Name: Ruth's Chris Chopped Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 head Chopped Romaine Lettuce (Acts as the backbone of the salad, providing crunch and freshness.); 1 medium Cucumber (Chopped for a refreshing crunch; can be omitted or swapped with zucchini.); 1 cup Chopped Tomatoes (Fresh tomatoes add sweetness and color; grape or cherry tomatoes can be used.); 0.25 cup Diced Red Onion (Adds crunch and tang; can be soaked in cold water for a milder taste.); 0.5 cup Chopped Cooked Bacon (Adds savory flavor; turkey bacon can be used for a lighter option.); 0.5 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Provides creaminess; sharp cheddar is recommended, but can be swapped.); 0.25 cup Sliced Black Olives (Adds briny flavor; kalamata olives can be used instead.); 0.5 cup Creamy Salad Dressing (Ranch or blue cheese dressing enhances flavor; vinaigrette is a lighter alternative.)

This Ruth’s Chris Chopped Salad comes together in about 15 minutes and requires no cooking, making it a easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the ingredients to suit your taste or use it as a “clean out the fridge” meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends. Seriously, the versatility here is unmatched!

Ingredient Breakdown

Chopped Romaine Lettuce
Cucumber
Chopped Tomatoes
Diced Red Onion
Chopped Cooked Bacon
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Sliced Black Olives
Creamy Salad Dressing

Let’s Get Cooking!

Combine Ingredients : In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, bacon, cheddar cheese, and black olives. Toss it gently as you watch the colors blend together! It’s so vibrant and pretty!
Dress the Salad : Drizzle your favorite creamy dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Don’t be shy with the dressing; a couple of good dollops really amps up the flavor. Make sure everything gets coated beautifully!
Serve & Enjoy! Serve immediately or refrigerate for later use. It’s perfect for meal prep for those busy weeknights when you need something fast. Trust me, this will be your go-to salad recipe!

Personal Connection

This Ruth’s Chris Chopped Salad is my go-to recipe when I need something quick and comforting. It’s a family favorite that never fails to please, even my picky eater requests seconds! I love how versatile it is; you can use whatever’s on hand. Some nights, I’ll add leftover rotisserie chicken, and other times, I toss in whatever vegetables I need to use up. The best part? It’s always loaded with tons of flavor!

If you loved this chopped salad, be sure to check out my Cabbage and Edamame Salad, my Spring Roll Salad with Peanut Dressing, or my Millionaire Peach Salad!

Why This Recipe Works

Quick & Easy

This salad comes together in under 15 minutes, making it the perfect dish for busy weeknights. Just chop, mix, and serve!

Customizable

One of the greatest aspects of this salad is that it’s totally customizable. Don’t have an ingredient? Swap it out for something you do have. Want to add more veggies? Go for it!

Crowd-Pleaser

Trust me, the whole family will love it. It’s a great way to encourage kids to eat their veggies, especially when loaded with bacon and cheese!

Comfort Food

This is salad like you’ve never seen before! The crunch of fresh veggies combined with creamy dressing and savory bacon is pure bliss. It’s comfort food that’s both light and satisfying.

Great for Meal Prep

You can easily prepare this ahead of time. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. It stays fresh for a couple of days in the fridge!

Serving and Storage Tips

How to Serve This Chopped Salad

This salad is fantastic on its own, but it pairs beautifully with grilled meats, sandwiches, or even a charcuterie board for a casual get-together. It’s also super versatile for lunch the next day, just pack it in a mason jar for an on-the-go meal!

Storage

This chopped salad will keep well in the refrigerator for about 2-3 days, as long as the dressing isn’t added until you’re ready to serve it. The veggies can get a bit sad after a while, so freshness is key!

Reheating Instructions

Technically, you won’t need to reheat this, but if you added chicken or bacon that was previously cooked and refrigerated, a quick nuke in the microwave for about 30 seconds will do the trick. Just watch out not to wilt your lettuce, those greens should stay crisp and fresh.

Freezer Friendly

I wouldn’t recommend freezing this salad. The texture of the veggies, especially the lettuce, would suffer. It’s meant to be fresh and crisp!

And there you have it, my friends! A quick and easy Ruth’s Chris Chopped Salad that will surely become a favorite in your home too. Give it a try, your tastebuds will thank you!

Got any questions or special tips for your own versions of this salad? Drop them in the comments below! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!