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Chopped Italian sub sandwiches feature a mix of Italian meats (I like to use salami, pepperoni, and mortadella), paired with provolone or your choice of cheese.
Classic vegetables such as onion, lettuce, and tomato, along with pickled cucumbers, jalapeños, or banana peppers, add crunch and freshness.
All the flavors of a classic Italian sub are chopped and combined so you get the perfect bite every time. This chopped Italian sandwich style is absolutely worth the hype!
Keep reading for the full recipe, customization ideas, and my thoughts on the best bread for chopped Italian sandwiches, including my new love for homemade sourdough Italian sub rolls!
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Chopped Italian Sub Sandwiches
Being from New York, I consider myself a bit of a sub-connoisseur (kidding, kind of). I grew up surrounded by local delis, with the freshest meats, cheeses, homemade Italian salads, and everything that comes with the New York deli experience. I would probably choose a sub as my last dying meal, that’s how much I love them. 😂
Table of contents
Why Are Chopped Italian Sandwiches So Popular?
Chopped Italian sandwiches have taken over delis and social media for good reason!
Visually appealing: Fresh, colorful, and deli-style. Exactly what people love right now.
Every bite is balanced: Chopping distributes the meats, cheese, veggies, and dressing evenly so nothing gets lost!
Easy to customize: A chopped Italian sandwich can be tailored with different meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
Great for sharing and travel: Chopped Italian sub sandwiches are perfect for beach days, road trips, and casual gatherings.
Ingredients, Substitutions, and Customization Options
In the recipe, I use salami, pepperoni, mortadella, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickled jalapenos.
However, there are so many ways to customize the chopped Italian sub sandwiches to your liking. I have provided a list of options below. Test different combinations to create your perfect sub!
Italian Meats
- Salami – Various types like Genoa or Milano.
- Pepperoni – Spicy, cured sausage.
- Mortadella – Italian bologna with a mild flavor. Typically more affordable than other Italian deli meats.
- Capicola – Spicy cured pork shoulder or neck.
- Prosciutto – Thinly sliced, dry-cured ham.
- Pancetta – Italian bacon made from pork belly.
Italian Cheeses
- Mozzarella – Delicious, fresh, soft cheese with a mild flavor.
- Provolone – Semi-hard cheese with a sharp taste.
- Pecorino Romano – Hard, salty cheese made from sheep’s milk.
- Gorgonzola – Italian blue cheese with a strong flavor.
- Parmigiano-Reggiano – Hard, nutty cheese often grated.
Vegetables
- Tomatoes – Fresh, sun-dried, or roasted.
- Lettuce – Romaine or iceberg.
- Onions – Red, yellow, or white.
- Arugula – Peppery green leaves.
- Roasted Red Peppers – Sweet and smoky.
- Artichoke Hearts – Marinated or grilled.
- Olives – Kalamata, green, or black.
- Pickled Cucumbers – Crisp and tangy pickles.
- Pickled Jalapeños – Spicy and zesty.
- Banana Peppers – Mildly tangy and sweet.
- Pepperoncini – Mildly spicy with a slightly sweet taste.
How to Make Chopped Italian Sandwiches
Watch Me Make Them
The Instructions
1. Chop the meat and cheese. Place the sliced salami, pepperoni, and mortadella on a cutting board and chop away! Keep chopping until they’re in smaller pieces. It doesn’t have to be perfect (that’s the beauty of a chopped Italian sub). Add in the cheese and chop that with the meats until it’s fairly equal. Scoop everything into a medium-sized bowl.
2. Chop the veggies. First, chop the romaine leaves a bit since they’re larger than the rest of the vegetables. Place the onions, tomatoes, and pickled vegetables on top. Chop everything together until they’re similar in size. Add the vegetables to the bowl with the meat and cheese.
3. Make the deli dressing. To make the deli dressing (it is so dang good), whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and dijon mustard. Add the olive oil and seasonings, and whisk until smooth. Pour the sauce over the meat, cheese, and vegetables. Stir until well combined to be sure you get the perfect bite!
