A mix of fresh greens are topped with a rainbow of deli meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables, and drizzled with a flavorful herbed vinaigrette. This classic chef salad is the ultimate lunch or dinner salad!
A chef salad really does not come to play, friends.
I don’t know if it was actually a professional chef that created this little (ahem, HUGE) gem of a salad, but I have to believe that whoever it was is a master at their profession because words can’t even express how incredible this salad is.
It’s kinda like a kitchen sink-style salad but I feel like even using that term isn’t doing it justice. It’s packed with deli meats, cheeses, tons of veggies, and basically just everything good in salad form.
I had to add my spin and pair it with a homemade fresh herb vinaigrette and oh my gahhhhh it’s literally everything you could ever dream of in salad form.
Never dreamed about a salad before? Well you’re about to start.
This Chef Salad Features…
- A bed of leafy romaine and butter lettuce
- Deli ham and turkey cubes
- Cheddar and Swiss cheese cubes
- Diced avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and green onions
- A fresh herb vinaigrette
Making the Chef Salad
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- White wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Granulated sugar
- Parsley
- Chives
- Olive oil
- Romaine lettuce
- Butter lettuce
- Ham
- Turkey
- Cheddar cheese
- Swiss cheese
- Avocado
- Cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes
- Green onions
Choosing Your Greens
This recipe works well with a variety of greens including spring greens, spinach, arugula, etc. I like to use a classic combo of half romaine and half butter lettuce but any kind works here.
Tips for Perfect Chef Salad
- Puree dressing in blender or food processor – either of these tools will blend the dressing smooth.
- Dice salad ingredients in uniform cubes – aim for 1/2-inch cubes for uniformity across salad.
- Cut avocado just before serving – this will prevent the avocado from turning brown.
- Dress salad just before serving – this will keep all the ingredients fresh. Keep reading below for meal prep options.
Make-Ahead Tips
The dressing for this salad stores well in refrigerator up to 6 days if you would like to make it ahead of time. You can also chop all the greens, meats, cheeses, and veggies (wait to cut the avocado until just before serving) and store separately in refrigerator up to 4 days.
When ready to serve, arrange all the greens and toppings on a serving platter or in a bowl and top with dressing.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this salad.
- Use different meats – chicken or bacon work great here.
- Use different cheeses – try a sharp cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, blue cheese, or feta.
- Swap out dressings – you can use a premade dressing such as ranch, thousand island, Italian, Greek, or red wine dressing.
- Add more veggies – try adding a sweet pepper, sweet corn, snap peas, or sprouts.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is great all on its own for a dinner or lunch salad but also pairs great alongside a sandwich or soup for a full meal.
More loaded salads you’ll love!
Classic Chef Salad with Herbed Vinaigrette
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
Herbed Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Chef Salad
- 1 medium head romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 medium head butter lettuce, chopped
- 3/4 cup diced deli ham
- 3/4 cup diced deli turkey
- 1/2 cup diced cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup diced Swiss or provolone cheese
- 2 large diced hard-boiled eggs
- 1 medium avocado, diced
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Instructions
Herbed Vinaigrette
- Combine vinegar, mustard, sugar, parsley, and chives in a blender or food processor. Blend on low while slowly drizzling olive oil through top. Once olive oil is all added, increase speed to high and blend 20-30 seconds until dressing is smooth. Season dressing with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
Chef Salad
- Combine romaine and butter lettuce on a large serving platter or in a large bowl. Arrange meats, cheeses, eggs, avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and green onions in lines across greens.
- When ready to serve, drizzle vinaigrette over salad and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 10/29/26.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I can’t get enough of salads, so this is just calling my name! I’m especially in love with that pesto ranch dressing. What a perfect combination, Sarah! I think I could eat this for breakfast! Yum!
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! I’m definitely not above eating salad for breakfast either! 😉
Kathryn Mader says
I took one look at that salad and started drooling and BINGO!, dinner tonight! I can’t wait and just the thought will keep be ticking through the day, ’cause what on earth am I doing up so early? I’m excited for your culinary schooling to start, just think of the possibilities! Your mom is cute; I’m glad you come home every day, did I read that right, a commute? That will be a nice transition for both of you. Have a WONDERFUL last week of summer!
Sarah says
Yay! I hope you’ll let me know how the salad turns out! And thank you so much for the well wishes about my going to college! Yes, I will be commuting from home at least for the first semester. 😉 Thanks again, Kathryn!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
Looking at Pinterest you would think it’s October aready! I’m still in summer mode, so send me all the salad!
Sarah says
Right?! There’s still a little bit of summer left! 😉
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says
This is not another salad, this is a great salad, a rainbow on a plate, the crunchy veggies, the dressing are so great, love it!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Katalina! This salad sounds right up your alley, friend! 🙂
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This salad looks delicious, Sarah! The perfect summer food, especially when it is too hot to have the oven on! I really love pesto dressing, so much flavour! Definitely going to try this out!
Good luck for culinary school! You’re going to have a blast, I’m about start my final year at culinary school myself, it has been a lot of hard work, but so much fun! 😀
Sarah says
Oh my gosh, your final year already! That’s so awesome, Jess! I’m definitely looking forward to starting mine! 😉
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
That pesto ranch dressing sounds perfect with this chefs salad. I can eat salad for every meal and be completely happy.
Sarah says
I’m right there with ‘ya, Jen! Salad is just life. 🙂
Kara says
Pesto ranch? Omg that sounds amazing. I have some left over pesto in my fridge and now I know exactly what to do with it! :)) Thanks for the idea!
Sarah says
Let me know how it turns out, Kara! Thanks for stopping by. 😉
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
We’ve been trying to hang on to everything we love about summer since it’s zooming by way too quickly. This salad is the best way to enjoy all those summer flavors! It looks amazing! Good luck with school next week! So exciting, you will have a great time 🙂
Sarah says
Exactly! Summer needs to sloooooow down and let us enjoy all the summer salad first!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Now this is one gorgeous salad Sarah, such pretty colorful veggies! And good luck with the school, you will do just fine! I am sure of that! 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Manali! I appreciate the sweet words!
Danielle says
How exciting that you’ll be starting college soon! I look forward to hearing how you enjoy culinary school, but knowing you I think you will absolutely love it. By the way, that cream pesto ranch dressing is AMAZING! I love this salad, Sarah!
Sarah says
Danielle, you are totally the sweetest! You make my day every time with your kind words. 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Just look at all those gorgeous veggies! I could probablllly eat that whole bowl myself. Haha! And I love that pesto ranch dressing. yum!
Sarah says
Thanks lady! The pesto ranch dressing is right up your alley for sure! 😉