Country Club Salad
The Country Club Salad is a fresh, vibrant dish that combines crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, savory sliced turkey or ham, creamy hard-boiled eggs, and cheese, all brought together with a creamy or tangy dressing. It’s quick to prepare, customizable, and perfect for a light lunch or elegant dinner, delivering a perfectly balanced combination of textures and flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (mostly for bacon and boiling eggs)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook/Assembly
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Omnivore (customizable to vegetarian, dairy-free, or low-carb)
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Base
- 4 cups crisp lettuce (iceberg or romaine), washed and dried
- 1 cup ripe cherry or plum tomatoes, sliced
- 1 cup cucumber slices
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered
- 1 cup cheddar or Swiss cheese, cubed
Proteins and Add-ins
- 6 ounces cooked turkey or ham, thinly sliced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
- 1 avocado (optional), sliced
Dressing
- Mayonnaise, ranch dressing, or tangy vinaigrette (amount to taste, typically 1/4 to 1/3 cup)
Instructions
- Prep Your Fresh Ingredients: Wash and dry the lettuce thoroughly to ensure crispness. Slice the tomatoes and cucumbers evenly. Peel and quarter the hard-boiled eggs, and cube the cheese. Having these components prepped makes assembly smooth.
- Prepare the Protein: Thinly slice cooked turkey or ham. Cook bacon until crispy and crumble it into pieces. Ensure meats are at room temperature to keep the salad fresh.
- Assemble the Salad Base: Layer the chopped lettuce in a large bowl or on individual plates. Arrange tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, and cheese on top in an appealing pattern to add visual appeal.
- Add Meats and Optional Avocado: Evenly scatter the sliced turkey or ham and bacon bits over the salad. If using avocado, add sliced pieces last to prevent browning and keep them fresh.
- Dress and Serve: Drizzle your choice of dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently if you prefer a blended taste, or leave as is to savor distinct layers. Optionally, finish with freshly ground pepper or fresh herbs.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Chill your serving bowl to keep the salad crisp longer.
- Prep vegetables and proteins ahead to speed up assembly.
- Balance crunchy, creamy, and chewy textures for interest.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper on vegetables before adding dressing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Find it online: https://amandafood.com/country-club-salad/