This delicious veggie grinder is made with mozzarella and provolone, then piled high with vegetables for a satisfying sandwich that only takes minutes to make!

veggie grinders

My dad is from New England, where these sandwiches are known as grinders. In other places, they might be known as a Hero, a Hogie, or a Sub. If you really want to get into the nitty-gritty of definitions, you can check out this article by Eater. But whatever you want to call it, it’s delicious!

What’s on a Veggie Grinder?

I was inspired by the viral TikTok Grinder Salad Sandwich. While all the videos I saw had sandwiches piled high with meat, it was the salad on top that was really the start of the show. So I decided to put a vegetarian twist on it and make a meat-free version of this grinder. It was so good and now I’m hooked on these vegetarian sandwiches!

Veggie Grinder ingredients

What’s the best bread for a grinder?

I recommend buying hoagie rolls, which are soft with a slightly crusty exterior. They’re hearty enough that they can stand-up to lots of toppings, but they’re not too tough or chewy. Since we want to really load up the sandwich with toppings, I don’t want a bread that is too heavy or dense. I snagged these rolls in the bakery section of my local grocery store.

How to Make Veggie Grinders

  • Veggie Grinders
    Slice the grinder rolls in half and top with provolone and mozzarella.
  • Veggie Grinders
    Bake the grinders in the oven for 7-9 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  • Veggie Grinder salad
    In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, pepperoncini, red paper flakes, and salt.
  • Veggie Grinder salad
    Toss the romaine with the salad dressing.
  • Veggie Grinder salad
    Top each grinder with tomatoes and then add the lettuce mixture on top.
  • Veggie Grinder
    Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks

  • I liked using a combination of mozzarella and provolone, but you could substitute another cheese if you like. You could even use vegan cheese like Chao or Follow Your Heart slices.
  • I love the spicy kick of the pepperoncini but if you want a more mild flavor, you can cut back on the amount. (I added extra because I like it hot!)
  • If you don’t have romaine, you can substitute iceberg lettuce. But I think it’s best with a leafy green that has a little crunch!

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veggie grinder

Veggie Grinder Recipe

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 sandwiches 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

This delicious veggie grinder is made with mozzarella and provolone, then piled high with vegetables for a satisfying sandwich that only takes minutes to make!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 hoagie rolls (about 8″ each)
  • 4 slices provolone
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chopped pepperoncini
  • Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 head romaine, thinly sliced
  • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Slice the grinder rolls in half and top with provolone and mozzarella.
  3. Bake the grinder in the oven for 7-9 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, pepperoncini, red paper flakes, and salt.
  5. Toss the romaine with the salad dressing.
  6. Top each grinder with tomatoes and then add the lettuce mixture on top. Serve immediately.