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    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Chef’s Salad Recipe (Remembering Nan)

    Published: April 1, 2022 Updated: April 1, 2022 / By: Dawn | Girl Heart Food 6 Comments

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    Large bowl of chef's salad with French dressing.

    Crisp lettuce combined with yummy ingredients, like ham, turkey, eggs, cheese, cucumber, tomatoes and croutons, make up this simple, yet delicious, chef’s salad recipe. Drizzle with your favourite salad dressing, and you’re set for a satisfying meal. It’s a classic green salad you’ll want to make time and time again!

    Large bowl of chef's salad with French dressing.

    This post is quite difficult for me to write. You see, my nan passed away in February of this year.

    My nan was an important part of our family, my life. Nothing will ever replace her, and she will forever be missed. Even now, I find myself expecting her to call, or wanting to call her, and then I realize she’s gone.

    I have so many wonderful memories of my nan that I could write a book, but something that sticks out vividly about her was her cooking and love of it. And was she ever funny! She’d say the most hilarious things, and her smile and laughter would light up a room. Anyone would truly be lucky to meet her.

    A Delicious Salad Inspired by Nan

    I’ve shared a recipe inspired by Nan a while back … her family-famous cabbage rolls. Today, though, it’s a chef’s salad recipe.

    “Chef’s salad” or “chef salad.” What do you call this classic green salad? I’ve heard it referred to both ways. For me, it’s the former. Either way, it’s delicious and quite special to me.

    Growing up and going to grade school, I would often visit my nan’s during lunch-time break. One of the things that she used to make me was a chef’s salad and, boy, did I enjoy it.

    It was quite a simple chef’s salad, like most are, but it was so tasty and definitely made with love. She’d take so much pride in it and always say “I washed the lettuce three times.”

    Iceberg lettuce in a salad spinner.

    I remember her making me a big bowl, piled high, and I’d drizzle it with bright orange store-bought French dressing. Talk about good.

    It’s the combination of iceberg lettuce and French dressing, in particular, that makes this chef’s salad “nan’s salad.”

    Funny thing about food, how the memories that it evokes transcends the actual taste of what you are eating. Know what I mean? I mean, yes, chef’s salad is yummy. But, to me, it’s much more than that. One bite of salad and I’m transported right back to her table, with nan smiling over at me.

    So, this one is for you nan. Love you, miss you.

    Ingredients for Chef Salad

    • Lettuce (like iceberg, romaine, or green or red leaf lettuce)
    • Meats (usually a combination of them, like ham, turkey roast beef and chicken)
    • Hard-boiled eggs
    • Cheese (like cheddar cheese or Swiss)
    • Tomatoes (like hothouse, cherry or grape)
    • Cucumber
    • Croutons

    How to Make It

    Making a chef salad couldn’t be simpler! After all your ingredients are prepped, grab a large salad bowl, place the lettuce into the bowl, then layer on the remaining ingredients. Toss and serve with your favourite salad dressing drizzled over top. Refer to the recipe card below for full details on how to make this chef’s salad recipe.

    Two bowls of chef's salad, a larger one and a smaller one, next to a bowl of French dressing.

    Type of Lettuce To Use

    Nan always used iceberg lettuce for chef’s salad, so that’s what I always go for. I don’t use a lot of iceberg lettuce for salad, but whenever I make chef’s salad it’s what I like to use. I just love how crisp and fresh it is. Plus, iceberg has its own unique flavour profile which I enjoy in this green salad.

    If you prefer something else, romaine, Boston, or red or green leaf lettuce are all great options.

    Head of iceberg lettuce.

    Type of Salad Dressing to Use

    Typically, the classics are used for chef salad. French or ranch dressing, or even vinaigrette are popular choices. My favourite? French, hands down. Funny thing, I don’t often use French dressing for much else, but when it comes to chef’s salad, that’s why I go for (probably because that’s what I grew up with and enjoyed when nan made me chef’s salad).

    Honestly, though, use whatever salad dressing you enjoy best!

    Small bowl of French dressing with a wooden spoon.

    Tips for Making This Salad

    • As with making any green salad, ensure that your lettuce is spun pretty dry in a salad spinner after washing. Watery lettuce can make your salad limp and the salad dressing doesn’t cling to it as well.
    • The addition of salt and pepper is optional. Some people like a little in their salad, but I often prefer to omit.
    • Use your favourite store-bought variety of croutons or make your own homemade croutons for something extra special. Homemade is a great way to use day-old bread you may have on hand.
    • When making chef’s salad, Nan often used thinly sliced smoked ham and turkey (basically, something that one would often use for a sandwich). I used freshly cooked turkey breast and cubed smoked ham because that’s what I had on hand but either works.
    • Sometimes Nan used pickle instead of cucumber. And, yes, it worked and it was tasty. So, if you find yourself with no cucumber on hand, try sliced pickle (I love Kosher pickle).
    Close-up of chef's salad with French dressing.

