How to Make the Viral Chopped Italian Sandwich from TikTok
Updated: Jul. 31, 2023
An antipasto salad and an Italian sub come together to make this perfect combination: a chopped Italian sandwich!
Nine times out of ten, my sandwich order is a classic Italian sub, aka a grinder sandwich. The layers of deli meats, cheese, sour pickled bits, shredded lettuce and Italian vinaigrette come together to hit all the right notes—sweet, sour, salty and fully delicious. Remove the bread and chop it all up, and you’ve got an antipasto salad, a favorite at our house. Somewhere along the way, a very smart TikToker realized that the chopped salad tasted great inside the bun, thus creating the chopped Italian sandwich.
Somehow this small change made all the difference, and the sandwich world has never been the same!
What Is a Chopped Italian Sandwich?
@ninjacue Chopped Italian sandwiches #choppeditaliansubsandwich #sandwich ♬ original sound – Ninjacue
A chopped Italian combines different deli meats and cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes and pickled bits like pepperoncini. Instead of layering the ingredients on the bread, you lay the ingredients on top of each other on a cutting board, and then chop everything together until it’s all bite sized. Take the chopped ingredients and mix with the mayo and red wine vinaigrette, then scoop into your sandwich roll. The bread tends to be on the softer side, great for soaking up some of the delicious juice that will inevitably drip from this sandwich.
How to Make a Chopped Italian Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4-5 slices deli ham
- 4-5 slices pepperoni
- 4-5 slices salami
- 3-4 slices provolone
- 3 slices tomato
- 3 tablespoons sliced pepperoncini
- 1/2 small red onion, thin sliced
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded lettuce
- 3 tablespoons Italian vinaigrette, homemade or store-bought
Directions
Step 1: Arrange and chop ingredients
On a cutting board, layer your lettuce, ham, pepperoni, salami and whatever other deli slices you plan to use. Add the provolone, tomato slices, pepperoncini and red onion.
Step 2: Chop away
Rough chop the ingredients into squares, then continue to chop until you’ve got small bite-size bits of all the ingredients. Add the mayonnaise and vinaigrette and mix well.
Step 3: Fill sandwich
Fill the bun with the chopped sandwich filling. If it looks like it’s going to be a little messy, you’ve done your job right! Serve immediately.
Tips for Making a Chopped Italian Sandwich
How to store chopped sandwich leftovers
The filling itself will last longer than you think, especially if you wait to dress it and keep it separate from the bun as well. Once dressed, the filling will stay good for a couple of days. If you store the filling without dressing, it will last for up to a week.
How can I make this recipe my own?
This is the perfect recipe to make your own! If you don’t like pepperoncini, switch them out for Mama Lil’s, a beloved Portland pickle, or pickled marinated peppers. For cheeses, use whatever cheese floats your boat—I think mozzarella and pepper jack would be great combinations. I also love to switch up the salamis and deli meats for variety.
What bread could you use other than a typical hoagie bun?
I love to use a soft sandwich roll from the grocery store for a chopped Italian sub. You could also use a baguette or any type of long roll.
Tortilla Wrap
Don't fuss around with folding a wrap ever again. Just use this clever wrap hack! Portion out four toppings and place each one in a corner of your tortilla. Then, fold clockwise and cook. When ready to serve, slice in half for a nice and tidy wrap. For more inspiration, check out our sandwich wrap recipes to make this trend your own.
TikTok Spaghetti
Similar to million-dollar spaghetti, this TikTok recipe uses a blend of Alfredo and pasta sauce and a generous amount of mozzarella cheese for a ooey-gooey dish. Ground beef is added to the mix with dashes of pepper and chili flakes and bits of garlic and onions, making for the perfect pasta.
Feta Fried Eggs
You'll only need a few ingredients—avocado, eggs, feta, seasoning, a tortilla and lime—to make this TikTok egg breakfast. Start by heating a pan on the stove, then sprinkle feta cheese around the edges and crack an egg in the middle. Cook the egg as you typically would for a fried egg, then serve it over a tortilla with smashed avocado. It's so quick and easy to make, you'll definitely want to add it to your breakfast rotation.
