Spicy Italian Sub Recipe

Looking for a delicious and spicy sandwich? Our Homemade Spicy Italian Sub recipe is packed with bold flavors! Featuring savory meats like salami, pepperoni, and capicola, paired with provolone cheese and zesty toppings, this sub offers the perfect balance of heat and richness. Perfect for lunch or dinner, it’s sure to satisfy your cravings for something bold and flavorful.

Ingredients Of  Spicy Italian Sub Recipe

Creating a delicious Spicy Italian Sub involves a variety of flavorful ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need

Olive Oil 1/4 Cup

Olive oil adds a rich, smooth texture to the Spicy Italian Sub, enhancing its flavor with a mild fruity taste. It helps balance the spices and brings all the ingredients together with a touch of richness.

Red Wine Vinegar 2 Tbsp.

Red wine vinegar adds a tangy, acidic kick to the Spicy Italian Sub, balancing the richness of the meats and cheese. Its sharpness cuts through the flavors, providing a bright contrast to the spiciness.

Grated Parmesan Cheese 1 Tbsp.

Grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty, savory depth to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its salty, umami flavor enhances the sandwich’s richness, while its slightly granular texture provides a delightful contrast to the smooth ingredients.

Garlic 1 Clove

Garlic brings a bold, aromatic flavor to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its natural spiciness and depth of flavor enhance the meats and sauces, adding a savory, slightly pungent kick that complements the other ingredients perfectly.

Dried Oregano 1/2 Tsp.

Dried oregano adds an earthy, herbaceous flavor to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its slightly bitter and fragrant taste enhances the savory meats, providing an aromatic depth that complements the bold spices and tangy ingredients.

Kosher Salt 1/2 Tsp.

Kosher salt enhances the flavors of the Spicy Italian Sub with its coarse texture and mild, balanced saltiness. It helps bring out the natural taste of the ingredients, elevating the overall savory experience of the sandwich.

Ground Black Pepper 1/4 Tsp.

Black pepper adds a sharp, slightly spicy heat to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its pungent flavor enhances the savory meats and spices, providing a subtle kick that complements the richness of the sandwich without overpowering it.

 Italian Bread 1

Italian bread is soft, airy, and slightly chewy, providing the perfect base for a Spicy Italian Sub. Its slightly crisp crust and neutral flavor allow the bold meats and sauces to shine, while adding structure.

Mayonnaise 1/4 Cup

Mayonnaise adds a creamy, smooth texture to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its mild, slightly tangy flavor balances the heat and spices, enhancing the sandwich’s richness while providing a cooling contrast to the bold ingredients.

Salami 1/4 Lb.

Salami is a key ingredient in the Spicy Italian Sub, offering a rich, savory flavor with a slightly tangy and spicy kick. Its firm texture and aromatic spices complement the other meats and add depth.

Pepperoni 1/4 Lb.

Pepperoni adds a bold, smoky, and spicy flavor to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its slightly crispy edges and rich, savory taste pair perfectly with the other deli meats, enhancing the overall spiciness and texture.

Capicola Or Ham 1/4 Lb.

Capicola or ham adds a tender, slightly sweet and salty flavor to the Spicy Italian Sub. Capicola brings a bit of spice and richness, while ham adds a mild, savory depth, balancing the bold meats.

Mortadella Or Bologna 1/4 Lb.

Mortadella or bologna adds a smooth, mild, and slightly sweet flavor to the Spicy Italian Sub. Mortadella’s rich, fatty texture complements the spicier meats, while bologna offers a savory, slightly tangy balance to the sandwich.

Provolone Cheese 1/4 Lb.

Provolone cheese adds a smooth, creamy texture and a mild, slightly tangy flavor to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its subtle sharpness complements the savory meats, melting beautifully to enhance the overall richness of the sandwich.

Shredded Lettuce 3 Cups

Shredded lettuce adds a crisp, refreshing crunch to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its mild, slightly bitter flavor provides a light contrast to the rich meats and spicy sauces, balancing the sandwich’s boldness with freshness.

Medium Tomato 1

A medium tomato adds juiciness and a mild sweetness to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its fresh, tangy flavor balances the richness of the meats and cheeses, while providing a burst of freshness in every bite.

Red Onion 1/4 Cup

Red onion adds a sharp, slightly sweet flavor and crunchy texture to the Spicy Italian Sub. Its vibrant color and bold taste enhance the sandwich, offering a tangy contrast to the rich meats and creamy ingredients.

