Classic Chef Salad Recipe (2024)

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This classic Chef Salad is made with toppings like hard boiled eggs, sliced deli meat, and cubed cheddar cheese tossed in creamy ranch dressing.

Classic Chef Salad Recipe (1)

About This Recipe

This is a classic Chef Salad recipe, which is made with a mix of toppings like deli meat, cheese, hardboiled eggs and chopped vegetables.

Though the history of this classic salad isn't known for certain, it's believed to date back as early as 1926 and owes much of it's popularity to being served by Chef Lois Diat at the Ritz Carlton in New York City.

Today, the hallmarks of a Chef Salad are the eggs and meat, which are in almost every version of this recipe. The other toppings change from variation to variation.

This salad has been eaten for about a century, and for good reason! It's absolutely delicious and versatile enough to mix and match your favorite toppings.

Chef Salad Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this recipe. The full recipe and list of ingredients can be found at the bottom of the page.

  • Romaine lettuce
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Cucumber
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Ham
  • Turkey
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Ranch dressing
Classic Chef Salad Recipe (2)

How to Make Chef Salad

Some classic Chef Salads are served with the toppings arranged in lines or patterns, though this isn't necessary (just a way to make it look fancier)!

To make Chef Salad, all you need to do is add your ingredients to a large bowl and toss with your dressing. Toss until each bite of the salad is coated in the dressing.

Completely optional, but I also like to add a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper over the salad before serving it. I recommend doing this with most salads as it's a simple way to step up the texture and flavor.

Ingredient Notes

Romaine: This is the classic choice for a Chef Salad, but you can swap it out for other varieties of lettuce (for example iceberg lettuce) or spinach.

Tomatoes: Any type of tomato can be used. Slice cherry or grape tomatoes in half, or use larger tomatoes and dice them.

Meat: Chef Salad is made with sliced deli meat. Pick your favorite two types and use one cup of each: sliced turkey breast, ham, chicken, or roast beef. Chopped crispy bacon is another alternative.

Cheese: Feel free to switch up the cheese that you add to your salad. Cheddar and Swiss cheese are popular options, but you could also try provolone or mozzarella.

Avocado: If you're a fan of avocados, they make a great addition to this salad. Dice one avocado and mix it into your salad with the rest of the toppings.

About The Dressing

This Chef Salad recipe is paired with a classic ranch dressing. The creamy, herby flavor of ranch is the perfect complement to the fresh, crispy vegetables in the salad.

Dressing Options

This salad is most commonly served with Ranch Dressing or Thousand Island Dressing.

Some other ideas for salad dressing that would be tasty include:

  • Red Wine Vinaigrette
  • Italian or French Dressing
  • Blue Cheese Dressing
  • Greek Yogurt Homemade Ranch Dressing
Classic Chef Salad Recipe (3)

Frequently Asked Questions

What dressing should be used with Chef Salad?

Chef Salad is most commonly served with Ranch Dressing or Thousand Island Dressing.

Should a Chef Salad be tossed?

This is up to personal preference, but typically Chef Salad is tossed before serving.

What is the difference between a Chef Salad and a Cobb Salad?

A Classic Cobb salad is topped with different ingredients like blue cheese, bacon, avocado and chicken breast. Both salads are served with hard boiled eggs and are often pictured with their toppings arranged in lines.

Similar Recipes

  • Cobb Salad
  • BLT Salad
  • Grinder Salad

If you make this recipe, be sure to leave a comment & rating at the bottom of this page!

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Classic Chef Salad Recipe (4)

Chef Salad

  • Author: Megan
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This classic Chef Salad is made with toppings like hard boiled eggs, sliced deli meat, and cubed cheddar cheese tossed in creamy ranch dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
  • 4 hard boiled eggs, quartered
  • 1 cup sliced cucumber
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup sliced ham
  • 1 cup sliced turkey (or chicken)
  • 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Add the lettuce and toppings to a large salad bowl.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, stir together the dressing ingredients.
  3. Drizzle the dressing on top of the salad and toss until mixed.
  4. Optionally, sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper before serving.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: ¼th of recipe
  • Calories: 492
  • Sugar: 6.8g
  • Sodium: 878mg
  • Fat: 35.9g
  • Saturated Fat: 9.2g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.7g
  • Fiber: 1.9g
  • Protein: 28.3g
  • Cholesterol: 430mg

Keywords: salad, chef, chefs, turkey, ham, chicken, eggs, hardboiled eggs, lunch, dinner, easy, simple, healthy, ranch, ranch dressing, chopped, classic, traditional, spring, summer, romaine, lettuce, green, cheddar, cheese, large, family, holiday, easter, spring, side

Nutrition disclaimer: nutrition information is an estimate to the best of our availability; please note that nutrition information will vary based on the exact products and quantities used.