Chamoy Pickles
If you haven't tried this TikTok recipe for flavored pickles, you're missing out! Fill a jar halfway with pickle juice, add in pickles and pour in chamoy sauce. Then add a few sprinkles of Tajin seasoning, mango powder and Tapatio hot sauce before closing the jar and giving it a good shake. These pickles will need to marinate for at least seven days, but when they're ready, you'll be in for a sweet, sour and spicy treat!
French Onion Soup Potatoes
If your favorite way to warm up in the winter is with a big bowl of French onion soup, then you'll rave over these potatoes. This recipe takes roasted potato slices and tops them with Gruyere cheese and onions caramelized with red wine. It's a starchy replica of the traditional soup you'll be seriously impressed with.
Take note—you'll need an hour to caramelize the onions, but it's very worth it.
Butter Board
If you find yourself making plenty of charcuterie boards, you're sure to love butter boards, too. Instead of filling up a board with cured meats, cheeses and crackers, you spread softened butter as your base, sprinkle on fresh herbs, salt and other seasonings, and serve with warm bread or crostini for scooping. Just make sure you start with one of our Test Kitchen's picks for the best butter brands.
Whipped Coffee
While everyone was hunkering down early in the pandemic, many turned to TikTok to cure their boredom. Dalgona coffee, also known as whipped coffee, became an overnight sensation because it takes only three simple ingredients to make and it's creamy and delicious.
Whipped coffee became so popular, in fact, that there are many riffs on it, like whipped nutella, whipped matcha, whipped hot chocolate and whipped strawberry milk. Once you've mastered the original, try one of these whipped coffee variations.
Kit-Kat Cheesecake
One bite into this Kit-Kat cheesecake and you'll see what all the hype is about. Surrounded by a Kit-Kat "crust" ring and topped with crumbled candies, it's every Kit-Kat lover's dream. The cream cheese filling complements the decadent, chocolatey goodness of the sweets. Here are more easy cheesecake recipes to keep in mind once you've eaten up every slice.
Parmesan-Crusted Potatoes
If you love the little cheese skirt you'll sometimes find around foods such as burgers, burritos and even dumplings, you'll love Parmesan-crusted potatoes. Begin by "crusting" your cookie sheet: Sprinkle a full layer of grated Parmesan cheese on a baking sheet. Then, put halved potatoes right on top and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. The potatoes will come out crispy, cheesy and with the thin crunch of that cheese skirt we all know and love.
Pancake Cereal
Pancake cereal proves that anything bite-sized is worth the hype. The Naughty Fork combined two breakfast favorites to create this unique breakfast dish that wowed. No need for milk with this cereal, though—just pour a little maple syrup over it to enjoy. And if you don't feel like making your own pancake cereal, you can pick up a boy of Belgian Boys pancake cereal at Target.
Grinder Sandwich
The best kinds of sandwiches are loaded ones, and this grinder sandwich is definitely one of them. Start with Italian bread topped with plenty of cheese and several kinds of meat, and toast to perfection. Next, add a chopped salad mixture tossed in a homemade mayo-based dressing. Then, sandwich and enjoy! The combination and contrast of the hot, crusty bread and the cold crunch of the salad makes every bite of this sandwich truly top-tier.
Cloud Bread
I'm sure you've seen this TikTok trend floating around the internet, or maybe you've even whipped it up in your own kitchen. Not to be confused with keto cloud bread, TikTok's viral cloud bread recipe is a heavenly creation of its own. By using only three ingredients, you can make this colorful bread in 25 minutes flat.
Baked Salad
If you're a salad lover, baked salad is right up your alley. The invention by Justine Snacks is just like it sounds: Veggies like kale and cabbage are baked and tossed with a warm, homemade dressing and something to give it some crunch, like quinoa. When you make your own, consider adding any of these roasted veggies to your mixture.
Cheese-Wrapped Pickles
Cheese-wrapped pickles are the perfect late night snack for pickle lovers. Plus, they only take a few minutes to make: Heat up a slice of cheese in a frying pan until it gets melty, place a dill pickle spear in the center, and wrap the cheese around the pickle. Voila! A hot, cheesy and quick snack with a little tang. This might be one of our new favorite ways to eat pickles.