4. Cut the bread and build your Chopped Italian Sub Sandwiches. First, slice your sub rolls. You can either slice it completely in half lengthwise, pile on the chopped ingredients, put the other half of the bread on top, and slice it in half. Or, you can slice into the bread but not all the way through, making a boat. Add the ingredients, then cut it in half (as seen below)!
What is the best bread for Italian sandwiches?
The best bread for Italian sandwiches, often referred to as “panini,” is typically a crusty Italian bread such as ciabatta or focaccia. These breads have a hearty texture and a robust crust that holds up well to the fillings and grilling that are characteristic of Italian sandwiches. They also add a delicious flavor and authenticity to the sandwich experience.
Homemade Sourdough
For me, on the other hand, the best bread for Italian sandwiches is these Italian Sourdough Sandwich Rolls.
Yep, I’ve officially reached the point of millennial adulthood. I’m a sourdough girl.
I never thought the day would come because, to be honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of baking. That’s why I usually stick to easy baking recipes, like Pumpkin Cake Squares or Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
But, a girl I went to school with who follows my blog offered to send me a dried starter (SO nice of her)! I stared at the bag of dried starter for at least a couple of months before I finally leaped.
I brought the starter back to life by rehydrating it (I followed this guide). And since then, I’ve been gradually leaning into my role as a sourdough mom. It’s like having another pet. You have to feed it, give it water, and make sure it doesn’t die. 🤣
When I decided to do a sandwich series, I knew I had to make these Chopped Italian Sub Sandwiches the first one because it’s the nearest and dearest to my heart. I also knew I wanted to try making homemade sourdough Italian sub rolls for the first time, so here they are:
Is anyone else in the sourdough club? Please let me know in the comments because I am such a beginner, and I’ll take all the tips, advice, and recipes I can get. ⬇️🥖😊
FAQ: Chopped Italian Sub Sandwiches
A chopped Italian sandwich typically includes Italian deli meats, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickled vegetables, all finely chopped and tossed with a tangy deli-style dressing before being piled onto bread.
Traditional Italian sandwiches are made with cured meats like salami, pepperoni, mortadella, capicola, or prosciutto, paired with provolone or mozzarella, fresh vegetables, and a vinegar-based dressing.
An Italian cut sandwich refers to deli meats and cheese sliced very thin, common in Italian-American delis. In chopped Italian sandwiches, those same ingredients are chopped instead of layered.
Crusty breads like hoagie rolls, ciabatta, or focaccia work best for chopped Italian sub sandwiches because they hold up well to the chopped filling. Homemade sourdough sandwich rolls are also an excellent option.
Chopping ensures every bite of a chopped Italian sandwich has the perfect balance of meat, cheese, veggies, and dressing. No sliding fillings or uneven bites here!
Yes. You can prep the chopped Italian sandwich filling a few hours ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator. For the best texture, assemble the sandwiches just before serving.
Use sturdy bread, don’t overdress the mixture, and assemble right before serving. Lightly toasting the bread also helps prevent sogginess.
Absolutely. To turn this into a chopped Italian salad, skip the bread and serve the chopped meats, cheese, vegetables, and dressing over chopped romaine or arugula. It’s essentially all the flavor of chopped Italian sub sandwiches in salad form.
Chopped Italian sandwiches are traditionally served cold or at room temperature, though lightly toasted bread adds great texture.
Yes. Use leaner meats, reduce the amount of cheese, add extra vegetables, or enjoy it as a chopped Italian salad for a lighter option.
I’d love to hear about your experience with this Chopped Italian Sub recipe!
Please leave a question or comment below, get in touch via email, and follow me on social media, which I have linked below.
Watch the step-by-step process of how to make my Chopped Italian Subs on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or via the YouTube video at the top of the page. Hit the follow and subscribe buttons to follow along for even more recipes and cooking tips!
