Best 7 Chefs Salad Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our chef's salad recipes, meticulously curated to satisfy your culinary cravings. Embark on a delightful journey as we present three distinct variations of this classic dish, each offering a unique taste experience. From the crisp and refreshing Original Chef's Salad, bursting with vibrant vegetables and tangy dressing, to the hearty and protein-packed Cobb Salad, featuring succulent chicken and bacon, these recipes cater to diverse preferences. And for those seeking a lighter option, the Vegetarian Chef's Salad offers a delectable combination of fresh produce and flavorful dressing, promising a satisfying and guilt-free meal. Whichever recipe you choose, prepare to tantalize your taste buds and relish the perfect balance of flavors in every bite.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CHEF'S SALAD



Chef's Salad image

As a child growing up in England with an American mother, I had a surprise one day after school when I went home to my best friend's house for dinner. Her mother offered me a salad, which I expected to be like one of my mum's-lots of crunchy ingredients tossed together in a huge salad bowl and served with a delicious dressing. What I got was a single wedge of tomato, a lettuce leaf, a chunk of cucumber and some salad dressing poured over. It didn't quite have the wow factor of my mum's compositions. This salad, inspired by hers, is crisp, satisfying and the colors make it look as good as it tastes.

Provided by Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 pound 12 ounces (800 grams) baby potatoes, boiled in their skins, cooled and cut into bite-size pieces
7 ounces plant-based protein chicken fillets, cooked and thinly sliced
2 1/2 ounces (70 grams) watercress (about 2 handfuls)
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
6 sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced
3 heads Baby Gem lettuce, roughly chopped
2 handfuls pitted Nocellara or Castelvetrano olives, pitted and sliced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, grated
8 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Add the potatoes, plant-based chicken, watercress, peas, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, scallions and carrots to a large salad bowl.
  • Add the oil, vinegar, mayonnaise, mustard, and a small pinch of salt and pepper to a small jar with a tightly secured lid and shake well.
  • Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well until evenly coated.

CHEF'S SALAD



Chef's Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 1/2 pounds Boston, Bibb, green or red leaf lettuce, or a mixture, washed, trimmed, and dried
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup dressing of your choice, such as shallot or herb vinaigrette, ranch, or blue cheese
4 ounces imported Swiss cheese, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces baked ham, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces smoked turkey, chicken or duck breast, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces rare roast beef, cut into 1/4-inch by 2 inch matchstick pieces
2 hard-cooked eggs, shelled, cut into wedges
1 ripe Hass avocado, diced
16 vine-ripened cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 kirby (pickling) cucumbers, sliced
1 cup toasted croutons

Steps:

  • Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and put into a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste and toss with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Divide the lettuce among 4 large individual serving bowls. Arrange the cheese, meats, eggs, and avocado, like the spokes of a wheel, on top of each salad. Scatter the tomatoes, cucumbers, and croutons on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and pass the remaining dressing at the table.

CHEF'S SALAD



Chef's Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 49

1 1/2 pounds Boston, bibb or green or red leaf lettuce, washed, trimmed, and dried
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 recipe Shallot or Herb Vinaigrette, Ranch, Blue Cheese or Thousand Island Dressing, recipes follow
4 ounces imported Swiss cheese, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces baked ham, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces smoked turkey, chicken or duck breast, cut into 2-inch long matchstick pieces
4 ounces rare roast beef, cut into 1/4-inch by 2 inch matchstick pieces
2 hard-cooked eggs, shelled, cut into wedges
1 ripe Hass avocado, diced
16 vine-ripened cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
2 kirby (pickling) cucumbers, sliced
1 cup toasted croutons
1/4 cup white wine vinegar, champagne vinegar, or aged sherry wine vinegar
2 to 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely minced shallots
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup white, red or aged sherry vinegar
2 to 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 small clove garlic, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup prepared or homemade mayonnaise
1/4 to 1/3 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
1 scallion, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup crumbled Maytag or other blue cheese (about 3 ounces), divided
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
3/4 cup prepared or homemade mayonnaise
1/4 cup bottled chili sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 1/2 tablespoons minced onion
2 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
1/2 hard-cooked large egg, pushed through a sieve or finely chopped
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and put into a large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper and toss with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Divide the lettuce among 4 large individual serving bowls. Arrange the cheese, meats, eggs, and avocado, like the spokes of a wheel, on top of each salad. Scatter the tomatoes, cucumbers and croutons on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve and pass the remaining dressing at the table.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir in the shallots. Gradually whisk in the oil to make a smooth dressing. Use immediately or store covered, in the refrigerator, for up to a week.
  • Set a medium bowl on a kitchen towel shaped like an "O" (this helps keep the bowl steady while whisking). Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, garlic, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper in the bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil while whisking continuously until the mixture is combined and blended well. Use right away, or refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. For variety, add your favorite dried or chopped fresh herbs.
  • Mash the garlic and salt to a paste with the side of a chef's knife. In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup buttermilk, parsley, chives, scallion, vinegar and pepper to taste. If the sauce is very thick, thin the dressing with a couple tablespoons more of the buttermilk. Use immediately or store covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, 1/4 cup blue cheese, half and half, sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and salt, until smooth. Gently stir in the remaining 1/4 cup blue cheese and season with pepper to taste. Use now or store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Make a paste with the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt by crushing them with the side of a chef's knife. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the garlic, mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup, onion, relish and egg until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Use now or store covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

CHEF'S SALAD



Chef's Salad image

At the restaurant, we always made three dressings to go with this chef salad...blue cheese, French and Thousand Island. At home, I had to serve all three dressings, too, because everyone had their favorite. Sometimes the kids would use a tablespoon of each. -Eleanore Hill, Fresno, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 15m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1/2 head iceberg lettuce, torn
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained, optional
1 small red onion, chopped
1/2 cup sliced radishes
1 small cucumber, chopped
1 small tomato, chopped
1 cup julienned fully cooked ham
1 cup julienned Swiss or cheddar cheese
DRESSING:
1 cup Miracle Whip
1/2 cup each ketchup, sweet pickle relish and chopped onion
Dash garlic salt

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, beans if desired, onion, radishes, cucumber and tomato. Arrange ham and cheese on top. Cover and refrigerate until serving. In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients; stir until well blended. Chill for 1 hour. Serve with the salad.

