoni
- 8 slices Deli thin Genoa Salami
- 4 slices Deli thin Provolone
- 4 slices Deli thin Smoked Cheddar
- 4 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 4 tablespoon spicy mustard
- 2 leaves Lettuce
- 6 slices Onion sliced thin
- 6 slices Tomato sliced thin
- 4 Thin sliced Dill or Bread & Butter pickle slice
- 2 tablespoon Italian Salad dressing
- 2 10" - 12" Hoagie or Sub rolls or french bread
- 1 teaspoon Italian Herbs
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Cut the bread in half the length of the roll or loaf. Toast or leave untoasted, your option.2 10" - 12" Hoagie or Sub rolls
- Slather mayonnaise on one side of the hoagie, and mustard on the other.4 tablespoon spicy mustard, 4 tablespoon mayonnaise
- On the mustard side layer 6 slices each of smoked ham, turkey breast, and 4 slices each pepperoni, and salami.6 slices Deli thin Smoked Ham, 6 slices Deli thin Turkey Breast, 8 slices Deli thin wide Pepperoni, 8 slices Deli thin Genoa Salami
- Cut a slice of each cheese in half diagonally. Lay half of each type of cheese pieces of each on the mayonnaise side of the hoagie.4 slices Deli thin Provolone, 4 slices Deli thin Smoked Cheddar
- Place slices of tomato and onion on top of the meats. Lay lettuce and slices of pickle on the other side. Lay the pickle slice on top of the meats.6 slices Deli thin Smoked Ham, 2 leaves Lettuce, 6 slices Onion, 6 slices Tomato, 4 Thin sliced Dill or Bread & Butter pickle slice
- After laying the meats, cheeses, and veggies on the sides of each hoagie, sprinkle salt, pepper, and Italian herbs on top of the open sandwiches. If desired, lightly sprinkle Italian salad dressing for a little more flavor zing.2 tablespoon Italian Salad dressing, 1 teaspoon Italian Herbs, salt, pepper
Notes
- Don't use too thick of slices of anything. Keep the meats thin, the cheeses thin, and the vegetables thin. This will allow your grinder to hold together better when eating it.
Nutrition
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