Viral Italian Sub in a Tub Recipe

Introduction

This viral Italian Sub in a Tub is beloved for its ease and freshness. Made with a handy veggie chopper, it quickly comes together into a fiber-packed, healthy-ish salad. Enjoy it straight from the tub or plated in a bowl for a satisfying meal any time of year.

Ingredients

• 1 head of lettuce
• 1 red onion
• 1 cucumber
• 6–8 red mini peppers
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• ¼ cup beer pickles
• ¼ cup banana peppers
• 4 oz mortadella
• 4 oz pepperoni
• 4 oz Pepper Jack cheese
• 2 tablespoons avocado mayo
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon pickle seasoning or Italian seasoning
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare your ingredients by halving the lettuce, slicing the cucumber, removing tops from the mini peppers, slicing the red onion, and cutting the mortadella into pieces that fit your veggie chopper.
2. Step 2: Place the large chopping insert into your veggie chopper and add the lettuce. Chop until finely shredded.
3. Step 3: Add cucumbers to the chopper and repeat the chopping. Continue this process with the red onion, mini peppers, grape tomatoes, pickles, banana peppers, mortadella, pepperoni, and cheese.
4. Step 4: Once all ingredients are chopped, remove the chopper lid and add avocado mayo, olive oil (if using), vinegar, seasoning, and pepper. Toss everything gently to combine.
5. Step 5: Serve immediately in a bowl or directly from the tub as intended.

Tips & Variations

• Substitute spinach for lettuce for a different leafy green option.
• Use turkey or ham instead of mortadella if preferred.
• To make it vegetarian, simply skip the meats.
• Skip the cheese to make the dish dairy-free.
• Add chili pepper flakes if you like it spicy.
• Feel free to experiment with your favorite vegetables or proteins for variety.

Storage

Store the chopped ingredients in an airtight container and keep the condiments (mayo, oil, vinegar, seasonings) separate. Combine just before serving. Properly stored, this salad will stay fresh up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes! Prepare and chop all ingredients ahead and store them in an airtight container without the dressings. Add the mayo, oil, vinegar, and seasonings only when ready to serve for optimal freshness.

What if I don’t have a veggie chopper?

You can finely chop all the ingredients by hand with a sharp knife. It may take a bit longer, but the salad will still be delicious.

Viral Italian Sub in a Tub Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 81 reviews

• Author: Naomi
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Viral Italian Sub in a Tub is a quick, easy, and healthy salad-packed meal inspired by the classic Italian sub sandwich. Made using a veggie chopper to mince fresh vegetables, meats, and cheese into bite-sized pieces, this fiber-rich salad combines lettuce, cucumbers, peppers, onions, pickles, mortadella, pepperoni, and pepper jack cheese. Tossed with creamy avocado mayo, optionally olive oil, tangy apple cider or balsamic vinegar, and Italian seasoning, it’s perfect for a no-cook, grab-and-go lunch or meal prep. The recipe is naturally gluten-free and customizable for vegetarians and dairy-free diets.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 1 head romaine lettuce (or spinach as substitution)
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 6 red mini peppers, tops removed
• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• 1/2 cup beer pickles, sliced
• 1/4 cup banana peppers

Meats and Cheese

• 1/2 cup mortadella, chopped to fit chopper (can substitute turkey or ham)
• 1/2 cup pepperoni, chopped
• 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese, chopped (skip for dairy-free)

Dressings and Seasonings

• 1/4 cup avocado mayonnaise
• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
• 1–2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon pickle seasoning or Italian seasoning
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables and meats: Begin by washing and prepping your vegetables and meats. Cut the lettuce head in half, slice the cucumber, remove the tops of the mini peppers, slice the red onion, and cut the mortadella so it fits into your veggie chopper.
2. Chop with veggie chopper: Insert the large chopping blade into your veggie chopper. Add the lettuce and chop it thoroughly. Follow by adding the cucumbers, red onions, mini peppers, grape tomatoes, pickles, banana peppers, mortadella, pepperoni, and pepper jack cheese one after another, chopping each into fine, bite-sized pieces.
3. Add dressings and seasonings: Once all the ingredients are finely chopped in the chopper, remove the top. Add the avocado mayonnaise, optional olive oil, apple cider or balsamic vinegar, pickle or Italian seasoning, and a pinch of black pepper.
4. Toss and serve: Toss all the ingredients together in the chopper bowl or transfer to a serving bowl for presentation. Enjoy immediately as a fresh salad or serve chilled.
5. Meal prep tip: To meal prep, remove the chopped ingredients from the veggie chopper and store them in an airtight container. Add the mayo, oil, vinegar, and seasonings only when ready to serve to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Notes

• You can substitute romaine lettuce with spinach.
• Use turkey or ham instead of mortadella if preferred.
• For a vegetarian option, omit all meats.
• Dairy-free option: skip the cheese.
• The recipe is naturally gluten-free.
• Add chili flakes if a spicy flavor is desired.
• Store leftovers in airtight containers with dressings separate to maintain freshness up to 5 days.
• Use a high-quality veggie chopper for best results in chopping fine uniform pieces.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Italian sub salad, no-cook lunch, healthy Italian sub, veggie chopper recipe, gluten free salad, meat and cheese salad, easy meal prep salad