Viral TikTok Grinder Salad with Italian Antipasti Recipe
Introduction
This Viral TikTok Grinder Salad combines the bold flavors of Italian antipasti with a fresh, crunchy salad base. It’s a perfect make-ahead meal, packed with tangy banana peppers, salty olives, savory salami, and sharp provolone cheese, all tossed in a vibrant basil vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup basil vinaigrette
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ cup banana peppers (roughly chopped or left whole)
- ¼ cup green olives
- ¼ cup pepperoncini (roughly chopped or left whole)
- 15 oz canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- ¼ cup Italian salami (cut into bite-size pieces or strips)
- ¼ cup sharp provolone cheese (cut into bite-size pieces or strips)
- 4 oz crisp lettuce (roughly chopped)
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare the basil vinaigrette if you haven’t already made a batch.
- Step 2: In each mason jar, pour about ¼ cup of the basil vinaigrette. Sprinkle ½ tsp of dried oregano on top.
- Step 3: Add your ingredients in layers, starting with the non-absorbent veggies on the bottom: banana peppers, green olives, pepperoncini, and chickpeas. Divide these evenly between jars.
- Step 4: Layer the Italian salami and provolone cheese next.
- Step 5: Top each jar with the chopped lettuce. Seal the jars tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Step 6: When ready to eat, dump the contents of each jar into a large bowl. Toss thoroughly with tongs to combine all the flavors, then serve on plates immediately.
Tips & Variations
- Swap salami for a vegetarian option like marinated artichokes or grilled tofu for a meat-free version.
- Use a high-quality sharp provolone for the best flavor contrast.
- Feel free to add cherry tomatoes or cucumber slices for extra freshness.
- Prepare the vinaigrette in advance to let the flavors develop even more before assembling the salad.
Storage
Store the assembled salads in sealed mason jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the lettuce on top to avoid wilting. When ready to eat, toss the salad well after dumping it out to evenly distribute the dressing. This salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated and tossed again if needed before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this salad without mason jars?
Yes, you can assemble the salad in any airtight container. Mason jars are convenient for layering and portioning, but any container that seals well will work.
What if I don’t have basil vinaigrette?
You can substitute with any Italian-style dressing or make a simple vinaigrette using olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and fresh basil to maintain the flavor balance.
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Viral TikTok Grinder Salad with Italian Antipasti Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
The Viral TikTok Grinder Salad with Italian Antipasti is a flavorful, easy-to-make layered salad inspired by classic Italian deli ingredients. It combines tangy basil vinaigrette, a variety of pickled vegetables, savory salami, sharp provolone cheese, and crisp lettuce for a refreshing and satisfying meal perfect for quick lunches or meal prep.
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup basil vinaigrette
- ½ tsp dried oregano
Vegetables & Pickles
- ¼ cup banana peppers (roughly chopped or left whole)
- ¼ cup green olives
- ¼ cup pepperoncini (roughly chopped or left whole)
- 15 oz canned chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
- 4 oz crisp lettuce (roughly chopped)
Meats & Cheese
- ¼ cup Italian salami (cut into bite-size pieces or strips)
- ¼ cup sharp provolone cheese (cut into bite-size pieces or strips)
Instructions
- Make the salad dressing: Prepare a batch of basil vinaigrette if you do not have it ready. This dressing forms the flavorful base for the salad layers.
- Assemble the mason jar salad: Pour about ¼ cup of basil vinaigrette into each mason jar, then sprinkle ½ teaspoon of dried oregano over it. Layer the vegetables and antipasti starting with non-absorbent items at the bottom: banana peppers, green olives, pepperoncini, and drained chickpeas. Follow with Italian salami and sharp provolone cheese. Top with roughly chopped crisp lettuce. Seal each jar tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Toss, then serve: When ready to eat, dump the salad contents from the mason jar into a large bowl. Use tongs to thoroughly toss the salad, ensuring the dressing coats all the ingredients. Divide the salad evenly onto plates and serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp lettuce like romaine or iceberg for the best crunch.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 5 days, making it great for meal prep.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of pickled vegetables to suit your taste preferences.
- If you want a vegetarian version, omit the Italian salami and increase the chickpeas or add other protein sources.
- Best served chilled to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and freshness of the antipasti.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: TikTok Salad, Grinder Salad, Italian Antipasti Salad, Mason Jar Salad, Easy Lunch Recipe
