Description
This Viral Pickle Sandwich features crispy cheese-crusted pickle slices that act as the bread, layered with savory genoa salami, pepperoni, turkey, and a tangy Italian grinder salad topped with fresh tomatoes. It’s a flavorful, low-carb alternative to traditional sandwiches, perfect for a creative lunch or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Pickle Bread
- 6–8 slices sandwich pickles (such as Vlasic sandwich stackers)
- 1 cup medium cheddar cheese, shredded
Protein Layers
- 8 slices genoa salami
- 8 slices pepperoni
- 4 slices turkey
Grinder Salad
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, finely shredded
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup banana peppers, chopped
- 1/2 tomato, sliced
Italian Grinder Salad Dressing
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated and divided
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Bread: Lay shredded medium cheddar cheese in two rectangular shapes side by side on parchment paper-lined pan, mimicking the size of sandwich bread slices. Place 3-4 pickle slices side by side on top of each cheese rectangle, then sprinkle a little more shredded cheese over the pickles.
- Bake Cheese and Pickles: Place the pan in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 25 minutes. Check halfway through to ensure pickles haven’t shifted; gently reposition if needed. The cheese ‘bread’ is done when edges are browned and crispy.
- Prepare Grinder Salad: While baking, combine mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, half the parmesan cheese, half the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and pepper in a medium bowl to make the dressing. Add shredded lettuce, sliced red onion, and chopped banana peppers; toss until vegetables are evenly coated.
- Cool Cheese Bread: Remove the cheese-crusted pickles from oven and let cool for 5 minutes to set.
- Warm Meat: Optionally, lay genoa salami, pepperoni, and turkey slices on a pan and broil for 2 minutes to warm through.
- Assemble Sandwich: On one cheese-pickle layer, place warmed meats evenly. Top with the prepared grinder salad, add sliced tomatoes, then cover with the second cheese-pickle layer. Slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use medium cheddar for balanced flavor; sharp cheddar can be overpowering. Flavored cheeses like dill havarti also work well.
- The cheese-crusted pickle ‘bread’ stores well when tightly wrapped in the fridge for up to one week.
- If you prefer a no-meat version, feel free to omit the meats for a vegetarian option.
- Broiling the meats is optional but enhances warmth and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1100 mg
- Fat: 50 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