Twisted Bacon
Think you've already found the crispest bacon recipe yet? Think again! While there are many ways to cook bacon, ultra-crispy twisted bacon is one of our favorites. It's the perfect on-the-go snack, or way to make bacon seem a little bit more elegant at your next brunch get-together.
Kool-Aid Pickles
"Koolickles," or Kool-Aid pickles, change the pickle-eating game. Kool-Aid powder transforms tangy dill pickles (either spears or chips) into a sweet and sour treat that's absolutely crave-worthy. It'll be hard to eat just one.
Oreo Sushi
If Oreo sushi is the wrong way to eat an Oreo, we don't want to be right. This sweet treat mimics rolled ice cream and only uses two ingredients. Dunk into a "soy sauce" (chocolate sauce or milk) before taking a bite.
Sugo
Did you know "sugo" is the word for sauce in Italian? This sugo recipe is sure to make your pasta extra flavorful—especially if you doctor it up to your liking with fresh basil, quality olive oil and the perfect amount of red pepper flakes. Pair it with homemade pasta for a fully from-scratch dish.
Healthy Coke
We're not convinced this drink dubbed "healthy Coke" actually tastes like Coke, but it sure looks like it. Check out these recipes with Coca-Cola if you have actual soda that needs using up.
Garden Focaccia
This viral TikTok trend was another born during the early days of the pandemic when everyone was trying out new all-day baking projects to pass the time. Beautiful breads, like this garden focaccia from Diane Morrisey, were taking over For You Pages everywhere during the spring of 2020. Not only are their designs inspiring, but they're made of edible ingredients, so nothing goes to waste.
Corn Ribs
Hearing the name corn ribs may make you raise your eyebrows at first, but we promise you that they're to die for. To make corn into "ribs,"cut each ear into four pieces—that's what gives them their rib shape. Then, you can serve them the traditional way, with a smoky elote-inspired sauce, or on their own.
Matcha Martini
If you love matcha, you're sure to love matcha martinis. Typically made with prepared matcha, vodka, white chocolate liqueur and simple syrup, the drink has a striking color and a sweet taste that's sure to get you hooked—especially if you need a little boost of caffeine for the evening.
Crispy Rice Sushi Waffles
Crispy rice sushi waffles use leftover sushi rice and turn it into crispy "waffles" topped with spicy salmon avocado and other sushi-esque toppings. If you crave sushi or a poke bowl every now and then, this recipe is for you.
Bacon-Wrapped Pickles
Here's another bacon-wrapped recipe to add to your recipe book. Bacon-wrapped pickles will be a sure-fire hit at your next party or get-together. And thankfully, TikTokers have not only created a recipe for your smoker, but for your air fryer, too.
Ramen Lasagna
Give pasta night a new twist and replace those lasagna noodles with a handful of ramen. The kids will love this one, and you'll love how easy it is to put together. Next, think outside the packet with this ramen slider recipe.
Hot Cocoa Bombs
Hot cocoa bombs work similarly to bath bombs: Just pour hot water (or milk) over the hot cocoa bomb to make it melt. Most hot cocoa bombs release all sorts of goodies once melted, like mini marshmallows and sprinkles. They're a perfect addition to a hot chocolate board.
Mac and Cheese
Sure, it may look like your usual Kraft Mac and Cheese, but this viral mac and cheese hack has changed the way we prep our mac and cheese forever. The key step? No straining. Add all your fix-ins directly with the noodles as they cook to give it an extra-creamy consistency.
Adult Capri Suns
These super-sized adult Capri Sun drinks are about to be your drink of the summer. Using a bag of frozen fruit and a splash of summery wine, this summer cocktail couldn't be any easier to make. Don't forget to poke a hole through the bag for some extra nostalgia. Try out these Capri Sun popsicles next.
Taco Pickles
Taco seasoning and a jar of dill pickles are a match made in heaven, and you'll see why if you make this recipe yourself. Taco pickles are a great afternoon snack or spicy side for your sandwich lunch.
Chicken Tacos
Cheap, easy and oh-so-delicious, this chicken taco recipe was made for the college student in your life (or any beginner chef, for that matter). These tacos only need one pan and a handful of ingredients to make. You prep and assemble everything in the same pan that you cooked the meat in—which is why the shell gets crunchy and delicious.