    What To Serve With It

    Chef’s salad makes a lovely lunch or light dinner all on its own, but if you want to make things more substantial, serve it with some homemade soup, garlic bread or a sandwich.

    Forkful of chef salad from a bowl.

    More Yummy Salad Recipes

    • Mixed Green Salad With Fruit
    • Blueberry Spinach Salad
    • Southwest Chicken Salad With Chipotle Lime Dressing

    If you make this chef’s salad recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!

    Large bowl of chef's salad with French dressing.

    Chef’s Salad Recipe (Remembering Nan)

    Dawn | Girl Heart Food
    Crisp lettuce combined with yummy ingredients, like ham, turkey, eggs, cheese, cucumber, tomatoes and croutons, make up this simple, yet delicious, chef's salad recipe. Drizzle with your favourite salad dressing, and you're set for a satisfying meal. It's a classic green salad you'll want to make time and time again!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Save RecipeSaved!
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Lunch, Salad
    Servings 4 servings
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce, or use romaine, Boston, or red or green leaf lettuce
    • 6 ounces cooked smoked ham, cut into small cubes (about 1.5 cups)
    • 6 ounces cooked turkey breast, cut into small cubes (about 1,5 cups)
    • 4 large hard-boiled eggs, eggs removed from shells and sliced or quartered
    • 1.5 cups cubed cheddar cheese, about 6 ounces
    • ½ English cucumber, sliced into rounds, then the rounds halved
    • 1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 1 cup croutons
    • salt, to taste (optional)
    • freshly ground pepper, to taste (optional)
    • Salad dressing, for serving (I like French, ranch or Italian)

    Instructions

    • Place the lettuce in a large serving bowl, then top with the ham, turkey, eggs, cheddar cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, croutons and salt and pepper (if using). Toss to combine.
      Tip: For presentation purposes, you can build the salad into individual serving bowls rather than in a larger one (it's up to you).
    • To serve, divide the salad into serving bowls and drizzle to taste with your favourite salad dressing. Enjoy!

    A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.

    Keyword chef salad recipe, classic salad, green salad

    Tried this recipe?

    If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!

    More Salad Recipes

    • Citrus Kale Salad With Sesame Vinaigrette
    • Lobster Pasta Salad
    • Chicken and Kale Salad
    • Blueberry Spinach Salad Recipe

    © Girl Heart Food Inc. All photographs and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Valentina

      April 04, 2022 at 9:00 pm

      I know what you mean about the taste of food not only being a memory, but also transporting you back to a time and place. I love that. Your Nan sounds so very special, and you’ll have her in your heart forever. I remember her cabbage rolls you shared distinctly because my grandmother also had a similar recipe — and because they (your Nan’s) cabbage rolls, are the number one most pinned image of ALL my pins. 🙂
      Beautiful chopped salad too. Sending love and good thoughts to you and your family. xoxo Valentina

      Reply
      • Dawn | Girl Heart Food

        April 05, 2022 at 7:39 pm

        Love that too! Yes, Nan truly was special and will be missed so so much. She was such a great cook and there are so many wonderful memories. Thank you very much, Valentina. XOXO

        Reply
    2. Sarah

      April 01, 2022 at 7:22 pm

      5 stars
      So sorry about your nan. Sending hugs 🤗 Food is such a lovely way to remember her!

      Reply
      • Dawn | Girl Heart Food

        April 05, 2022 at 7:35 pm

        Thank you, Sarah! It truly is.

        Reply
    3. David @ Spiced

      April 01, 2022 at 9:56 am

      5 stars
      I’m sorry to hear about nan, Dawn. I’m sure that has been really tough. But fortunately you can remember nan through her recipes…and this one sounds fantastic! (I remember those cabbage rolls, too!) I do love a good chef’s salad (I call it the same as you)…it’s basically an excuse to pile all of the best toppings on a salad! I could go for one of these today!

      Reply
      • Dawn | Girl Heart Food

        April 05, 2022 at 7:34 pm

        Thank you, David. I sure can! Nan’s chef’s salad was always a favourite!

        Reply

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