Diner-Style Coleslaw

I do love a cold, creamy coleslaw. Nothing fancy. And maybe a little vinegary kick. But not much. This diner-style coleslaw is my kind of slaw. Perfect on a hot day, for lunch or dinner. Perfect on a cool day too. And crazy easy to make. This slaw reminds me of the ones you’d find in the glass cases in the diners of old. The ones with the sliding doors. Made early that morning, wrapped in plastic wrap, and chilled to perfection!

Diner-Style Coleslaw

Nice And Creamy

I use Blue Plate mayonnaise in all of my slaws. For me, it’s the best-tasting, creamiest mayonnaise around. You can use your favorite. Even though this diner-style coleslaw isn’t complicated, better ingredients make for a better slaw.

I didn’t have white balsamic vinegar on hand. I knew I didn’t want to use regular ole balsamic vinegar. Though it’d add the same flavor, it’d discolor the slaw. That wouldn’t be good. I used apple cider vinegar instead and the slaw come out fantastic. Problem solved!

Also try a delicious homemade chef’s salad!

Diner-Style Coleslaw

Diner-Style Coleslaw

Best served well-chilled!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Course Coleslaw
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 204 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • In a large bowl mix together everything except for the slaw mix.
  • Add the slaw mix and stir to coat.
  • Sprinkle with the parsley (if using) and stir.

Notes

Stir again before serving. Store leftovers in the fridge.
You can substitute two small heads of cabbage and 2 carrots, all shredded, for the bagged slaw instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 1gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 163mgPotassium: 133mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 169IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 0.4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword coleslaw, diner
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Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

I’ve made a few complicated salad dressings in my time. You know, a long list of ingredients. A little bit of time. This buttermilk blue cheese salad dressing isn’t one of those. A handful of ingredients makes for a great dressing. There’s nothing complicated here. Just creamy buttermilk richness with the tang of blue cheese. Perfect for my dinner salad.

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Dip Away!

This buttermilk blue cheese salad dressing isn’t crazy thick. It pours out easily. You can add more blue cheese (or less buttermilk, depending on how you want to look at it) to make it a bit thicker if you like. I like it thinner. It’s perfect for taking that radish or cherry tomato and dipping. Big time dipping. Get-some-blue-cheese-chunks-on-it kind of dipping.

This dressing is also fantastic for dunking wings.

Also try some homemade garlic ranch salad dressing.

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Buttermilk Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

An easy, tasty dressing perfect for salads (and wings!)
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 5 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 259 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into a medium bowl. Whisk until combined.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Notes

Stir again before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 4gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 372mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 176IUCalcium: 112mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword blue cheese, buttermilk
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Copycat McDonald’s Chef Salad

If I had to choose a salad as my favorite, this copycat McDonald’s Chef Salad would be it. Not because it’s fancy. But because it reminds me of diner salads. The kind that would be in a refrigerated glass case, wrapped in plastic wrap. Premade that morning. McDonald’s served these for a few years. They came in plastic containers with a packet of your favorite dressing. Nothing fancy but reminiscent of the classic.

Copycat McDonald's Chef Salad

Oh the Ham and Turkey!

I often slice sandwich meats to top my salads. This copycat McDonald’s Chef Salad called for something a bit more. Roasted turkey and smoked ham cut into thin almost-matchstick-like strips. They make this salad better. A lot better. Don’t skimp on the meats. Grab some good stuff out of the meat case. It’s more than worth it.

Great Eggs

To make the perfect hard-boiled eggs for my salads, I ‘cheat’. I use an egg cooker. I laughed when my mom gave us one of these cookers years ago. Well, I don’t laugh now. I love it. Every single time I get perfectly cooked eggs. And they shell easy. I have to say I’ll never make boiled eggs in a pot again.

Great Cheese

You really need to shred your own cheese for this salad. Or any salad. Or any dish. It makes a big difference. The cheese is creamier. Tastier. It doesn’t have that ‘stuff’ on it that keeps it from sticking together like you’ll find in bagged pre-shredded cheese. This shredder makers it super-easy to shred cheese and it’s easy to clean too. It also grates cheese!

Also try my loaded chef’s salad.

