Description
A classic Chef Salad featuring a vibrant mix of romaine lettuce, fresh vegetables, deli meats, cheeses, and a hard-boiled egg, all topped with crunchy croutons and your choice of salad dressing. This refreshing and hearty salad is perfect for a light lunch or a nutritious dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 ½ cups romaine lettuce, chopped (can also use iceberg)
- ¼ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 5 slices cucumber
Proteins
- 2 slices turkey
- ¾ cup cubed ham steak
- 1 hard boiled egg, sliced
Cheese
- 2 slices Swiss cheese
- ¼ cup cubed cheddar cheese
Extras
- ⅓ cup croutons
- 2 Tablespoons salad dressing of choice
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: Layer the chopped romaine lettuce evenly on the bottom of a large serving plate or bowl to create the fresh green foundation of the salad.
- Add Vegetables: Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes and cucumber slices evenly over the lettuce to add crisp, refreshing texture and color.
- Arrange Proteins and Cheese: Place slices of turkey and cubed ham steak over the vegetables. Follow by adding the sliced hard boiled egg. Top with Swiss cheese slices and cubed cheddar cheese distributed evenly on top.
- Finish with Croutons and Dressing: Sprinkle the croutons over the entire salad for crunch. When ready to serve, drizzle 2 tablespoons of your favorite chilled salad dressing over the top for added flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute iceberg lettuce if romaine isn’t available for a milder crunch.
- Feel free to swap turkey and ham with other deli meats like chicken or roast beef if desired.
- Use your preferred salad dressing such as ranch, vinaigrette, or thousand island to customize flavor.
- For a lighter version, reduce cheese amounts or opt for low-fat varieties.
- This salad can be assembled ahead of time; keep dressing separate until serving to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (for boiling the egg)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chef salad, deli meat salad, ham and turkey salad, easy lunch salad, protein salad