Vegan Bacon
If you follow a vegan diet, you know it's hard to find the right meat substitute for bacon. It's difficult to get that crunchy texture and smoky flavor. That's where vegan bacon steps in to satisfy any bacon hankerings. The surprise ingredient, you ask? Carrots!
Malibu Pineapples
Boozy pineapples? Count us in. Soak a jar of pineapples in Malibu rum overnight for a tropical snack that will take you straight to the tropics. Enjoy the Malibu pineapples as is, coated in toasted coconut or in a rum cocktail.
Air-Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
Move over, skillet cookies. There's a new cookie in town (and it takes less than half the time and effort). This giant air-fryer cookie recipe takes a mere 10 minutes to achieve that crispy, gooey texture you get from most skillet cookie recipes. Plop a dollop of vanilla ice cream on top when you're ready to serve.
Creamy Lemonade
Pour yourself a tall glass whipped lemonade to beat the heat. This stuff is a level up from what you get at the lemonade stand. Whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk give it that frothy, mouthwatering taste and texture.
3-Ingredient Fettuccine Alfredo
You'll never make fettuccine Alfredo any other way after you try this simple Alfredo recipe that uses salted butter and Parmigiano Reggiano. Simply toss the fettuccine in this 2-ingredient sauce for a restaurant-worthy dish.
Flamin' Hot Cheeto Salad
Salad is a term I'll use loosely here, but nonetheless, this Flamin' Hot Cheeto salad has gotten rave reviews online. Made up of hot Cheetos, cilantro, cucumber, hot sauce and lemon juice, this salad is for those who like a little kick. And since it's so simple, there's plenty of room to customize with other toppings and mix-ins.
Smoked Cream Cheese
Fire up the grill for a show-stopping cheesy appetizer that'll please the whole family. Smoked cream cheese—coated in pecans and a BBQ rub—practically melts in your mouth after it's done cooking in your smoker. Haul out the Ritz crackers and dive right in.
Cowboy Butter
Once you make cowboy butter, you'll want to pair it with everything (it goes particularly well with steak). In addition to butter, the recipe calls for lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard and plenty of spices like chile flakes, paprika, parsley and chives.
White Claw Slushies
Raise a toast to this chilly, refreshing cocktail. This adults-only White Claw slushie is basically begging to be at your next pool party or outdoor barbecue. Put a pack of black cherry White Claws to good use by blending up this recipe—or, swap in any of your favorite White Claw flavors.
Air-Fryer Oreos
This is a hack that you wish you would've run into sooner. Create this state fair food right in your own kitchen with a TikTok air-fryer Oreos recipe. Since they use an air fryer, they're a bit on the healthier side than the deep-fried ones you find at your local fair.
Breakfast Sandwich
Make your mornings even breezier with this TikTok breakfast sandwich. The trick here is to pour two whisked eggs onto your skillet, then dip two slices of bread into that mixture. Once cooked, flip them over and onto each other to make your sammy. We recommend adding a few slices of bacon and some melted cheese. Easy-peasy!
Whipped Brown Butter
Browned butter is something that gives your blondies and chocolate chip cookies a little extra depth of flavor. But when you make whipped browned butter, you get that extra flavor and an irresistible texture. Spread it on crostini, toast and anything that's made better with butter. If you're feeling adventurous, try whipping one of these homemade butter recipes.
Ranch Pickles
Ranch lovers, rejoice! We've got a new concoction you have to try for yourself: ranch pickles. This snack is seriously addicting. If you've got some leftover ranch seasoning, use it up with one of these recipes that start with a packet of ranch dressing mix.
Watermelon Pizza
Take a bite into summery flavor with this watermelon pizza recipe. Chamoy (a pickled fruit sauce) is the "tomato sauce," and lemon slices and tajin seasoning make for some tasty "pizza toppings." Cut into slices for the full pizza dining experience. If you love this recipe, give this fruit pizza with mandarin oranges, blueberries and strawberries a try.
