Hearty Classic Chef Salad (Printable)

Protein-packed salad with ham, turkey, cheese, eggs and fresh veggies in tangy vinaigrette.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 3.5 ounces cooked ham, sliced into strips
02 - 3.5 ounces cooked turkey breast, sliced into strips
03 - 4 large eggs, hard-boiled and quartered

→ Cheese

04 - 3.5 ounces Swiss cheese, sliced into strips
05 - 3.5 ounces cheddar cheese, sliced into strips

→ Vegetables

06 - 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
07 - 1 head iceberg lettuce, chopped
08 - 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
09 - 1 cucumber, sliced
10 - 1 carrot, julienned
11 - ½ red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

12 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 1½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - ½ teaspoon salt
16 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Garnish

17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
18 - 2 tablespoons chopped parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified. Set aside to allow flavors to meld.
02 - Spread the chopped romaine and iceberg lettuce evenly across a large serving platter or individual plates, creating a bed for the toppings.
03 - Arrange the ham strips, turkey strips, Swiss cheese, and cheddar cheese in sections over the lettuce for visual appeal.
04 - Place the tomato wedges, cucumber slices, julienned carrot, red onion, and hard-boiled egg quarters strategically on top of the protein and cheese layers.
05 - Drizzle the vinaigrette over the entire salad immediately before serving, or serve dressing on the side. Garnish with chopped chives and parsley.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Every forkful delivers a perfect medley of creamy, tangy, crisp, and savory elements that somehow work together beautifully
  • It's a complete meal that feels substantial without weighing you down, perfect for those nights when you want something satisfying but not heavy
  • The combination of proteins and fresh vegetables means you're getting genuine nutrition alongside all that deliciousness
02 -
  • The difference between a good chef salad and a great one comes down to ingredient temperature, everything should be chilled but not fridge-cold
  • Making the dressing first is non-negotiable, letting it sit while you prep allows flavors to meld together
  • Don't toss everything together, the visual appeal of arranged sections is half the experience
03 -
  • Chill your serving platter for 15 minutes before assembling, it keeps everything crisp longer
  • Pat washed lettuce thoroughly dry with paper towels, wet dressing won't stick properly
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