Name: Chopped Italian Sliders
Prep time: 15 min
Yield: 12 sliders
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 small head of romaine lettuce (chopped); 6 slices fresh tomato; Banana pepper rings (to taste); Thinly sliced red onions (to taste); 12 slices pepperoni; 6 slices salami; 6 slices deli ham; 6 slices provolone cheese; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper (to taste); 12 slider rolls/buns

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.

chopped italian slider ingredients on a cutting board in tiny pieces.

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.

grinder ingredients chopped and served on a kings hawaiian roll being held in a hand.

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)

italian deli ingredients stacked onto each other.

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.

all ingredients stacked and laid out on top of each other and then chopped up.

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.

adding seasonings, vinegar and mayo to chopped italian meats and cheeses.

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.

open faced slider buns with chopped italian meats and cheeses being added on top.

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.