Negroni Sbagliato
This drink became popular when an interview with actors from HBO's House of the Dragon were asked about their favorite cocktails. Afterward, everyone wanted to try the negroni sbagliato for themselves. It's even better with prosecco in it (IYKYK). Stunning!
Pickled Garlic
Pickled garlic is your new go-to if you don't have any kimchi at home. TikTok creator @Lalaleluu made this recipe after she moved away from her Korean neighbor who frequently gave her a supply of homemade kimchi. She swears this is the next best thing.
Oreo Mug Cake
Oh, mug cakes—we love you. The convenience, the simplicity, the ooey-gooey middle. With this Oreo mug cake recipe it takes just a minute to turn a handful of crushed Oreos and a splash of milk into a decadent treat.
Frozen Grapes
Here's a riff on the fan-favorite cotton candy grapes. Using your favorite powdered Jell-O mix and a bag of green grapes, you can make this snackable sweet. And if you're a WW member, this guy can be a 0-point treat if you use sugar-free Jell-O mix. For another delicious TikTok grapes recipe, try out air-fryer grapes.
Crunchy Bread
Crunchy bread...the best thing since sliced bread. Just pick up a loaf of classic white bread (or experiment with sourdough, wheat or pumpernickel), douse in whisked egg and fry on your stovetop. Perfect for French toast or monkey bread!
"Snickles"
TikTokers swear that you shouldn't knock this recipe until you try it. "Snickles" are exactly what they sound like. Slice a big dill pickle down the middle and place a candy bar inside for a tangy, yet sweet, snack.
Turkey-Shaped Sourdough Bread
Here's a festive turkey-shaped bread perfect for your Thanksgiving dinner. You can easily customize this TikTok recipe for other holidays and celebrations as well. Shape the bread as a pumpkin for fall or a wreath for Christmas.
Vodka Butter
Who would have thought to put vodka and butter together? The inventive condiment is a fun twist on regular butter for spreading on crostini, baguette or even a butter board. We recommend pairing a swipe of vodka butter on a slice of rye bread with pickles or capers.
Fondant Potatoes
Also known as melting potatoes, fondant potatoes simply melt in your mouth. Cut then into 1-inch slices, sear and then bake for about 30 minutes to get a potato that has a crunch on the outside and a tender, flavorful inside.
Peanut Butter Cup Rice Cakes
Looking for a healthy alternative to your favorite candy bar? Grab rice cakes, peanut butter, bananas and melted chocolate for a healthier (and bigger!) take on Reese's peanut butter cups. Once your peanut butter cup rice cakes are gone, here are more peanut butter and chocolate desserts to sate that sweet tooth.
Air-Fryer Bagel Chips
Instead of slicing a bagel like usual, cut it vertically into little bites to make air-fryer bagel chips. Spritz each one with cooking spray, season with a little salt, air-fry and that's it! TikToker Gigi Madanipour suggests serving them with a sour cream and yogurt dip made with Everything But the Bagel seasoning from Trader Joe's. Yum!
Green Goddess Salad
Yes, green goddess salad dressing has been around for quite some time, but creator Baked by Melissa made her own take that went viral—and for good reason. The key is chopping up the veggies small enough that you can eat it like a dip. Scoop it up with tortilla chips.
One-Pot French Onion Pasta
Another food trend you'll spot in TikTok recipes is cooking pasta in liquids other than water. It can make the noodles more flavorful and saves you a dirty dish to clean! This one-pot French onion pasta recipe cooks the noodles in the same pot as the caramelized onions, in a combination of stock and water so all of the flavors meld together nicely.
Pizza Soup
TikTok's @brunchwithbabs makes your favorite comfort food in soup form. Many of the same pizza toppings you'd put on a homemade pizza are ingredients in this pizza soup, such as pizza sauce, Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese and more. This is just one of the pizza-inspired recipes we love.
Air-Fryer Pizza Sticks
Although string cheese is already great on its own, level it up by turning it into air-fryer pizza sticks. Roll halved tortillas around string cheese, sprinkle with Trader Joe's pizza seasoning, and air-fry until crispy and golden.
Meringue Animals
Who needs marshmallows when you can have cutesy animal-shaped meringues in your hot cocoa? TikToker Amy's Kitchen creates little piggies to float in a drink, along with dinosaurs, dogs and whatever else her followers request. Follow our meringue tips to make your own and use food coloring to create your critters.
