Making a New York Style Italian Sub (aka hero or hoagie) doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s all about the ingredients: crispy, seedy Italian bread, layers upon layers of paper-thin capicola, salami, pepperoni and ham, vinegar-drenched shredded lettuce, fresh tomatoes, sliced onions, and cherry peppers. Plus some [not so] top-secret deli hacks to tie it all together. Bookmark this recipe – it’s a good one!
There is nothing quite like unfolding a parchment-wrapped Italian hero from a NY deli. Well except for maybe a New York pizza.
The heavenly smell hits you even before you take your first bite.
And when you finally do, the combination of flavors and textures come alive, beckoning you to continue eating, even long after you’re full.
As you take your last bite, wiping the oil from your lips, you ask yourself, “how do they do it?”
After working in NY delis for years, and having made (and eaten) hundreds of Italian heroes, I’m here to help demystify the many nuances of the beloved Italian Sub.
Although let’s be honest here, if we’re in the NY metro area, we’re calling it a hero!
Quality Cold Cuts
The type of cold cuts you use may vary. I prefer to use a few different types.
For this recipe, I used Boar’s Head boiled ham, imported capicola (the deli meat Tony Soprano lovingly referred to as “gabagool”), Genoa salami, and pepperoni.
All sliced ultra thin. You can also throw mortadella into the mix, though most places will use the first 4 I mentioned above.
I also used provolone cheese. Provolone is non-negotiable. You simply cannot use American, cheddar, muenster, or really any other type of cheese on a NY-style Italian sub.
The only cheese that might be an alternative is sliced mozzarella, and that is really a “break in case of emergency” type situation.
Let’s Talk Lettuce
Ok, so you may think lettuce is the least important ingredient in an Italian sub, and while it probably isn’t as important as the cold-cuts, you certainly can’t have an Italian sub without it.
But there are a few things you should consider doing with your lettuce.
First off, it needs to be iceberg lettuce. Romaine, arugula, and other green leafies are all wonderful, but they have no business being in an Italian hero.
The success of the Italian sub depends not just on the type of lettuce, but how you prepare it.
- Pro tip: You need to shred the iceberg for this sandwich. Then, you need to toss it in vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. I also like to add dried oregano to the mix. Toss the lettuce right before assembling the hero so that it doesn’t get soggy. I discovered this nugget of information years ago, and trust me – it is worth your while.
Best Condiments for an Italian Sub
In addition to the iceberg lettuce, any proper Italian hero or sub will also have onions, sliced paper thin.
- Pro tip: To take the bite out of your onions, soak them in water for a bit. This will help if you like your onions less pungent. Just be sure to dry them very well so they don’t add water to your sub. Most of the time I like my onions just fine without soaking in water.
You’ll also need tomatoes, sliced thin.
- Pro tip: When layering the ingredients, do not place the tomatoes next to the cheese. Both are very slippery and once combined, there is a chance that one or both ingredients will wind up sliding right off.
I love adding peppers to my Italian subs. I like heat, so I will typically use sliced cherry peppers or Cento’s hoagie spread as pictured below. Tuscan peppers can also add a nice kick.
If heat is not your thing, you can definitely add some roasted red peppers.
What Bread to use for an Italian Sub
If you order an Italian hero in a NY deli, you are going to get it on an Italian hero roll, which is a 12-inch oblong-shaped roll. It will either be seeded with sesame seeds or plain.
While these are the gold standard, they aren’t readily available in many parts of the country.
You could use a baguette, but I’m afraid it might be too crusty and dense. Another option is to buy a full loaf of Italian bread and use a portion of it for your sub.
Alternatively, you can also make the bread yourself. I will have a recipe up on how to make Italian bread very soon.
- Pro tip: After slicing your hero loaf, if there is too much bread, scoop some of it out so the meat can easily nestle within the cavity. This is common practice here in New York. Many customers will request the bread be scooped out. They have been asking for this long before carbs and gluten were a public concern. I think many people just want more meat on their sandwich!
