Sub in a Tub Salad Recipe

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This sub in a tub recipe is a great high-protein lunch option loaded with chopped cold cuts, sliced cheeses, fresh chopped vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. A simple, tasty, no-cook recipe that you can make in minutes!

The sub in a tub is a fun twist on the classic sub sandwich – the ingredients are chopped and served with no bread. It’s a great meal prep recipe and perfect to enjoy for a week’s worth of lunches or dinners.

Want more modern lunch recipes? Try our Mediterranean pasta salad recipe, meal prep cottage cheese bowls with beef, and our favorite copycat Thai crunch salad recipe.

sub in a tub recipe copycat with pickles, lettuce, ham, turkey, and provolone cheese

Table of Contents

I love easy and high protein lunch recipes, and this great sub in a tub recipe makes a fantastic meal! This recipe is copycat of a Jersey Mike’s menu item that we love so much, we regularly make it at home.

Start by chopping your lettuce, cold cuts, cheeses, and vegetables, then toss with a tangy Italian vinaigrette dressing. And it’s great for meal prepping or making ahead – just prep the recipe and store the dressing separately until you’re ready to eat!

Why This Sub Salad Recipe Works

This sub in a tub is a fantastic copycat recipe!
It’s hearty, light, refreshing, and really delicious.
A versatile lunch, you can add in your favorite cold cuts to make this sandwich yours!
It’s a no cook salad that you can make in minutes.
It’s high protein – with 36g protein per salad.
Cooks of any skill level can successfully make this dish, just follow our step-by-step photos and directions below.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Be sure to visit the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts and recipe instructions!

The base of this sub sandwich salad recipe is chopped cold cut meats: we used sliced turkey, salami, and honey ham for a nice variety. I also used sliced provolone cheese.

The vegetables in this salad are sliced iceberg lettuce, finely shredded. I also used sliced dill pickle chips and banana pepper rings for added flavor.

You can make your own Italian vinaigrette, or use your favorite store-bought dressing!

Additions and Substitutions

Want to swap meats? Try other cold cuts that you love: different types of ham, smoked turkey, sliced bologna, prosciutto, or sliced chicken instead.

And use any cheeses you prefer – Swiss, cheddar, sliced American are all great choices.

Feel free to add in other sandwich favorites: sliced tomatoes, chopped olives, artichoke hearts, sliced onions, or hot peppers.

How To Make This Recipe

chopped lettuce shredded for sub sandwich salad recipe at home copycat recipes

Step 1: Chop lettuce finely, and place into a large mxiing bowl.

chopped cold cuts and cheese for lunch meat salad copycat recipe

Step 2: Next, chop the ham, turkey, salami, and the provolone cheese.

submarine sandwich salad recipe sub in a tub copycat recipe

Step 3: Place the meats and cheeses over the lettuce.

sub sandwich salad with lunch meat and cheeses recipe

Step 4: Finally, top with pickles, banana pepper slices, and dressing. Serve cold and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What is a sub in a tub?

A ‘sub in a tub’ is a sandwich-style chopped salad that is made with all the fillings of a deli sub. It has things like meats, cheese, lettuce, and toppings. It’s served in a bowl instead of on bread, making it a great salad!

Is the sub in a tub low in carbs?

Yes, it can be! Since this recipe skips the bread, a sub in a tub can naturally be low in carbohydrates depending on the meats and ingredients you use. It can work well for keto or lower carb diets.

What’s the best dressing for a sub in a tub salad?

Italian dressing is the most common choice for this salad, but any vinaigrette, oil and vinegar, ranch, or a light mayo-based dressing would also work well.

Expert Tips

When chopping the lunch meats, make them roughly the same size. You want the pieces small enough to be bite-sized and consistent throughout the salad.
Finishing the salad with a little salt or pepper is a great addition!
If making this recipe ahead of time, chop the meats and cheeses, along with the vegetables, and toss them with the dressing right before serving.

sub sandwich in a tub recipe jersey mikes copycat recipe

More Easy Lunch Ideas

If you made this recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

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Sub in a Tub Recipe

By:

Kelly Jensen

This sub in a tub recipe is a great high-protein lunch option loaded with chopped cold cuts, sliced cheeses, fresh chopped vegetables, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. A simple, tasty, no-cook recipe that you can make in minutes!

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Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 0

Total Time 15

Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings salads

Calories 493 kcal

Equipment

Large Serving Bowl
Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

8 cups chopped lettuce I used 2 large heads of Romaine
8 ounces deli turkey sliced
8 ounces deli ham sliced
4 ounces salami sliced
4 ounces provolone cheese sliced or cubed
1/2 cup dill pickle chips
1/2 cup banana pepper rings
½ cup Italian dressing

Instructions

Chop lettuce finely, and place into a large mxiing bowl.
Next, chop the ham, turkey, salami, and the provolone cheese.
Place the meats and cheeses over the lettuce.
Finally, top with pickles, banana pepper slices, and dressing. Serve cold and enjoy!

Notes

Additions and Substitutions