Copycat McDonald's Chef Salad

Copycat McDonald’s Chef Salad

A tasty classic!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 289 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup iceberg lettuce chopped
  • 1 cup green leaf lettuce chopped. I like a combination of green and red leaf lettuce
  • 1/4 cup roasted turkey cut into thin strips
  • 1/4 cup smoked ham cut into thin strips
  • 1 radish sliced thin
  • 6 slices cucumber
  • 4 quarters tomato or use 3 halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/4 cup Monterey jack cheese shredded
  • 3 halves hard-boiled eggs
  • kosher salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • your favorite salad dressing to taste

Instructions
 

  • Combine the chopped lettuces and place onto a plate.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and serve.

Notes

Best served on a cold plate!

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 22gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 894mgPotassium: 410mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 3607IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 449mgIron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword chef’s salad, copycat
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Copycat Chili’s Ranch Salad Dressing

I love simple and easy. But still delicious. Ranch is always my go-to dressing of choice. This copycat Chili’s Ranch salad dressing hit the spot. It was perfect on my chef’s salad. Nice and creamy without being too thick. Tasty. But not complicated. I had all of the ingredients on-hand. Some ranch dressings have a lot of ‘stuff’ in them. Not bad stuff, just lots of it. That makes me tend to shy away from making them. Not this one. This is a great dressing!

Copycat Chili's Ranch Salad Dressing

Pickle Juice for the Win

The recipe for a copycat Chili’s Ranch salad dressing calls for pickle juice. You know, that stuff in the jar after you’ve taken the last dill pickle. I never ever throw that juice out. It’s great in recipes like this. It’s also great as a chicken marinade. It lasts forever. It’s not hurting anyone. Leave it in the back of the fridge because some day you’re going to need it and you’ll be happy you have it!

I bought these little dressing cups to try and help me with my Ranch dressing addiction. The theory is that they keep me from over-dressing my salads. And they often do just that. Unfortunately, though, the kitchen isn’t that far away and refilling these little cups doesn’t take long!

Also try some homestyle garlic ranch salad dressing.

Copycat Chili's Ranch Salad Dressing

Copycat Chili’s Ranch Salad Dressing

Inspired by a recipe from The Sauce Chick
Easy and delicious.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 256 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until combined and smooth.
  • Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Stir before serving.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 256kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 451mgPotassium: 57mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 210IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword copycat, Ranch
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Jimmy John’s The Turkey Tom Sub In A Tub

A good ole, simple salad makes me happy. Nothing fancy. But I do like to change things up just a little bit so I don’t get bored. I’ve found that the easiest way to keep things interesting is to make versions of my favorite chain sub sandwiches as salads. They sell them in the restaurants, sure. But they’re so easy (and cheaper) to make at home. And well, kind of fun. Today I made Jimmy John’s The Turkey Tom sub in a tub. Nothing fancy going on here, but I enjoyed it and that’s what counts!

Jimmy John's The Turkey Tom Sub In A Tub

A Little Prep Goes A Long Way

To make things go smoothly, I do as much preparing ahead of time as I can. That way when it comes time to make my lunch, such as this Jimmy John’s The Turkey Tom sub in a tub, I can have it put together in just minutes. I chop a combination of iceberg and green leaf lettuces and put them in a sealable tub with a paper towel to help keep them fresh. I use cherry or Roma tomatoes because they hold up well. So, I chop them too and place them into the fridge.

I could pre-cut my sandwich meats and cheese, but I like doing those the day I am having my salad. Who knows, I might change my mind from the day before about what I want on my salad.

Also try a Subway Black Forest Ham sub in a tub!

Jimmy John's The Turkey Tom Sub In A Tub

Jimmy John’s The Turkey Tom Sub In A Tub

Made fresh at home!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place the lettuce into your tub or onto a plate.
  • Layer the sandwich meat slices and roll up like a cigar. Slice with a knife. Add to the lettuce. Note: If your meats are too thick to roll up, just slice them into bite-sized pieces instead.
  • Slice the cheese and add to the lettuce along with the tomato and onion.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with your favorite dressing.

Notes

This salad can be made a day ahead. Just cover and store in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 21gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 943mgPotassium: 547mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1281IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword salad, sub in a tub
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Jimmy John’s Country Club Sub In A Tub

Sure, I coulda got a sub for lunch. But I wasn’t in the mood for all that bread. Plus I’m all about making my lunch at home. I work here. I’m not going out to grab a sandwich. So I made a Jimmy John’s Country Club sub in a tub instead! And boy was it a mighty delicious salad! Fresh ingredients, ready in no time. And heck, I even felt better after eating it!