Black Olives 1/2 Cup

Black olives bring a briny, slightly bitter flavor to the Spicy Italian Sub. Their firm texture and savory taste complement the richness of the meats and add a Mediterranean flair, balancing the sandwich’s bold ingredients.

Pickled Banana Peppers 1/2 Cup

 Pickled banana peppers add a tangy, mildly spicy kick to the Spicy Italian Sub. Their crisp texture and zesty flavor provide a refreshing contrast to the rich meats and cheeses, enhancing the sandwich’s overall depth.

Essential Equipment For Spicy Italian Sub Recipe 

To make a perfect Spicy Italian Sub, you’ll need the following essential equipment:

1. Bread Knife: For cutting the sub roll without squashing it.
2. Cutting Board: To slice meats, veggies, and bread safely.
3. Meat Slicer or Sharp Knife: For thinly slicing the deli meats like salami and pepperoni.
4. Spreaders or Tongs: For evenly spreading condiments like mayo, mustard, or spicy sauces.
5. Sandwich Press (Optional): For a warm, toasted sub with crisp edges.

These tools ensure the sandwich is both delicious and easy to assemble!

How To Toast And Assemble The Perfect Spicy Italian Sub

• put the olive oil, vinegar, parmesan, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a jar with a tight-fitting cover. Give it a good shake to mix.

• Position the bread loaf perpendicular to you on a chopping board. Cut lengthwise through the middle of the loaf, nearly through, using a serrated knife. The loaf should be as easy to open as a book.

• Leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges, hollow off around 1 inch of the bread’s interior from the top and bottom of the loaf.  

• On the sliced side of the bottom half of the loaf, spread the mayonnaise. When necessary, fold or shingle the salami pieces to create a uniform layer. Continue with the provolone, mortadella (or bologna), capicola (or ham), and pepperoni.

• Add the banana peppers, tomato, red onion, olives, and shredded lettuce on top. About half of the dressing should be drizzled over the sandwich’s vegetables; keep the other half to serve alongside. Gently fold the upper portion of the bread over the vegetables.

• In the sandwich, arrange eight 6-inch skewers spaced approximately 1 1/2 inches apart. To portion, cut between the skewers using a sharp knife. Serve right away. 

What To Serve With A Spicy Italian Sub?

A Spicy Italian Sub pairs perfectly with a variety of sides that complement its bold flavors. Here are some great options:

1. Pickles: The tangy crunch of dill or bread-and-butter pickles balances the spiciness.
2. Chips: Crispy potato chips, kettle chips, or spicy jalapeño chips add texture and flavor.
3. Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the heat of the sub.
4. Fruit Salad: Fresh fruit like melons or citrus adds a sweet, refreshing touch to balance the savory flavors.
5. Sweet Potato Fries: These add a hearty, slightly sweet option that complements the spicy sandwich.

These sides not only enhance the overall meal but also provide refreshing contrasts to the heat of the Spicy Italian Sub.

Final Words

Bring the taste of Italy into your kitchen with this flavorful Homemade Spicy Italian Sub recipe. Whether you’re craving a quick lunch or a delicious dinner option, this sub is sure to satisfy your taste buds. With a perfect balance of spicy meats, zesty vegetables, and savory dressing, this recipe is a must-try for any sandwich lover. 

FAQs

What Makes an Italian Sub Spicy?

An Italian sub becomes spicy primarily from ingredients like spicy pepperoni, capicola, and hot giardiniera or banana peppers. These ingredients bring heat through their spices and pickling, while spicy sauces like sriracha mayo or hot mustard further elevate the sandwich’s fiery flavor profile.

Best Meats and Cheeses for a Spicy Italian Sub

The best meats for a Spicy Italian Sub include pepperoni, salami, capicola, and spicy ham for rich, bold flavors. For cheeses, provolone is ideal, offering a mild tang, while mozzarella adds creaminess. These combine perfectly with spicy condiments for a balanced, flavorful sub.

Spicy Sauce and Dressing Options for Italian Subs

For a Spicy Italian Sub, consider these flavorful sauce and dressing options:

1. Spicy Italian Dressing: A zesty blend of vinegar, olive oil, and red pepper flakes.
2. Sriracha Mayo: A creamy, spicy mix of mayo and sriracha sauce.
3. Buffalo Sauce: Bold and tangy, adding heat and flavor.
4. Hot Giardiniera: A tangy, spicy pickled vegetable mix.
5. Chipotle Sauce: Smoky and spicy, perfect for a deep kick.

These sauces enhance the sandwich’s flavors while adding an extra punch of spice.