Chopped Italian Sliders
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These chopped Italian sliders are everything you love about a deli sub, salty meats, crisp veggies, tangy dressing, packed into bite-sized sandwiches made with soft Hawaiian rolls.
Inspired by the popular viral trend, this recipe brings big flavor to your kitchen without the takeout price or soggy bread.
I first made these when I needed something easy but impressive for a weekend hangout. They were gone in 15 minutes and everyone asked for the recipe. If you’ve been craving cold Italian grinders loaded with texture and flavor, this one delivers.
Italian Deli Slider Recipe Ingredients
- Meats: Pepperoni slices, salami slices, deli ham slices
- Vegetables & More: Chopped romaine lettuce, fresh tomato slices, banana pepper rings, thinly sliced red onions
- Cheese: Provolone cheese slices
- Dressing and Seasoning: Mayonnaise, olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried Italian seasoning, salt, pepper
- Bread: Slider rolls, buns, or hoagies (we like King’s Hawaiian rolls, but those have a sweet flavor, so up to you)
How to Make Chopped Italian Sliders
Step 1: Chop the Filling
Start by laying out one small head of chopped romaine lettuce on a large cutting board. Add 12 slices of pepperoni, six slices of salami, six slices of deli ham, six slices of fresh tomato, and six slices of provolone cheese, along with a handful of banana pepper rings and thinly sliced red onions.
With a large, sharp knife, carefully chop the layered ingredients into small pieces, about 1/2 inch in size. This ensures each slider is packed with lots of Italian deli flavors.
Step 2: Add the Dressing
Generously drizzle the chopped mix with 1/4 cup of mayonnaise, three tablespoons of olive oil, and three tablespoons of red wine vinegar to add moisture and tang.
Liberally sprinkle one tablespoon of dried Italian seasoning over the mix and season with salt and pepper to your liking. This step infuses the sliders with classic Italian herbs and spices.
Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together, making sure each piece is well-coated with the dressing and seasoning, allowing the flavors to beautifully come together.
Step 3: Assemble the sliders:
(As a note, if you intend to toast these, do that before you assemble.) Take 12 slider rolls and open them up. Heap a generous portion of the flavorful filling onto each bun, ensuring a good balance of meats, vegetables, and dressing.
Gently press the sliders together to compact the filling slightly, making them easier and less messy to eat.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
This recipe yields 12 mouth-watering sliders, perfect for a gathering with friends or family. Serve them immediately to enjoy the fresh burst of Italian deli flavors in every bite.
Real Talk: What Makes These Sliders So Good
Crafted with a selection of straightforward and widely available ingredients right from the deli, chopped Italian sliders stand out for their irresistible taste and simplicity, offering the ultimate sandwich experience right in your own kitchen.
We suggest you use high-quality deli meats and cheeses that are sliced fresh. A family favorite is Boar’s Head brand, which you get at Publix.
Crazy Good Variation Ideas
To add variety to Chopped Italian Sliders, you can experiment with different types of meats, such as spicy Italian sausage or prosciutto. Incorporating a variety of cheeses, like mozzarella or gorgonzola (note that not everyone enjoys this specialty cheese), can also add additional flavor to the sliders.
For a vegetarian option, grilled vegetables or a marinated portobello mushroom can substitute for the meat. Adding a spread of pesto or sun-dried tomato mayonnaise gives it a fresh, tangy kick.
Suggested Side Dishes for Sliders
BONUS! Perfectly suited for parties, mini Italian grinders offer the convenience of being bite-sized, allowing for plenty of room on the plate for all your favorite side dishes.
Suggested side dishes for Chopped Italian Sliders include a crisp Caesar salad, garlic parmesan fries, or a flavorful pesto pasta salad.
How to store leftover Italian Sliders
Avoiding Sogginess: Ideally, to prevent the bread from becoming soggy, a good tip is to store the filling and the bread separately, if possible. Keep the filling in one container and the bread in another, and assemble the cold sliders when you are ready to eat them.
Wrap & Store: For best results, wrap each slider individually in aluminum foil or place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps to maintain their freshness and flavor. They will keep for up to 3 days.
Get more slider recipes for your party below!
Chopped Italian Sliders
Equipment
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
Fresh Produce:
- 1 small head of romaine lettuce chopped
- 6 slices fresh tomato
- Banana pepper rings to taste
- Thinly sliced red onions to taste
Deli Meats and Cheese:
- 12 slices pepperoni
- 6 slices salami
- 6 slices deli ham
- 6 slices provolone cheese
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Other:
- 12 slider rolls/buns
Instructions
Build the Salad Base
- On a large cutting board, start with the chopped romaine lettuce as the base. Layer on 12 slices of pepperoni, 6 slices of salami, and 6 slices of deli ham. Add 6 slices of fresh tomato, 6 slices of provolone cheese, a handful of banana pepper rings, and thinly sliced red onions.
Chop and Dress
- Using a large, sharp knife, chop all ingredients together into small, bite-sized pieces (about ½” or smaller). Drizzle the mixture with ¼ cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning over the top, then season generously with salt and pepper. Toss the chopped mixture well to evenly coat with dressing and seasoning. Let sit for 5–10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Assemble and Serve the Sliders
- Split 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls recommended). If desired, lightly toast them before filling. Spoon a generous portion of the chopped Italian mixture onto each bottom half, then top with the other half of the bun. Gently press each slider to help hold the filling in place. Serve immediately while fresh, or cover and chill briefly if preparing slightly ahead of time.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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