Jimmy John's Country Club Sub In A Tub

The No-Bread Zone

Everything is here on my Jimmy John’s Country Club sub in a tub that can be found on the store-made sandwich. I chop the lettuce and tomatoes the day before. On the day of lunch I just cut up some meat and cheese, add a little salt and pepper and I’m ready! Oh yeah! Dressing! For the dressing I just grab whatever suits my fancy! This isn’t complicated. Just a nice way to change up my regular salad rotation.

Check out my always-growing list of my favorite homemade subs in a tub!

Jimmy John's Country Club Sub In A Tub

Jimmy John’s Country Club Sub In A Tub

Fresh and delicious!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 323 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place the lettuce into your tub or onto a plate.
  • Layer the sandwich meat slices and roll up like a cigar. Slice with a knife. Add to the lettuce. Note: If your meats are too thick to roll up, just slice them into bite-sized pieces instead.
  • Slice the cheese and add to the lettuce along with the tomato.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with your favorite dressing.

Notes

This salad can be made a day ahead. Just cover and store in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 26gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 1163mgPotassium: 761mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2595IUVitamin C: 33mgCalcium: 206mgIron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword salad, sub in a tub
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey Sub In A Tub

It’s sub in a tub week here again! Woo hoo! It’s one of my favorite weeks. Every once in a while I go on a salad-for-lunch kick. Or, for dinner. No big ole subs for me. Just nice, fresh, loaded salads. Now, this ain’t necessarily one of them fancy light, healthy salads. A guy has gotta eat. Work is hard. I work up an appetite. That’s why I go big when I make my Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey sub in a tub. Heavy on the turkey. Heavy on the provolone. It’s all good. Just add my favorite dressing and I’m a happy guy!

Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey Sub In A Tub

A Little Prep Goes A Long Way

I do as much preparing ahead of time as I can. That way when it comes time to make my lunch, such as this Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey sub in a tub, I can have it put together in just minutes. I chop a combination of iceberg and green leaf lettuces and put them in a sealable tub with a paper towel to help keep them fresh. I use Roma tomatoes because they hold up well. So, I chop them too and place them into the fridge.

I could pre-cut my sandwich meats and cheese, but I like doing those the day I am having my salad. Who knows, I might change my mind from the day before about what I want on my salad. So I just wait. It’s not like they take that long to cut!

Also try a Penn Station Turkey and Provolone sub in a tub!

Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey Sub In A Tub

Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey Sub In A Tub

Made fresh at home!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place the lettuce into your tub or onto a plate.
  • Layer the sandwich meat slices and roll up like a cigar. Slice with a knife. Add to the lettuce. Note: If your meat slices are too thick to roll up, just slice them into bite-sized pieces instead.
  • Slice the cheese and add to the lettuce along with the tomato and onion.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with your favorite dressing.

Notes

This salad can be made a day ahead. Just cover and store in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 21gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 943mgPotassium: 547mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1281IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword salad, sub in a tub
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Pizza Hut Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

Boy oh boy did this copycat Pizza Hut creamy Italian salad dressing ever bring back memories. I was addicted to this dressing, especially in my college years when you could pick up a personal pan pizza or a hot sub and a side salad for cheap. I’d always ask for extra dressing. I could drink this stuff. I was so happy that this recipe came as close to the original as I’ve found. The right flavor. And the right consistency.

Copycat Pizza Hut Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

Ranch and Xanthan Gum for the Win

There are two keys to making this copycat Pizza Hut cream Italian dressing as close to the original as possible. The first is to use a quality Ranch dressing. One that’s full of flavor. For me, that means Hidden Valley Ranch original. The second is xanthan gum. Found in just about every store-bought food item you can find, it’s a thickener. It’s what gives this dressing that great thickness. A little goes a long ways, so just add the little amount the recipe calls for and let it do its thing.

This dressing is great on a sub sandwich too. Like really great!

This dressing is perfect on a classic diner chef salad!

Copycat Pizza Hut Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

Copycat Pizza Hut Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

Deliciously creamy. A truly wonderful dressing!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad Dressing
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 252 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place all but the xanthan gum into a food processor or blender.
  • Process until smooth and combined.
  • Add the xantham gum and process a little more until thick.

