Little King Salad (Hoagie Salad) + Video
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Little King Salad
Here in Nebraska, before there were Subway Sandwiches, or Blimpie or Jimmy John’s, here where I grew up, we had Little King Deli. If you wanted a deli-style hoagie sandwich, this is where you went.
Their signature sandwich, the number 11 on the menu, is called “The Royal Treat“, and my friends, that is what it is! Make sure to order it “Little King Style” to get the full effect, which means you will get your sandwich served with lettuce, tomato, onion, oil, vinegar, salt & oregano
Now when I can’t make it to the deli for a sandwich, I have another option: My Little King Salad. It’s like their lip-smackin’ sandwich, in a bowl!
Little King Salad + Little King Salad Dressing Recipe
We eat this salad year-round. It’s a simple weeknight meal, but also is a huge hit at our tailgates! Cool crisp iceberg lettuce, red ripe Roma tomatoes, Provolone cheese, spicy deli meats, Italian bread, and a dressing made of tarragon vinegar, olive oil, and oregano.
Hoagie Salad Recipe
As I mentioned, this recipe is like eating a traditional hoagie sandwich in a bowl, all tossed together. Want to make it Keto? Easy! Jeave out the bread.
WHERE DID THE NAME HOAGIE COME FROM?
The name “hoagie” likely comes from the Philadelphia area where, during World War I, Italian immigrants who worked at the Hog Island shipyard began making sandwiches. These tasty sandwiches were originally called “hoggies” before the name hoagie took hold.
DO YOU PUT MAYO ON A HOAGIE?
Traditionally, no. Hoagie purists say that mayonnaise has no place on a hoagie. They prefer oil and vinegar over any other condiment.
GRINDER VS. HOAGIE – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
A grinder is a hoagie that is heated after assembly, irregardless of if the filling is made up of traditionally hot ingredients or not. If you have seen that viral TikTok Grinder sub and salad then you know how incredibly tasty a salad inspired by a sandwich can be!
INGREDIENTS IN LITTLE KING SALAD
This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients that you may already have in the refrigerator or pantry! To read the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
For The Salad:
- Iceberg Lettuce: Used as a base for the salad and adds a mild flavor and firm, crunchy texture.
- Sliced Deli Ham, Deli Turkey, Hard Salami and Pepperoni: Taking note from traditional hoagies, these meats are filling and add a great amount of flavor to the salad.
- Red Onion: Enhances the dish with a sharp, crunchy bit of heat.
- Roma Tomatoes: These chewy bursts of flavor are halved lengthwise and sliced.
- Provolone Cheese: If preferred, you can substitute chopped Swiss cheese instead of chopped Provolone.
- Italian Hard Rolls: These bread rolls are torn into pieces and then tossed in the salad to add a soft, chewy texture.
For the Little King Dressing:
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is one of the go-to salad toppings, both on its own and as an ingredient in a dressing.
- Tarragon Vinegar: Compliments and combines the flavors of the salad ingredients while also creating a base for the salad dressing.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Added to taste. Elevates the dressing.
- Dried Oregano: Adds a subtle earthy flavor with a hint of mint to the dish.
- Garlic Powder: Used to give a touch of subtle garlicky flavor to the wet ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE LITTLE KING SALAD/HOAGIE SUB SALAD
My recipe for homemade Italian Hoagie Salad is so incredibly easy to prepare! To see even more detailed steps, please scroll down to the recipe card.
CHOP
ADD
DRESSING
REFRIGERATE
Keep everything in the fridge until you are ready to serve the salad.
TOSS
SERVE
LOVE IT? PIN IT!
Don’t forget where you found this flavorful salad! Pin it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest before you go!
I CAN’T FIND TARRAGON VINEGAR – NOW WHAT?
MORE RECIPES TO ENJOY
- Toasted Italian Sub Sandwiches (pictured above)
- Greek Style Cucumber Salad
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Chicken Ala King Baked Potatoes
- Chicken Ala King
There is No Place Like Nebraska
I am a Nebraska girl, born and raised. I love my home state, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
Over the years I have been featured in two magazines, Nebraska Life and Omaha Magazine. It was so amazing to be recognized by them!
LIKE THIS RECIPE?
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leave a comment below the recipe!
Little King Salad - It's like a Hoagie in a Bowl!
Equipment
Ingredients
- FOR THE LITTLE KING SALAD:
- 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped
- 1/4 pound sliced deli ham chopped
- 1/4 pound sliced deli turkey chopped
- 1/4 pound sliced hard salami chopped
- 1/4 pound sliced pepperoni chopped
- 1 small red onion sliced
- 2- 3 Roma tomatoes halved lengthwise and sliced
- 1 cup provolone cheese chopped (can sub Swiss)
- 4 Italian Hard Rolls torn into pieces
- FOR THE LITTLE KING SALAD DRESSING:
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup tarragon vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Chop deli meat and cheese. Slice tomatoes and chop lettuce.
- Add lettuce to a large bowl. Top with meats and cheeses, onions, and tomatoes. Combine the dressing ingredients well.
- Keep everything in the fridge until you are ready to serve the salad.
- Right before you serve the salad, toss the salad with the dressing. Add in the torn Italian hard rolls. Toss again and serve immediately.
Notes
- Romaine lettuce can be subbed, or use half iceberg half Romaine lettuce.
- I have the deli slice the meat a little thicker. You can use shaved deli meat, but it's prettier if you have it a bit thicker and are able to chop it or Julianne cut it for the salad. I sometimes like to cut the meats in different ways just to make it look pretty, but it's not necessary.
- If you plan to have leftover salad, add the bread to each individual serving, it will get soggy when it sits for a while.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. Consume within two days.
Nutrition
Looks yummy! I think we will be having this for dinner soon (especially if this heat continues!)
One of my favorite recipes!
Glad to found you at the ‘Church super’ at ‘Everyday mom’s meals’.This salad looks so yummy!!!
That is my kind of salad. Looks delicious. Come over and visit us. We have a wonderful grilled fruit recipe.
Oh my, does that look delicious! I love salad. Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Have a blessed week and see you again next Sunday!
Everyday Mom’s Meals
Sounds and looks fantastic.
Oh my goodness! This is my kind of salad. All those delicious meats and that dressing sound amazing.
What a gorgeous salad… packed with lovely fresh flavours and textures, and the torn bread turns it into a meal in itself.
This salad is so flavorful and I love the addition of the Italian rolls. The dressing was perfect too. Great recipe!
I absolutely love salads that can be eaten as meals, so yeah. THAT’S gonna happen! This looks so so good. Love everything about it. I think even my kiddo will indulge in this one!
I can see why everyone loves this salad and why it’s done so well for so long on your site! It sounds and looks incredible and I KNOW my family is going to love it.
I am a huge fan of deconstructed foods and never thought about doing it for salad what a brilliant idea!
This salad is like my favorite sandwich cut up into the best lunch! And that dressing is incredible!
Such an amazing salad!! I love that it is so easy to make, too!