Chef Salad – a classic favorite American salad with fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, ham, and cheese topped with a creamy honey mustard yogurt dressing. A fantastic easy and healthy lunch or dinner ready in under 30 minutes!
I can’t believe I haven’t shared this super easy and very filling salad recipe. This Chef Salad is one of those that you can easily whip up together and can be topped with any type of salad dressings. My husband would have this as his main lunch and even as for dinner. It’s crisp, colorful, low-carb and very filling without sacrificing the flavors!
Of all the salad recipes that we’ve prepared these past few weeks, this one is probably my favorite. So how about a good salad recipe while most of us are stuck at home?
What is a Chef Salad?
Food historians and traditionalists may not agree on what makes a chef salad, but it’s basically more or less the same salad that we would usually prepare. Its common variety would usually have any type of cold meat (ham, turkey, tuna, chicken, or roast beef), then with hard-boiled eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and cheese. But if you want to add more to that, that’s basically up to you!
Chef Salad vs Cobb Salad
Well honestly, I wasn’t sure if there’s a difference between a chef salad and a cobb salad. But what I do know so far is that a cobb salad has a variety of leafy greens in it, crisp bacon, and sliced avocados. And instead of cold meat, it usually has grilled or roasted chicken for its meat component.
Chef Salad Ingredients
Okay, I get that we still need those comforting carb-loaded treats to brighten up the room (guilty here😅), but a variety of wholesome meals would be ideal during these times. Got some eggs, lettuce, and other veggies? You’re off to a good start.
To make this healthy meal, you’ll need…
- Vegetables (and or fruit): lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots
- Toppings: hard-boiled eggs, cheddar cheese, ham
As always, feel free to add any of your favorite vegetables or fruits to match your preference.
Chef Salad Dressing
You know I don’t skimp on my salad dressing. So as for my honey mustard yogurt dressing, I pretty much went all in to add more flavor in this healthy salad recipe. The long list might scare you off, but if you have all the ingredients listed below, now is the time to try it. Or you can always go with your favorite creamy salad dressing.
- Greek yogurt (plain yogurt would be fine)
- extra virgin olive oil
- Dijon mustard
- honey (or sugar if you don’t have one)
- apple cider vinegar
- lemon juice
- orange juice
- garlic
- shallots
- salt and pepper to taste
I understand that you may not have all the ingredients needed due to our current situation, so feel free to toss this salad with a bottled or homemade Caesar Salad Dressing, Ranch Dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing. Even a little olive oil and salt and pepper would do the trick to enhance its flavor. It’s pretty forgiving, you know. 😉
What to Serve with Chef Salad?
Since Chef Salad is already a full meal on its own, a simple side like these Homemade Croutons or any buttery crusty bread would go well. If you love more protein on it, feel free to serve it with this Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast or Oven Baked Chicken Breast. And don’t forget an ice-cold serving of this Strawberry Lemonade or Pineapple Ginger Juice for an extraordinary sunny day meal experience.
More Salad Recipes to Try
- Tropical Fruit Salad Recipe
- Shrimp Cobb Salad
- Shaved Brussel Sprouts Salad
- Light Chinese Chicken Salad
How To Make Chef Salad
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, olive oil, mustard, honey, vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper.
Assemble salads in individual bowls or in a large serving bowl, top with dressing and enjoy!
Chef Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large head romaine lettuce , washed, dried and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes , halved
- 1 large cucumber , chopped about 1 cup
- 1 large carrot , shredded about ¾ cup
- 5 large eggs , hard-boiled
- 1 block mild cheddar cheese , cubed abut 2 cups
- 2 cups ham , cubed
Salad Dressing
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard
- 4 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed orange juice
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 tablespoons shallots , minced
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, olive oil, mustard, honey, vinegar, lemon juice, orange juice, garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salads in individual bowls or in a large serving bowl, top with dressing and enjoy!
Tips & Notes:
- Refrigerate leftover dressing. Lasts up to 2 weeks.
- Feel free to add any of your favorite vegetables to match your preference.
- In any salad, make sure you season your greens. A little olive oil or just some salt works perfectly to enhance their natural flavor.
- Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.
Nutrition Information:
Christal Williams says
my dressing is good, but not great…I am not sure what it is missing…I used spicy mustard instead of Dijon. You think that is why I’m not getting that superb taste? 🙂
thanks for all your recipes…I do make them quite often! 🙂
Imma Adamu says
No substituting shouldnt change it that much, it also depends on the brand utilized. You might want to try it again and vary the quantity of mustard used to see if it makes a difference and then wait till its safe to go out and try Dijon to get that smack flavor right inside your cheek.
russell a lucki says
Question: why is the cholestral level so high? What can be done to lower it?
Imma Adamu says
Yes it is rather high. Cheese has quite a high content of cholesterol. My recommendation is to cut out the cheese, use balsamic vinagrette and lemon juice as seasoning and you will dramatically cut the content level. And honestly you won’t even notice the difference. Thank you!
jovonne bolar says
I am going to make this today but can I use anything else rather than greek or any kind of yogurt? Thanks!
ImmaculateBites says
Yes you can- any plain yogurt works or just use mayonnaise. Enjoy!