Little King Salad (Hoagie Salad) (2024)

July 10, 2022March 1, 2024 Updated onMarch 1, 2024

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This Little King Salad is like a hoagie sandwich in a bowl! Full of sliced deli meats, cheese, onion, lettuce, tomatoes, and torn-up Italian bread, all covered in Little King’s very own salad dressing. This hearty salad is a family favorite and a filling meal that is sure to please.

I have had this Little King Salad Recipe on my website since 2011. I can tell you without hesitation that everyone that had ever eaten this salad, loves it. Yes, even the “I don’t like salads” people. Even people that don’t think that salads are filling, will love this salad.

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!

Want other delicious salads to try? Try my BLT Pasta Salad, or my Greek Style Cucumber Salad recipe!

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

Chop deli meat and cheese. Slice tomatoes and chop lettuce.

ADD

Add lettuce to a large bowl. Top with meats and cheeses, onions, and tomatoes.

DRESSING

Combine the dressing ingredients well.

REFRIGERATE

Keep everything in the fridge until you are ready to serve the salad.

TOSS

Right before you serve the salad, toss the salad with the dressing. Add in the torn Italian hard rolls.

SERVE

Toss again and serve immediately.

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?

Don’t fret! The best substitute for tarragon vinegar is white wine vinegar, which is one of the main ingredients used in making tarragon vinegar.

MORE RECIPES TO ENJOY

If you love this Little King Salad Recipe, you are sure to love these recipes, too!

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!

Want to check out Little King and read more about their history? Here is their website!

I am so hungry for this Little King Salad!! Let’s get to the recipe!

4.78 from 9 votes

Print Recipe

Little King Salad - It's like a Hoagie in a Bowl!

This salad is like a hoagie sandwich in a bowl! Full of sliced deli meats, cheese, onion, lettuce, tomatoes and bread, covered in Little King's very own dressing. It's a meal in itself!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Total Time5 minutes mins

Cuisine: American

Keyword: hoagie salad, hoagie salad dressing recipe, how to make little king salad, Italian Hoagie salad, Little King Salad, Little King Salad recipe

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 458kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

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

This recipe was originally posted on July 16, 2011. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on July 10, 2022.