Notes

Stir dressing before serving. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Need ideas for putting together the ultimate salad? Check out my salad inspirations!

Nutrition

Calories: 252kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 345mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 286IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 0.2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword copycat, dressing, Italian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey And Ham Sub In A Tub

You’re right. It’s not complicated. Simple ingredients. Minimal preparation time. But great, fresh results. Sometimes I get mental block as to what kind of salads I want. What toppings do I want? I found that the easiest way to get around my block is to make subs in a tub. Easy salads made using my favorite sub sandwich toppings. Today I made a Subway oven-roasted turkey and ham sub in a tub. No rocket science involved here. Just a good salad!

Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey And Ham Sub In A Tub

A Little Prep Goes A Long Way

I usually have what I call ‘salad weeks’. Yep, a week of salads. I go to the store and load up on fresh ingredients, then prepare them all at once. Or most of them at least. The items that hold up well are prepared ahead of time. Then I can make my Subway oven-roasted turkey and ham sub in a tub, or whatever variation, in no time at all. I just add a few more ingredients, grab my favorite dressing, and it’s time for dinner (or a side!).

Also try my Jimmy John’s Hunter’s Club sub in a tub.

Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey And Ham Sub In A Tub

Subway Oven-Roasted Turkey Sub In A Tub

Made fresh at home!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 332 kcal

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place the lettuce into your tub or onto a plate.
  • Layer the sandwich meat slices and roll up like a cigar. Slice with a knife. Add to the lettuce. Note: If your meats are too thick to roll up, just slice them into bite-sized pieces instead.
  • Slice the cheese and add to the lettuce along with the tomato and onion.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with your favorite dressing.

Notes

This salad can be made a day ahead. Just cover and store in the fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 21gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 943mgPotassium: 547mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1281IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword salad, sub in a tub
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Copycat Classic Diner Chef Salad

I wanted a salad that would harken back to earlier times. When I could walk into a diner, order a burger, some fries, and a salad. This copycat classic diner chef salad reminds me of the salads the waitress would grab out of the little fridge on the counter by the pass to the kitchen. They were usually behind glass doors that slid open. Covered in plastic wrap, they were made fresh every morning. And they always hit the spot. Just like this one. And I always got it with Ranch dressing. Even though they had French. Maybe there were other dressing choices but my brain always stopped once it heard ‘Ranch’.

Copycat Classic Diner Chef Salad

Diners And Salad Bars

Whenever I get lucky enough to find a decent salad bar at a restaurant, which is kinda rare these days, I end up making a copycat classic diner chef salad. Not just because it’s easy. It has all of my favorite things on it. From fresh mushrooms to ham to bacon to green onions. For me, it’s the perfect combination.

There used to be a Ruby Tuesday restaurant by our house that always had the ultimate salad bar. And some of the best Ranch dressing around. I sure miss it. But to make up for it being gone, and there being no good diners near me, I made these at home.

It might seem a bit odd, but I think freshly-shredded cheese is a must on a salad. You want fresh vegetables, why not fresh cheese? That pre-shredded stuff isn’t as creamy. And it’s not as tasty. So I always take the few extra minutes to shred my own.

Also try my copycat McDonald’s chef salad.

Copycat Classic Diner Chef Salad

Copycat Classic Diner Chef Salad

Inspired by a recipe from Berly’s Kitchen
The perfect classic salad.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 251 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 head iceberg lettuce cleaned, cored, sliced or shredded as desired
  • 1 ounce cheddar cheese shredded
  • 12 cherry tomatoes rinsed, halved
  • 1/2 small onion white, red, or sweet, sliced into rings
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms rinsed, sliced
  • 1 medium carrot peeled, sliced or shredded
  • 1/2 medium cucumber peeled, sliced
  • 4 large eggs hard-boiled, peeled, halved
  • 4 slices bacon cooked, chopped
  • 4 green onions rinsed, sliced thin
  • 1/4 cup ham diced
  • Kosher salt to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Assemble your salad by dividing the lettuce between four plates.
  • Add remaining ingredients and season well.
  • Serve with your favorite dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 15gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 213mgSodium: 393mgPotassium: 516mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 3622IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 117mgIron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword classic, salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!