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What Is a Chef Salad?

Lainie Petersen
Lainie Petersen

A chef salad, sometimes known as a chef's salad, is a salad composed of greens and several types of protein, including hard-boiled eggs, cold meats, and one or more cheeses, and served with some type of salad dressing. The chef salad is served as a meal in its own right and not before or after a meal. Culinary historians are unclear as to the precise origins of the salad, though they generally agree that it was popularized after being added to the menu at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in New York. Many restaurants serve their own version of this salad, and some chefs have developed their own variations, such as the cobb salad, which have become quite famous in their own right.

Early recipes for the chef salad that date back to the 1930s differ in a few ways from modern versions. These salads typically incorporate anchovies, but do not include the cold meats that are typically associated with a chef salad. These salads did, however, include both cheese and hard-boiled eggs. Eventually, chef salad recipes almost always included one or more different types of cold meat that, like the cheese, was julienned into thin, long strips. While the salad may have gotten its start at elegant and fashionable hotels, this type of salad is now available at all types of restaurants, including those that sell prepackaged meals, as it can provide a reasonably hearty meal that does not need cooking or a large number of dishes or utensils to prepare.

Salad greens.
Salad greens.

The greens used in this salad vary according to the preference of the cook. Many have a base of romaine lettuce, while others incorporate a mix of greens. Other items that are typically added to a chef salad are tomatoes and black olives. While some cookbooks include recipes for a salad dressing intended for chef salad, these recipes often vary, and many restaurants permit diners to choose from one of several different types of salad dressing to pour over their salad.

Black olives can be used to top a chef salad.
Black olives can be used to top a chef salad.

Other famous dinner salads that may be based on the original chef salad include the cobb salad, which includes bacon bits, avocado, and chopped chicken, as well as the Greek salad, which is topped with feta cheese, anchovies, and black olives. The salads are typically served in fairly large portions, as they are often intended to compose an entire meal. In some cases, however, they may also be served as an appetizer by some restaurants, which will put the salad on a large platter that is then brought to a table to be portioned out family-style.

Discussion Comments

Viranty

On occasion, my mom will fix dinner salads, and I absolutely love it. Not only is there enough to last for a day or two, but there's also a lot of variety. The salad usually contains avocados, cucumbers, and strips of chicken breast. Overall, I find salads to be very versatile in the sense that they can appeal to everyone. For example, if you love meat, you can toss lots of chicken in the salad. However, if you're a vegetarian or vegan, all you have to do is remove the chicken and instead of using ranch dressing, replace it with a healthy dairy free substitute, such as olive oil.

Krunchyman

@Chmander - While you do bring up a good point, at many restaurants, dressing isn't even put into salad, as they give you a choice. In other words, when the salad is served, they might put on your table a bunch of dressings that suit your needs. Afterwards, you're then allowed to choose from one. In fact, think of it like how it's done at home. No one puts dressing into an entire salad without consent. After all, you're the one choosing what goes in your dish. I hope that's cleared things up, as it's just food for thought.

Chmander

It's quite funny that no matter how well a chef prepares a salad, the dressing that comes along can either make or break it. For example, many people love ranch dressing, and I have a feeling that they wouldn't mind if that was tossed into their salad. On the other hand, something such as Catalina may not work well with others. While it might come down to personal preference, it's also good to remember that dressings are a major part of the dish.

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    • Salad greens.
      By: NataliTerr
      Salad greens.
    • Black olives can be used to top a chef salad.
      By: Subbotina Anna
      Black olives can be used to top a chef salad.
    • Hard-boiled eggs are typically included on a chef salad.
      By: Natika
      Hard-boiled eggs are typically included on a chef salad.
    • Chef salads may feature a variety of salad dressings.
      By: SunnyS
      Chef salads may feature a variety of salad dressings.