Tag: salad

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.

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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
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 251 kcal

Equipment

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!
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Fullstar Vegetable Chopper – Spiralizer Vegetable Slicer – Onion Chopper with Container – Pro Food Chopper – Slicer Dicer Cutter – (4 in 1, White)

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
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 289 kcal

Equipment

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
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Jersey Mike’s Club Supreme Sub In A Tub

I love having a sub in a tub for lunch. They’re super easy to make. They taste just like their sandwich big brothers, but without the bread. Today I made a Jersey Mike’s Club Supreme sub in a tub. I start with a few handfuls of fresh-chopped lettuce. I like a combination of about half iceberg and half green leaf lettuce. Then I add some sliced sandwich meats. In this case, turkey and roast beef. I then grab a few pieces of cooked bacon out of the freezer, microwave it for about 15 seconds, and chop. Next, a little chopped Swiss, tomato and onion. And I never forget some salt and pepper. No salad is complete without it!

Jersey Mike's Club Supreme Sub In A Tub

The Perfect Lunch In A Tub

I use whatever dressing I have on hand to top my Jersey Mike’s Club Supreme sub in a tub. I drizzle a bit over the top then stir it up. One nice thing about making these salads in a tub is that I don’t have to worry about getting all of it coated in my dressing. It’s easy to stir inside the tub.

Cleanup is easy too. Just toss the container into the dishwasher!

Prepare Ahead

The day I make these I just grab containers out of the fridge. The lettuce, tomatoes and onions are already chopped for me. Each in its own container. I spend a little time two days a week getting everything together. After that, it’s just pretty much just ‘everyone into the tub’! For the sandwich meats, I like to stack the meats and then roll them up like a cigar. A quick slice and boom! Cool little meat rolls!

I prefer to bake my bacon. I then freeze it. It’s perfect for topping my salads! It’s ready in seconds, just wrap in a paper towel and microwave for 15 seconds.

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Also try my other sub in a tub ideas!

Jersey Mike's Club Supreme Sub In A Tub

Jersey Mike’s Club Supreme Sub In A Tub

An easy, delicious lunch!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 195 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Place the lettuce into your tub or onto a plate.
  • Layer the turkey sandwich meat slices and roll up like a cigar. Slice with a knife. Add to the lettuce. Repeat with the roast beef.
  • Chop the bacon and add it to the lettuce too.
  • 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: 195kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 10gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 228mgPotassium: 392mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1252IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 191mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Keyword salad, sub in a tub
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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Fullstar Vegetable Chopper – Spiralizer Vegetable Slicer – Onion Chopper with Container – Pro Food Chopper – Slicer Dicer Cutter – (4 in 1, White)