Classic Chef Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are the ingredients for a chef salad? ›

Chef Salad Ingredients

Lettuce, Hard Boiled Eggs, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Cheddar, Swiss, Ham, Turkey, Croutons, and typically creamy Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing. You can also serve this with my Honey Mustard or Caesar dressing and homemade croutons with this too!

Where did classic chef salad originate? ›

Though the history of this classic salad isn't known for certain, it's believed to date back as early as 1926 and owes much of it's popularity to being served by Chef Lois Diat at the Ritz Carlton in New York City.

What's the difference between a cobb salad and a chef salad? ›

A cobb salad is typically made with chopped green, tomatoes, bacon, chicken, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, blue cheese and a vinaigrette dressing. A chef salad is a more generic salad made with more generic salad ingredients such as cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, then meats such as ham, bacon and cheddar cheese.

Is a chef salad healthy? ›

So there you have it – chef salad is definitely a healthy choice! However, it's important to keep in mind that the nutritional content of your salad depends on the ingredients you choose. To make your chef salad as healthy as possible, opt for lean meats, plenty of veggies, and a dressing that's low in fat and sugar.

What type of salad is a chef's salad? ›

Chef salad (or chef's salad) is an American salad consisting of hard-boiled eggs, one or more varieties of meat (such as ham, turkey, chicken, or roast beef), tomatoes, cucumbers, and cheese, all placed upon a bed of tossed lettuce or other leaf vegetables.

What are the 5 components of a salad? ›

There are five elements to a perfect salad: greens, sweetness, creaminess, crunchiness, and dressing. Let's talk about each one.

What is another name for a chef salad? ›

Yeah, we know, every restaurant has a chef salad, but they ain't got our chef.” Many other restaurants tweaked the recipe and called it another name such as the Brown Derby adding chives and calling it the Beverly Salad Bowl.

Is chef salad a main course salad? ›

This main-course salad combines a variety of vegetables with cheese, egg and protein-rich meat, which in this case is ham.

What are the five basic salad types? ›

The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination. The five basic salads that can be served throughout the course of a meal are starter, accompaniment, main course, intermezzo, and dessert.

What is the most popular salad in America? ›

What Is the Most Popular Salad Served in the U.S.?
  • Spinach Salad. ...
  • Potato Salad. ...
  • Caprese Salad. ...
  • Cobb Salad. ...
  • Waldorf Salad. ...
  • Fruit Salad. ...
  • Chef Salad. ...
  • Garden Salad. A common American salad consisting of leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach, or arugula, mixed with assorted raw vegetables like tomatoes and cucumbers.

What is the traditional dressing for Cobb salad? ›

Red wine vinaigrette is the traditional Cobb salad dressing; but you could also use any other light vinaigrette or opt for a creamier alternative like ranch or Blue cheese.

What is Waldorf salad made of? ›

A Waldorf salad is a fruit and nut salad generally made of celery, fresh apples, walnuts, and grapes, dressed in mayonnaise, and traditionally served on a bed of lettuce as an appetizer or a light meal. The apples, celery, and grapes can all be green, which harmonizes the color palette of the dish.

What is the healthiest salad to eat? ›

When it comes to leafy greens, darker is better. They have the most nutrients. Case in point: Kale and spinach have over 10 times more immune-boosting vitamins A and C than iceberg lettuce.

Is it OK to eat salad every day? ›

While salads can be a healthy addition to a diet—even daily—it is possible to eat too much of it. "Excessive bloating may mean that you are having too many raw foods in your diet, which can be common to find in a salad," Redfield explains.

What cheese is healthy for salad? ›

Here are some popular options: For Salads: Feta cheese - this crumbly and tangy cheese is commonly used in Greek salads and pairs well with vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives. Goat cheese - this creamy and tangy cheese is often used in salads with fresh greens, fruit, and nuts.

What are the four 4 components of salad? ›

The basic parts of a salad are the base, the body, the garnish, and the dressing. The five basic types of salad are green salads (tossed or composed), bound, vegetable, fruit, and combination.

What is the difference between a tossed salad and a chef salad? ›

Chef Salad: What Sets It Apart? On the other hand, when debating on tossed salad vs chef salad, the latter refers to an American garden salad tightly curated by a chef. The ingredients are meticulously picked and combined to create a specific taste.

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