A classic chef salad should be in every recipe box!
Fresh veggies, ham, turkey, eggs, and cheese are served over lettuce and served with a ranch or Thousand Island dressing.
You’ll Crave This Chef Salad Recipe Because…
- It’s light, crisp, and refreshing for an easy and elegant salad.
- This salad is a great way to clean out the fridge and use up the vegetables you have on hand.
- Filled with fresh ingredients, it’s just right for light summer dinners at home.
- This is a classic Chef salad recipe with protein, fiber, dairy, and veggies; it’s a main meal salad.
Chef Salad Ingredients
Lettuce: Iceberg lettuce is the base of this recipe. Romaine or bibb lettuce also are great in this recipe.
Protein: Use both turkey and ham slices for this recipe. You can also use leftover grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon, or a handful of bacon crumbles for extra flavor.
Cheese: Sliced or shredded cheddar cheese is my favorite in Chefs salad. You can also use Swiss, provolone, or feta cheese.
Veggies: Classic Chef’s salad ingredients like cherry tomatoes, red onions, and cucumbers add crunch and flavor to this recipe.
Dressing: I prefer a creamy dressing with chef’s salad such as Thousand Island or Ranch, but you can also use Italian dressing.
Dressings for Chef Salad
Variations
- Top with homemade croutons, or toasted nuts like sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- Add chopped kale, spinach, or a bag of shredded cabbage.
- Mix in other veggies like shredded carrots, avocado, black or kalamata olives, or pepperoncini peppers.
- Pickled red onions, green beans, or asparagus will add a tangy flavor.
How to Make a Chef Salad
Make this classic chef salad as a hearty lunch or light dinner.
- Tear the lettuce and add it to a large salad bowl (recipe below).
- Top with the remaining ingredients.
- Dress with your choice of salad dressings and serve.
Holly’s Favorite Tips & Tricks
- Homemade dressing is really easy to make, and the taste is much better.
- The best, bistro-worthy chef salads are served extra cold! Chill the serving bowl, the ingredients, and the dressing.
- You can toss this salad, but I prefer the presentation when it’s not tossed.
- This salad is best enjoyed the same day as making it, but leftovers (without the dressing) can be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- When ready to serve, add new greens and veggies for crunch. Drizzle with fresh dressing before serving.
The Best Summer Salads
These delicious recipes turn a side salad into a full meal deal!
Did you enjoy this Chef Salad Recipe? If so, leave a comment and a rating below.
Chef Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 cups iceberg lettuce Romaine, or Boston bibb
- 4 ounces sliced ham
- 4 ounces deli sliced turkey diced
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese or Swiss cheese, cubed ½-inch
- 4 hard boiled eggs chilled
- ¼ red onion thinly sliced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup sliced cucumber
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish, optional
- ranch dressing or thousand island dressing
Instructions
- Wash the lettuce and spin it in a salad spinner to dry. Tear into bite-sized pieces.
- Slice the ham and turkey into ½-inch strips.
- Place the lettuce in a large bowl (or divide over 4 individual serving plates).
- Arrange the ham, turkey, cheese, eggs, red onion, tomatoes, and cucumber over the salad. Garnish with a little bit of parsley if desired.
- Serve with Thousand Island or Ranch dressing.
Notes
- Ingredients can be prepared and stored in the fridge for up 3 days before serving.
- Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad
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My husband needs healthy foods
every day. It’s hard to cook for 2,
especially since I am a spure of the moment eater. He’s a sit at the table guy, I hate the cooking and the cleanup. Help me please!!
Kathy, you may be interested in checking out the healthy recipes section on Spend With Pennies as well my Easy Low Carb website!