How to make it
- Begin to prep your condiments, including slicing your onions, tomatoes and decide which cherry (vinegar) peppers you plan to use. Note: prepared hoagie spread is basically just chopped up cherry peppers and perfect for when you’re in a rush.
- Remove the seeds and stems from the whole cherry peppers and slice. If soaking your onions, now is a good time to do that.
- Mix your olive oil and vinegar in a shaker bottle. Shred your lettuce and season with oregano, salt, and pepper, to taste. Drizzle a bit of the oil and vinegar mixture onto the lettuce and give it a quick toss, reserving most of the vinegar mixture for the sandwich (see step 7).
- If needed, scoop the bread out to create a cavity within which the meat and other ingredients can nestle.
- Begin to layer the meat, starting with the thinly sliced ham.
- Pile on your salami, pepperoni, capicola (gabagool), and provolone.
- Add your condiments, including the lettuce/oil/vinegar mixture, cherry peppers, onions, and tomatoes, taking care to not layer the tomatoes on top of the cheese, unless you enjoy slippery ingredients. Add a healthy dose of the oil and vinegar to the bread to further dress the sub.
- To close the sandwich, lay your knife, length-wise, on top of the ingredients and press down. While applying pressure fold over the top layer of the bread to close it all together. If you want to make this really legit, wrap in parchment paper before slicing half-way. Eat immediately!
Why You Should Make this Italian Sub
A better question is why shouldn’t you make this?
- This is the iconic Italian hero that is found in every NY deli, and for good reason: it showcases each of the ingredients, is full of flavor, and beloved by many!
- It’s super easy to make for a weeknight dinner.
- It’s filling! And since it basically has a salad on top, you don’t really need to serve it with anything.
Other Amazing Sandwiches
Much like that kid in Bad Santa, I have a thing for sandwiches. Working in delis for many years, I’ve made many.
Some of my favorites I’ve already shared here on the blog. Others will eventually make their way here. There are more sandwiches on the YouTube channel. Here is a full Italian sandwich playlist.
What are your favorite sandwiches, and what would you like me to make here on the blog, or on the YouTube channel? Drop me a comment below and let me know!
If you’ve enjoyed this New York Italian hero recipe, or any recipe on this site, we want to know so give it a star rating and tell us in the comments below.
We would love to hear how you did and it’s nice to show others as well. Thanks!
Watch the video below where Jim will show you how to make this recipe with easy-to-follow instructions.
Some people learn by watching. If you’re that type of person, you can find most of our recipes on YouTube and our Facebook Page.
Italian Sub/hoagie/hero
Ingredients
- 1 large sub roll
- 1/10 pounds capicola thin sliced
- 1/10 pounds Genoa salami thin sliced
- 1/10 pound boiled ham thin sliced
- 1/10 pounds pepperoni thin sliced
- 1/5 pound provolone cheese
- 1 medium tomato sliced
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 4 medium cherry peppers destemmed, seeded, and sliced
- 1 1/4 cup iceberg lettuce shredded
- 4 ounces red wine vinegar
- 3 ounces olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Mix the oil and vinegar in a shaker bottle. Shred the lettuce and season with the oregano and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle a bit of the oil and vinegar (save most of it for the sandwich) onto the lettuce and set aside.
- Layer the meat, then the cheese onto 1 large hero (sub, hoagie) roll.
- Top with the seasoned lettuce, cherry peppers. Add as much sliced tomato and onion as you like.
- Soak the bread and meats with the oil and vinegar mix.
- Eat quickly so the sandwich doesn't become too soggy. Enjoy!
Notes
- Ingredient amounts are for one large (approximately 12" hero/sub/hoagie) roll.
- Just increase the ingredient amounts for the number of sandwiches you need.
- A typical New York style hero uses 1/3 to 1/2 pound of deli meat and a thin layer of cheese. Round deli sandwiches typically have a 1/4 pound of meat and one thin layer of cheese. Use these amounts as a general rule.
