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    Home » Salad » Chef's Salad

    Published: May 28, 2019 · Modified: Jun 8, 2020 by Lisa Johnson

    Chef's Salad

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    Summer is almost here and no one wants to turn on the oven! This hearty and satisfying Chef's Salad is the perfect warm weather meal that makes use of your leftovers, or simply grab some high quality meats at the deli counter. Either way, your family will love this salad!!

    A blue and white striped napkin holds a plate covered with lettuce, cheese, hard boiled egg wedges, cherry tomatoes and assorted meats cut into strips to create the perfect Chef's Salad

    What is a Chef's Salad?

    A Chef's Salad (or Chef 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. How it was created and by whom are still a mystery, and everyone has their own take on it.

    How to make a Chef's Salad:

    Start with a selection of chopped lettuce, I used Romaine and Butter Lettuces.

    A white spinner basket filled with chopped lettuce leaves sitting on a wood cutting board

    Place the washed lettuces and 1/2 cup of dressing in a large bowl. Toss to combine.

    Divide the lettuce among 4 large serving plates/bowls.

    Arrange the strips cheeses and meats, egg wedges, and avocado, like the spokes of a wheel, on top of each salad.

    Scatter the cherry tomato halves, cucumber slices and Parmesan crisps/croutons over the top of the salads.

    A plate of Chef's Salad sitting on a blue and white striped napkin with a bottle of dressing in the background

    Season with black pepper and serve with additional dressing. Or, you can toss all the toppings haphazardly across the lettuce and call it good. I could not create a spoke pattern to save my life!!

    Notes:

    • Ham, beef and chicken/turkey are traditionally used but feel free to get creative.
    • I used a combination of Gruyere and White Cheddar cheeses because that is what I had on hand. Swiss and orange Cheddar would be traditional.
    • I used Parmesan crisps instead of the traditional croutons.
    • Chef's Salad is traditionally served with Homemade French Dressing, but any dressing will work.

    more delicious salad recipes:

    • Classic Caesar Salad
    • Asian Beef Salad
    • Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad
    • Clean Cobb Salad
    • BBQ Chicken Salad

    Delicious Salad Dressing Recipes:

    • Sweet Onion and Citrus Dressing
    • Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
    • Whole 30 Ranch Dressing
    • Citrus Vinaigrette
    • Hot Bacon Dressing

    Enjoy!!

    A plate of Chef's Salad sitting on a blue and white striped napkin with a bottle of dressing in the background

    Chef's Salad

    No one will leave the table hungry when they are served this hearty, Chef's Salad. It is perfect for lunch or dinner and the whole family will love it.
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: lettuce, recipe, tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, ham, chicken, cheese, healthy
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 4 Servings
    Calories: 738kcal
    Author: Lisa Johnson

    Ingredients

    • 8 cups Romaine and Boston lettuce chopped or torn into bite-sized pieces.
    • 1 cup French dressing divided - or dressing of your choice
    • ½ cup ham cut into julienne strips
    • ½ cup beef roast beef or steak - cut into julienne strips
    • ½ cup chicken cut into julienne strips
    • ½ cup Swiss cheese or Gruyere - cut into julienne strips
    • ½ cup cheddar cheese cut into julienne strips
    • 2 hard boiled eggs cut into wedges
    • ½ cup English cucumber thinly sliced
    • 1 avocado diced or sliced
    • 16 cherry tomatoes cut in half
    • ¼ cup black olives optional
    • ½ cup Parmesan crisps optional - substitute croutons if desired
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    Instructions

    • Start with a selection of chopped lettuce, I used Romaine and Butter Lettuces.

      Place the washed lettuces and 1/2 cup of dressing in a large bowl. Toss to combine.

    • Divide the lettuce among 4 large serving plates/bowls.

    • Arrange the strips cheeses and meats, egg wedges, and avocado, like the spokes of a wheel, on top of each salad.

    • Scatter the cherry tomato halves, cucumber slices and Parmesan crisps/croutons over the top of the salads.

    • Season with black pepper and serve with additional dressing. Or, you can toss all the toppings haphazardly across the lettuce and call it good.

    Notes

    • Ham, beef and chicken/turkey are traditionally used but feel free to get creative.
    • I used a combination of Gruyere and White Cheddar cheeses because that is what I had on hand. Swiss and orange Cheddar would be traditional. (omit for Whole30)
    • I used Parmesan crisps instead of the traditional croutons.
    • Chef’s Salad is traditionally served with French Dressing (recipe coming soon), but any dressing will work.
    • This Chef's Salad is 16 net carbs calculated with traditional French dressing. My sugar-free French Dressing has 1 carb.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 738kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 61g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 167mg | Sodium: 1240mg | Potassium: 895mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 9420IU | Vitamin C: 26.9mg | Calcium: 429mg | Iron: 3.4mg
    « Instant Pot Ham Bone and Potato Soup
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    Hi, I'm Lisa - Welcome to my kitchen! I have a passion for good food and love sharing my creations with friends, family and everyone that loves a homecooked meal. This is where I share my favorite recipes with step-by-step instructions as well as tips and tricks to help you make these delicious recipes in your home.

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