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This chef salad recipe is one of my favorite salads to make, because it’s naturally low carb and healthy, yet enjoyable for everyone else that might not care about any diet at all. Chef salad ingredients are super simple, and if you need to swap something, that’s easy to do. Much like a taco salad, a classic cobb salad, or a BBQ chicken salad that you can customize, this is a throw-in-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink type of salad.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chef Salad Recipe
- Creamy, sweet, and savory all in one
- Wide variety of textures
- Ready in just 15 minutes
- Simple, basic ingredients you probably have on hand
- Makes an easy, healthy lunch or dinner
What Is A Chef Salad?
Chef salad, sometimes called chef’s salad, is an American salad made with deli meat, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, hard boiled eggs, and greens. Its origin is debated, but some say that Louis Diat, chef at the Ritz Carlton in New York City, came up with it in the 1940s [*].
Some classic chef salad recipes include croutons and are topped with a chef salad dressing that is made with sugar, but this is a healthier version without the sugar or bread.
Chef Salad Ingredients & Substitutions
This section explains what’s in a chef salad, what each ingredient does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.
- Lettuce – I prefer to use romaine lettuce, but iceberg lettuce or any other greens will work. Chop right before serving.
- Deli Ham – Chop the ham into bite-sized pieces. (Chopped cooked bacon would also be delicious!) If you don’t eat pork, you can substitute turkey instead.
- Tomatoes – Any small tomatoes, such as cherry or grape tomatoes, work well. Slice these in half. If you only have large ones on hand, you can just chop those up instead.
- Cucumbers – Slice them into quarter moons.
- Cheese – I used a combination of Cheddar and Swiss, but feel free to use any cheeses you like. (Provolone is another common one to use.) Authentic chef salad typically has cheese cut into cubes, but if you don’t have block cheese on hand, you can use shredded as well.
- Hard Boiled Eggs – I recommend this method for perfect boiled eggs, and once cooled, slice them using an egg slicer.
- Thousand Island Dressing – I make mine with homemade sugar-free thousand island dressing, but any kind you like will work. If you’re not a fan of thousand island, ranch dressing, green goddess, honey mustard, or blue cheese dressing are great options. (This salad works best with creamy dressings, but a vinaigrette is also fine if that’s your preference.) If your dressing is a little bland, you can add salt and pepper to taste.
How To Make A Chef Salad
This section shows how to make a chef’s salad, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Chop. Get all your ingredients sliced and diced, as described above.
- Plate. You can put everything into one large salad bowl, or individual serving bowls.
- Add dressing. Top salad with dressing and toss to coat, or serve the dressing on the side.
Recipe Variations
Want to change it up? Try these different ways to make this salad:
- Chicken – Omit the deli ham, and add 8 oz of cooked chicken such as shredded chicken, perfectly charred grilled chicken, or juicy baked chicken breast to the salad ingredients for a chicken chef salad.
- Veggies – Try adding sliced or diced avocado, grated carrots, thinly sliced radishes, or chopped celery. You can use up almost any vegetables you have on hand.
- Italian – Make an Italian chef salad by adding 1/4 cup sliced black olives, 1/4 cup diced red onion, 1/4 cup diced pepperoncini peppers, and topping with shaved Parmesan cheese and Italian dressing.
Storage Instructions
Keep the chef salad ingredients separate from the dressing in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Dressed salad might last up to a day.
More Easy Salad Recipes
If you like this simple salad, you might also like some of these other healthy salad recipes to enjoy as a meal:
Homemade Chef Salad Recipe
Chef Salad (Easy In 15 Minutes!)
An easy homemade chef salad recipe that comes together in 15 minutes! Since chef salad ingredients are simple and customizable, you can make this anytime.
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Ingredients
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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Place chopped lettuce into a large bowl, or divide among serving bowls.
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Top with ham, tomatoes, cucumbers, cubed cheeses, and sliced eggs.
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Add dressing and toss to coat, or serve dressing on the side of individual bowls.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 2 cups, or 1/6 entire recipe
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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16 Comments
Ann
0Quick, easy and delicious!!
Rosa
0This looks so good! I love Cobb salads.
Question: I love the little glass blows you use for after you measured your ingredients. What kind of bowls are they and where can I get them?!
Rosa
0That should say I love a chef salad.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Rosa, You can get those bowls on Amazon.
Rosa
0Awesome, thank you!
Cate
0We devoured this salad! It was delicious..making again soon!!
Taylor
0So easy, hearty and absolutely delicious! Perfect to meal prep for lunches throughout the week.
Eden
0This salad was perfect with our dinner last night. Loved the dressing too!
Colleen
0If I leave out the ham what would be protein in meal?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Colleen, If you leave out the ham, you would still get protein from the eggs and cheese. You could also add chicken or any other protein you like.
Renee Goerger
0I’m a giant lover of a chef’s salad. They have everything I’m looking for to fill me up. Thanks for the recipe.
Beth
0Yum! I love salads especially when I’m looking for one that’s keto! I can’t wait to make this!
Jordin
0Yumm! I love a good salad recipe especially for summer! I can’t wait to try this recipe out.
Elaine
0I am amazed that you only need 15 minutes to make this fantastic salad. Can’t wait to make it over the weekend!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
0I’m making this for the weekend, I bet everyone is going to devour it!
Veena
0Love every combination to this salad. Healthy and yum.