Grinder Sliders

Alyssa Rivers · Apr 18, 2024

The classic grinder sandwich made into sliders to share! You’ve got Hawaiian rolls topped with layers of pepperoni, salami, turkey, provolone, and creamy grinder salad. And to top things off- each roll is brushed with a buttery parmesan glaze and baked to golden brown perfection.

Everyone loves sliders! And they’re easy to prepare, which makes them the perfect choice for potlucks. Here are a few more of my favorite recipes: buffalo chicken sliders, crack chicken sliders, and Cuban sliders! You’ll have to try them all!

Grinder sliders stacked on top of each other.

Italian Grinder Sliders

Just in time for the warmer temperatures, here’s the best dish to share! This recipe puts a fun spin on the classic grinder sub. It combines all the delicious elements of a grinder into bite-sized sliders! The recipe uses Hawaiian rolls for the base, which are soft and sweet, perfectly contrasting the savory fillings. Then meats like pepperoni, salami, and turkey are layered with melty provolone cheese.

To mimic the classic grinder salad, a zesty dressing is made with mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and pepperoncini peppers. (The BEST tangy flavor!) It’s then tossed with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. All of those tasty veggies get piled onto the grinder sliders for amazing flavor and texture in each bite. And let’s not forget the melted butter and parmesan glaze that gets brushed on top of the rolls… these sliders are seriously the best for sharing at parties or potlucks. So tasty, everyone will want the recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ve broken the ingredients up into 3 parts which can be seen below. The main components of the sandwich are the meat and cheese filling, the creamy grinder salad, and buttery glaze to go on top. You can find exact measurements for every ingredient in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Hawaiian Rolls: These soft and sweet rolls are the foundation of your sliders.
Sliced Pepperoni: For delicious savory flavor.
Sliced Salami: Adds a salty and meaty taste to the sliders. You can choose your favorite type of salami, like Genoa or peppered.
Deli Turkey (or Ham): This lean meat adds protein and a savory flavor to the sliders. Pick your favorite deli meat, or use both turkey and ham for a double dose of meaty goodness!
Sliced Provolone Cheese: Adds a creamy, mild flavor to the sliders and melts down perfectly.

The slider ingredients- meat, cheese, and Hawaiian rolls.

Butter Glaze

Butter: Melted so the glaze for the grinder sliders has a brushable consistency.
Garlic Salt: For a pop of savory flavor on top of each roll!
Grated Parmesan: Because everything is better with a little cheese sprinkled on top! Plus it gets all nice and melty and golden in the oven.

Grinder Salad

Veggies: You’ll need shredded iceberg lettuce, diced red onions, and chopped tomato and pepperoncini peppers.
Mayonnaise: Mayo is the base of the dressing, adding creaminess and helping bind all the ingredients together.
Red Wine Vinegar: So the dressing has a touch of acidity and brightness. It helps make things not so rich and heavy on the grinder sliders.
Minced Garlic: Adds a punch of savory flavor.
Pepperoncini Pepper Liquid: The liquid from the jar of pepperoncini adds a tangy and spicy kick to the dressing. It’s so good! Don’t skip it!
Italian Seasoning: My favorite blend of herbs to add extra flavor!
Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings, add to taste!
Grated Parmesan: So the salad has some cheesy goodness added to it.

How to Make Grinder Sliders

It looks like a lot, but it’s actually really easy. Follow these simple steps to make the best sharable meal!

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut Rolls: Cut Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Then place the bottom half of the rolls on a small sheet pan or in a casserole dish.
Add Meat and Cheese: Layer the salami, pepperoni, cheese, and turkey on top of the rolls.
Add the Top of the Rolls: Place the top of the rolls on top of the turkey layer.
Butter Glaze: Melt the butter in a small bowl. Add the garlic salt, Italian seasonings, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and then brush the butter glaze on top of the rolls. Cover with aluminum foil and then place the sliders in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

For the Grinder Salad:

Prep While the Sliders Bake: While the sliders are baking prepare the grinder salad.
Veggie Mixture: In a medium bowl add the shredded lettuce, onions, and pepperoncinis, and tomato.
Whisk Dressing: Then in a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic, pepperoncini juice, Italian seasonings, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and then toss to combine.
Remove Top Layer of the Rolls: Remove the sliders from the oven and carefully remove the top rolls.
Add Salad: Spoon the salad mixture over the turkey layer then replace the top of the rolls.
Serve: Slice then serve immediately and enjoy warm!

Adding the salami layer to the grinder sliders

Place the salami on the bottom half of the buns.

Layer the pepperoni on the salami slices.

Next layering the cheese onto the sliders

Place the cheese on top of the pepperoni.

Layer the turkey on the cheese. Place the top buns on the turkey and brush with the butter glaze.

Whisking up the dressing for the grinder salad

Make the salad dressing.

Combining the vegetables and the salad dressing

Add the dressing to the salad ingredients.

Tossing the vegetables together with the dressing

Toss to coat the dressing in the salad.

Remove the top buns. Spoon the salad on the turkey. Replace the top buns and serve the warm sliders.

Tips and Variations

Other Deli Meats: You can swap out the turkey, salami, or pepperoni for your other favorite deli meats. I love using sliced chicken breast, pastrami, and roast beef!
Add Bacon: Bacon makes everything better, so layer on a few strips to your grinder sliders! I like using precooked bacon for easy prep.
Add Some Kick: Add more pepperoncinis as well as some sliced jalapenos for more heat!

Storing Leftovers

Grinder sliders are best served fresh! If you need to make them ahead of time, store the sliders with just the meat and cheese, and grinder salad separately.

In the fridge, either covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container, the sliders will stay good for a couple of days, and the salad will last for one week.

Cuban Sliders

40 mins

Dinner

Hot Pastrami Sliders

30 mins

Dinner

Ham and Cheddar Sliders

30 mins

Dinner

Cheeseburger Sliders

35 mins

Print

Grinder Sliders

The classic grinder sandwich made into sliders to share! You've got Hawaiian rolls topped with layers of pepperoni, salami, turkey, provolone, and creamy grinder salad. And to top things off- each roll is brushed with a buttery parmesan glaze and baked to golden brown perfection.
Course Dinner, lunch
Cuisine Italian American
Keyword grinder sliders
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
Servings 12 people
Calories 284kcal
Author Alyssa Rivers