Nutrition Facts :

CHEF SALAD



Chef Salad image

This salad eats like a full meal and is similar to the one you'd get at a salad bar. Place your toppings in small containers and the leafy greens in a bowl to allow it to be modified to a person's preference.

Provided by thedailygourmet

Categories     Romaine Lettuce Salad

Time 15m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 ounces romaine lettuce
1 medium head butter lettuce
6 ounces deli turkey, cubed
3 ounces turkey ham, cubed
3 ounces Swiss cheese, julienned
3 ounces Cheddar cheese, julienned
½ cup sliced cherry tomatoes
1 baby cucumber, sliced
½ cup croutons
4 large hard-boiled eggs, quartered
¼ cup ranch dressing, or to taste

Steps:

  • Combine romaine and butter lettuce in a large bowl and tear into bite-sized pieces. Toss to mix.
  • Add turkey, turkey ham, Swiss cheese, Cheddar cheese, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, croutons, and eggs; mix to combine. Drizzle with ranch dressing and toss to combine. Another option is to place all the ingredients into individual dishes to allow guests to customize their chef salads to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 346.6 calories, Carbohydrate 11.7 g, Cholesterol 78.3 mg, Fat 23.1 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 10.3 g, Sodium 1084.9 mg

CHEF'S SALAD



Chef's Salad image

Categories     Salad     Leafy Green     Pork     Vegetable     Quick & Easy     Ham     Chickpea     Carrot     Radish     Summer     Healthy     Lettuce     Gourmet

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

6 carrots
8 radishes
a 1-pound piece ham
1 head romaine
1 small head radicchio
1 small head frisée (French curly endive)
a 3-ounce container sunflower sprouts
a 15- to 19-ounce can chick-peas
1 red onion
1 teaspoon salt
For dressing:
1 garlic clove
2/3 cup packed fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup packed fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves
3 tablespoons mixed fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and marjoram
3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup olive oil
a piece Parmigiano-Reggiano (about 1/3 pound)
3/4 pound cherry tomatoes

Steps:

  • Shred carrots and thinly slice radishes. Cut ham into thin strips. Tear lettuces into bite-size pieces and in a bowl toss with sprouts. In a colander rinse and drain chick-peas. Salad ingredients may be prepared up to this point 4 hours ahead and chilled, covered.
  • Halve onion lengthwise and thinly slice crosswise. In a medium bowl dissolve salt in ice water and stir in onion. Let onion stand at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
  • Make dressing:
  • Chop garlic. In a blender or food processor finely chop herbs and garlic with vinegar and salt and, with motor running, add oil in a stream until blended. Dressing may be made 1 hour ahead and chilled, covered.
  • With a vegetable peeler shave thin slices from Parmigiano-Reggiano. Drain onion and pat dry. Halve tomatoes. In a large bowl combine all salad ingredients and toss with dressing and salt and pepper to taste.

CHEF'S SALAD



Chef's Salad image

Main-course salads can be decidedly unvirtuous. So use light mayonnaise and reduced-fat sour cream in this lightened-up dressing. Other essential ingredients include sliced bacon, cooked turkey breast, Swiss cheese, and cooked ham.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Pork Recipes

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 10

6 slices bacon
1 1/2 pounds romaine lettuce hearts (2 to 3 hearts)
8 ounces cooked turkey breast, not sliced
4 ounces cooked ham, not sliced
4 ounces Swiss cheese, not sliced
1 lemon
1 scallion
1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Steps:

  • Cook bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium. Add bacon, and cook until browned and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to cool. Place in a resealable plastic bag; store at room temperature.
  • Prep lettuce, meats, and cheese: Cut romaine into 1-inch ribbons; wash well, and dry. Place in a resealable plastic bag; refrigerate. Cut turkey, ham, and cheese into bite-size strips. Place in an airtight container; cover, and refrigerate.
  • Make dressing: Squeeze lemon into a small bowl. Mince scallion; add to bowl, along with sour cream, mayonnaise, and 2 tablespoons water. Season with salt and pepper. Whisk to combine. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Toss salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, meats, and cheese. Add dressing, and toss to coat. Serve salad topped with crumbled bacon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 353 g, Fat 18 g, Fiber 3 g, Protein 36 g

Tips:

  • Use a variety of colorful vegetables to make your salad visually appealing and packed with nutrients.
  • Choose vegetables that are fresh, crisp, and in season for the best flavor.
  • Cut the vegetables into uniform pieces so they cook evenly.
  • Don't overcook the vegetables, as they should retain a slight crunch.
  • Use a light dressing to avoid overpowering the flavors of the vegetables.
  • Serve the salad immediately after preparing it to enjoy the freshest flavors.

Conclusion:

A chef's salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a light lunch, a hearty dinner, or a refreshing side dish. With its colorful vegetables, protein-packed ingredients, and flavorful dressing, it's a salad that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a healthy and satisfying meal, give this chef's salad recipe a try. You won't be disappointed!

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