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More Spring/Summer Recipes you’ll love:
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- High Protein Pasta Salad with Chicken
- Caprese Turkey Burgers with Basil Vinaigrette
Chopped Italian Sub Sandwiches
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 sub sandwiches 1x
Description
These chopped Italian sub sandwiches combine classic Italian deli meats, provolone cheese, crisp vegetables, and a tangy deli-style dressing, all finely chopped so every bite is perfectly balanced. Served on sturdy sub rolls or sourdough sandwich bread, this chopped Italian sandwich is easy to customize and perfect for lunch, parties, or casual dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 sub rolls (I made these – see more info above)
- 4 ounces deli salami, sliced
- 4 ounces deli pepperoni, sliced
- 6 ounces deli mortadella, sliced
- 8 ounces provolone cheese
- 10 romaine leaves
- 2 Roma tomatoes, centers removed
- 1/2 onion (yellow, red or white works), sliced
- 1 cup pickles (I use pickled jalapenos or cucumbers)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Place the sliced salami, pepperoni, and mortadella on a cutting board and chop away. Keep chopping until they’re in smaller pieces. Add in the cheese and chop that with the meats until it’s fairly equal. Scoop everything into a medium-sized bowl.
- Chop the romaine a bit. Place the onions, tomatoes, and pickled vegetables over top. Chop everything together until they’re similar in size. Add the vegetables to the bowl with the meat and cheese.
- To make the deli dressing, whisk together the mayonnaise, vinegar, and mustard. Add the olive oil and seasonings, and whisk until smooth. Pour the sauce over the meat, cheese, and vegetables. Stir until well combined.
- Slice the bread. You can either slice it completely in half lengthwise, pile on the chopped ingredients, put the other half of the bread on top, and slice it in half. Or, you can slice into the bread but not all the way through, making a boat. Add the ingredients in and enjoy it that way.
5. Enjoy your homemade chopped Italian sub sandwiches! And if you’re like me and love a crunch factor, grab your salt and vinegar chips and add them to your sandwich!
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Burgers, Sandwiches, and Wraps, 30 Minutes or Less, Main Dishes
- Method: No Cooking Necessary
- Cuisine: American
This looks amazing, especially with your homemade bread! Your father said you better make this when you come home. We can’t wait honey to see you not just your sandwich!!❤️❤️❤️
I will definitely make it when I go home! I can’t wait to see you both! 🩵🩵🩵
This looks amazingly delicious! I can just imagine the fusion of flavors it would create with all these ingredients. Love it—hope to try it soon. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much, Rosie! Yes, the fusion of flavors is absolutely perfect! So yummy. I hope you love the recipe. 🙂
This is what you call a sandwich. The different chops of cold-cut meats are a vibe. I do not eat mayo, so I will have to find a substitute. But awesome recipe, Jenna.
Thank you, Kevin! If you don’t eat mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt should be a good substitute. I haven’t tried it that way but I bet it would be delicious. ☺️
I loved reading about your sub adventures and the deep connection you have with New York delis. Your story about walking to the local deli with your best friend brought back so many fond memories. I hope to visit New York one day and check out some of their places to eat!
I appreciate you taking the time to read my story, Ann! Yes, you should certainly visit New York when you get the chance to. Pizza, subs, and Chinese food are 3 must-try foods while visiting, among many others! 😊
You had me at salami and cheese. Plus, I love quick and easy recipes like sandwiches so thanks for sharing ! Can’t wait to try that one!
You can never go wrong with salami and cheese! You’re very welcome, Ginger. I hope you love the recipe as much as we do. 🙂
My husband would love this chopped Italian sub sandwich! This is a great idea and his favorite.
I have been thinking of trying this viral sandwich for quite sometime now and your recipe made me do it. It turned out delicious!
I’m so glad you loved the chopped Italian subs, Vaishali! 🙂
Wow, this recipe looks yummy, I never tried the Italian sub sandwiches before but knowing how to make them. We can try them at home. Easy to follow and informative.
I’m so glad my recipe inspired you to try something new, Fransic! I hope you love the chopped Italian subs. 🙂
Love it! Easy to make, Thanks for this!
I’m so glad you loved the chopped Italian subs and found them easy to make, lani! Thanks for giving the recipe a try. 🙂
We LOVED this so much. I added black olives and used pepperonchinis as my pickled ingredient. Saving this for future meals.
I’m so happy you loved the recipe, Stephanie! Ohhh I love black olives. That’s a great addition. I would add them to ours but olives are the one thing my husband hates. 😂 Thank you for saving the recipe and for leaving your feedback!