Italian Subs Recipe

Sub rolls: Soft, long rolls that form the base of the sandwich.

Provolone cheese: A semi-hard cheese with a mild, slightly tangy flavor.

Salami: A type of cured sausage that adds a savory, slightly spicy flavor.

Ham: Thinly sliced, cooked pork that adds a mild, salty taste.

Lettuce: Shredded for a fresh, crunchy texture.

Tomato: Sliced for a juicy, slightly sweet addition.

Onion: Thinly sliced for a sharp, pungent flavor.

Olives: Sliced for a salty, briny taste.

Pepperoncini: Sliced mild chili peppers that add a tangy, slightly spicy kick.

Olive oil: Used to drizzle over the veggies for added richness.

Red wine vinegar: Adds a tangy acidity to balance the flavors.

Dried oregano: A herb that adds a warm, slightly bitter flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the sandwich.

Pepper: Adds a mild heat and enhances the other flavors.

When slicing the onion, use a sharp knife to ensure thin, even slices. This not only enhances the texture of your Italian sub, but also helps to distribute the flavor more evenly throughout the sandwich.

• sub rolls - Substitute with whole wheat rolls: Whole wheat rolls provide more fiber and nutrients compared to regular sub rolls.

• provolone cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella has a similar mild flavor and melts well, making it a good alternative.

• salami - Substitute with turkey pepperoni: Turkey pepperoni is lower in fat and calories while still offering a similar spicy flavor.

• ham - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast is leaner and has less sodium compared to ham.

• lettuce - Substitute with spinach: Spinach is more nutrient-dense and provides additional vitamins and minerals.

• tomato - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers add a sweet and smoky flavor, offering a different but complementary taste.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, making them a good alternative to onions.

• olives - Substitute with capers: Capers provide a similar briny taste and can add a unique twist to the sandwich.

• pepperoncini - Substitute with banana peppers: Banana peppers have a similar tangy flavor and mild heat, making them a suitable replacement.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative.

• red wine vinegar - Substitute with balsamic vinegar: Balsamic vinegar adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor.

• dried oregano - Substitute with Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning contains oregano along with other herbs, providing a more complex flavor.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt has a more natural flavor and can be used in the same quantity.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar heat but a slightly different flavor profile, offering a subtle change.

• When storing your Italian subs, wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent the bread from drying out.
• Place the wrapped subs in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag to further protect them from air and moisture.
• Store the subs in the refrigerator if you plan to consume them within 24 hours. The lettuce and tomato may lose some crispness, but the flavors will meld beautifully.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the subs. Wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Label each wrapped sub with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen subs can be stored for up to one month.
• To thaw, transfer the frozen subs to the refrigerator and let them thaw overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture of the bread and veggies.
• If you prefer a warm sub, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the thawed sub, still wrapped in foil, on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is warmed through.
• Avoid microwaving the subs as it can make the bread soggy and the veggies limp.
• For the best taste and texture, add fresh lettuce and tomato after reheating, if possible. This will give your sub a fresh, crisp bite.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the Italian subs in aluminum foil to keep them moist. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the meats are warmed through.

• For a quicker method, use a microwave. Wrap the subs in a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even warming.

• If you prefer a crispy texture, use a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and place the subs directly on the rack. Heat for about 10 minutes, or until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted.

• For a stovetop method, use a skillet over medium heat. Place the subs in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even warming. This method helps maintain the crust of the bread while warming the ingredients inside.

• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the subs in the basket and heat for 5-7 minutes. This method will give you a crispy exterior while keeping the insides warm and delicious.

• Knife: essential for slicing the sub rolls, tomatoes, onions, olives, and pepperoncini.

• Cutting board: provides a safe and stable surface for cutting and slicing ingredients.

• Measuring cups: used to measure the exact amounts of lettuce, olives, and pepperoncini.

• Measuring spoons: necessary for measuring the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano.

• Mixing bowl: useful for tossing the shredded lettuce with a bit of olive oil and vinegar if desired.

• Tongs: handy for layering the meats and veggies onto the sub rolls.

• Spoon: helps to drizzle the olive oil and red wine vinegar evenly over the veggies.

• Plate: used to assemble the subs and serve them.

• Plastic wrap: ideal for wrapping the subs tightly if you plan to refrigerate them for later.

• Refrigerator: necessary for storing the subs if they are not being served immediately.

Pre-slice ingredients: Pre-slice lettuce, tomato, onion, olives, and pepperoncini in advance and store them in airtight containers.

Assemble in batches: Lay out all sub rolls and assemble multiple Italian subs at once to save time.

Use deli-sliced meats: Purchase pre-sliced salami and ham from the deli to avoid slicing at home.

Mix dressing ahead: Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano in a small jar for quick drizzling.

Wrap for freshness: Wrap each sub tightly in plastic wrap to keep them fresh and ready to grab.