Go Back

Classic Chef Salad

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Egg Boiling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 4 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
  • 6 oz deli turkey, sliced
  • 6 oz deli ham, sliced
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs, quartered
  • 4 oz Swiss cheese, cubed
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, sliced
  • Dressing of choice (Ranch, Thousand Island, French, or Vinaigrette)

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Prepare the Lettuce
    Wash and dry the romaine and iceberg thoroughly.
    Here's the thing—wet lettuce is the fastest way to ruin an otherwise great salad.
    Use a salad spinner if you have one.
    Place the lettuce into a large serving bowl or platter.
  2. Step 2: Prepare the Toppings
    Slice the turkey and ham into strips.
    Cube or slice the cheeses.
    Quarter the hard-boiled eggs.
    Slice the cucumber and halve the cherry tomatoes.
    Try to keep the pieces roughly the same size. It makes every forkful more balanced.
  3. Step 3: Arrange the Ingredients
    Rather than tossing everything immediately, arrange the toppings in neat rows across the lettuce.
    Place:
    Ham in one row
    Turkey in another
    Cheese sections side by side
    Eggs in a separate row
    Tomatoes and cucumbers at the edges
    This presentation creates the classic deli-style look.
  4. Step 4: Add Dressing and Serve
    Serve the dressing on the side or drizzle lightly over the salad right before eating.
    Then toss if desired.
    Or don't.
    Many people enjoy the composed presentation because it lets everyone build each bite exactly how they like it.