Crispy Potatoes
This tasty TikTok potato recipe relies on a little bit of food science, a few pinches of salt and a couple of Yukon Gold potatoes to get an ultra-crispy texture. Season with Old Bay, paprika, black pepper, Maldon salt and a few sprigs of rosemary for the perfect potato side for garlic-butter steak or a bowl of soup.
Pancake Spaghetti
You've heard of pancake cereal—how about pancake spaghetti? Drizzle thin strips of batter from your favorite brand of pancake mix on a hot griddle and let them cook until you've got pancake spaghetti! Top with powdered sugar and maple syrup or your choice of jam and chopped fruit.
Cinnamon Rolls with Heavy Cream
As if cinnamon rolls weren't delicious enough! Pour heavy whipping cream on store-bought cinnamon rolls before baking to make them even moister, since the cream is absorbed by the cinnamon roll dough. Try making cinnamon rolls with heavy cream next time you've got an impromptu brunch to host or attend.
Creamy Ramen Noodles
Watery ramen is a thing of the past thanks to this ramen TikTok hack. Combine mayo and eggs to create a creamy sauce for this classic noodle dish. Our suggestion? Add sauteed veggies and a protein (like chicken or tofu) for additional flavor.
Whiskey Pickles
Joining the lineup with ranch pickles, taco pickles and Kool-Aid pickles...whiskey pickles. The TikTok recipe uses Jameson and zesty dill pickles, but you could experiment with different types of whiskey and different kinds of pickles to make your own whiskey pickles overnight.
Clear Potato Chips
Next time you boil a pot of potatoes for your favorite mashed potato recipe, save the potato water to make clear potato chips. While these definitely take a little extra work, this science experiment of a recipe will be worth the impressed looks on your friends' faces. It may be one of the most unique potato recipes you'll try.
Prosecco Vodka Grapes
You've heard of soaking gummy bears in champagne or vodka, but have you heard of soaking grapes? These prosecco vodka grapes soak overnight in a mixture of the two. Once you roll them in sugar, you can eat them as garnishes or as a sweet treat. We could see these as a super fun bridal shower recipe.
Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups
Next time you make tomato soup, serve these grilled cheese roll-ups instead of a regular grilled cheese sandwich. Flatten out a piece of bread, load it up with cheese and roll it up, sealing the edge with melted butter. Toast it in a skillet and voila!
3-Ingredient Ice Cream
Sometimes an ice cream hankering hits faster than you can get to the store. If you've got sweetened condensed milk, cream and some sort of flavor add-in at home, then you can make this 3-ingredient ice cream recipe when the moment strikes. Mix in whatever you're craving—from traditional vanilla to chocolate caramel cheesecake—to make your customizable ice cream.
Crunchy Croissant
If you're lucky enough to have leftover croissants, this TikTok recipe flattens and caramelizes them, making them crunchy and perfect for an ice cream sandwich. Be sure you're using day-old croissants—you don't want to waste a buttery, fresh pastry by flattening it! If you still have some left over when you're done, put the rest of the pastries to use in these recipes using croissants.
Parmesan-Crusted Carrots
These Parmesan-crusted carrots will quickly become your new go-to carrot recipe. Make them with the recommended honey mustard dip and, all of a sudden, carrots will be your favorite vegetable.
Miso Pasta
If you're a fan of miso in dishes like miso soup and miso ramen, you'll love miso pasta. The miso-butter sauce brings an unexpected level of umami to pasta. Top it with roasted seaweed or sesame seeds.
Marry Me Chicken
This TikTok recipe is delicious enough that it'd be worth marrying the cook for! Make this "marry me" chicken recipe if you're looking to snag a last-minute Valentine, or simply to impress your honey with a mouthwatering meal.
Pizza French Toast
Put extra hot dog buns or long rolls to use by making pizza French toast. Cut the buns into slices and put pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni between two. Coat the mini sandwiches in the egg mixture like you would for regular French toast, pan fry and serve with pizza sauce. Talk about a savory breakfast!
Originally Published: July 31, 2023