- Combining the oil and vinegar in a plastic squeeze bottle makes it easy to distribute just the right amount to each sandwich. Pass the bottle around to let individuals add as much oil and vinegar as they like.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This reminds of my go to subs from Trinacria and Luigi’s delis in Baltimore. I moved to Ireland a few months ago and this is one of the things I miss, along with anything blue crab ๐ Really enjoy your YouTube channel!
We’re so happy you enjoyed this recipe and the YouTube, Brendan. Thanks for the comment!
When I was working in NYC, I use to go to this place that did their Italian subs with anchovies. Anchovies brought it up a notch. Give it a try….
Where is your recipe for italian bread?
Hi Lisa, we don’t have an Italian bread recipe up yet. Hopefully soon.
I love your subs and it brings back a lot of memories. But I can’t find the
Italian bread with the elbows ends .they make french bread and pass it off as Italian. Im really not such a good cook but I am going to attempt to make my own if I had a good easy one to follow.
Great recipe. I always like your videos, no BS just good information. Thank you.
I added some prosciutto di Parma and Mortadella to it and the flavor of the sub is outstanding- great recipe!!
How do you make peppers in olive oil? We’re Slovak, but my mom used to make them. So good. I haven’t been in my e-mail for years, soif you post there I’ll never see it! lol
Hi Vicky, here’s a recipe for fried peppers in olive oil. Hope you enjoy! https://www.sipandfeast.com/italian-fried-peppers/
Pickles and banana peppers are a must. And mustard. You’ve left out layers of flavor that to me is the entire point of an Italian sandwich
This is a great and delicious sub but i put a little mayo on mine, haters gonna hate hate hate hate! lol. Just kidding. This really is an authentic Italian sub, BUT I WANT MAYO ON MINE!! ๐คฃ๐คฃ๐คฃ. Thank you for great tasting sub recipe.
Agree 100% percent with your recipe. I’m a Jersey native living north where Deli’s just arent a thing. I’ve started making Italian subs that I cut into small segments for Christmas day…it’s been such a hit that other tri-state natives have asked for the recipe. I didnt feel like re-inventing the wheel, so I searched for a good online recipe to throw their way, and this is the only one I found that I agree is a authentic recipe. I saw recipes that had false meats listed, or…..heaven forbid, MAYO on the sandwich!! Dont get me wrong, I love some Hellman’s on a rare roast beef sandwich….but on a Italian?!? My inner Jersey girl has some choice words for that decision…but I am reformed now.
Anyway, thank you for posting a perfect Italian for others to make at home! And the oregano is a MUST…
Hi Kate, we’re so happy you agree with the recipe! Thanks for the comment!
Picante provolone if you can find it.
I wanted Italian, delicious, and authenticity. I’m in MI and have been to Italian delis for subs a couple times but most are from chain restaurants, sadly.
I made this for lunch today following the recipe exactly and I’m not kidding when I tell you I took a bite and with my mouth full exclaimed, “OH MY GOSH!”
This is the best Italian sub I’ve ever had. Thank you for this amazing recipe.
Hi KH, we’re so happy you loved the sub! Thank you so much for the comment, we really appreciate it!
True Italian hoagie yummy test.
Hi Indira, thanks for the comment and we’re so happy you enjoyed it!
The family needed a fitting meal before heading to Wrigley Field to see Bruce Springsteen. This was it! A prefect nod to my NJ childhood and a pre-Bruce toast! I hollowed out one large Italian sesame seed loaf and then cut into 8ths. It was perfect. Thank you. I’ll be back!
Hi MB, thanks for the comment and great to hear you enjoyed the hero before a Springsteen concert! Thanks for sharing!
Jim i watched a few of your videos and have enjoyed them all. The quality is great and your techniques are spot on! I grew up cooking with my father and grandparents from Ferentino. I’m pleased you are sharing the right way to cook!!
Hi Matthew, thanks for the comment and so happy you’re enjoying the recipes and videos!