Everyone loves a House Salad from their favorite restaurant. It's the perfect starter to any meal and loaded with tons of flavor thanks to all those crisp vegetables and croutons. If you're lucky, you might even get an extra sprinkle of Cheddar cheese and a crumble of bacon.
Making a classic, American House Salad at home is easier than you think, and after you know what goes in a House Salad, all that's left is to toss it all together and serve. Today we're going to cover the ingredients that go in a House Salad, plus everything you need to know to make it as good as your favorite restaurant's!
The House Salad is strangely named don't ya think? Seeing as how we mostly eat it when we are out at a restaurant? Just about all mainstream, American restaurants serve them up - Cheddar's, Chili's, Outback, Applebees - just to name a few, and if you're looking to copycat one of those restaurant's House Salad, you've come to the right place. I think it's high time we changed things up and bring it home, right where it belongs. Regardless of which spot serves up your favorite salad, the ingredients and the process remain the same and making it is not only going to be a cinch, it's going to be a fraction of the cost.
WHAT GOES IN A HOUSE SALAD
- Crisp Lettuce (such as Romaine or Iceberg -- often times mix of the two)
- Firm Tomatoes
- Sliced Cucumber
- Red Onions
- Croutons
- Cheddar Cheese (optional)
- Crumbles of Bacon (optional)
CHOOSE TOMATOES FOR YOU SALAD WISELY
Most tomato varieties tend to get grainy and dull in flavor outside of the summer months, but Campari and Vine-Ripened tomatoes are great options for larger tomatoes. They tend to keep both a more vibrant color and flavor even outside of tomato season.
If you plan to use one of these varieties for your salad, take care to remove the seeds before adding them to the salad so they don't water down your lettuce. If you don't want to mess with seeding tomatoes, try using grape or cherry tomatoes for your salad.
THE "OPTIONAL" INGREDIENTS
Don't forget about the Cheddar cheese and bacon. I mean, we're eating a pretty healthy serving of vegetables, here -- think we earned the right to a few carbs.
If you've never grated your own cheese, this house salad is a great place to start. I promise you will taste the difference between freshly grated cheese and the pre-packaged stuff.
HOW TO MAKE A HOUSE SALAD AT HOME
House salad is really a very simple salad to make and doesn't require to much time in the prep department. To make one at home you'll first need to start with crisp lettuce. Romaine, Green Leef, and Iceberg are all excellent lettuce varieties for a house salad. Other vegetables often included are cucumber, red onion, and tomatoes. Red onions are best for salad as they tend to have a milder way about them than their white/yellow counterparts.
Simply combine the ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine. That's all there is to making a House Salad at home!
HOUSE SALAD DRESSING RECIPES
Most restaurants will offer a variety of dressings to top off a House Salad. You can purchase your favorite store-bought salad dressing, or make any one of these homemade dressings:
MAKE-AHEAD SALAD INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOUSE SALAD
If you're making the salad ahead of time, just leave the cucumbers, cheese, croutons, and dressing on the side, and your lettuce should stay nice and crisp for up to 24 hours.
When it all comes together, all that's left is to dress it up and serve it up. My all-time favorite dressing for a House Salad is a classic, homemade ranch dressing. You can get that recipe here if you'd like.
It's a salad you won't want to leave home without...or rather, for. Quick and easy to assemble, and perfect for a simple healthy lunch or dinnertime side salad. Please, enjoy.
MORE RESTAURANT-STYLE SALADS:
- The Classic Wedge Salad is a steakhouse favorite, and a seriously easy salad to make at home! Serve it topped with crispy bacon and a homemade chunky blue cheese for your next steak night in!
- Caesar Salad with a Creamy Parmesan Dressing is great to serve alongside pasta dishes or as its own entree! Top it with chicken or shrimp and call it dinner!
- Panera's Fuji Apple Chicken Salad has become a cult classic! It's a flavorful salad, full of chicken, blue cheese, and dried apples.
- For even more flavorful and filling salad ideas, check out over 20 Hearty Salad Recipes you'll love!
Classic House Salad
Ingredients
- 4 c Mixed Romaine and Green Leaf Lettuce washed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 11/2 c Grape Tomatoes
- 1 ½ c Cucumber sliced at a ¼” bias
- 1 c Croutons separated
- ¾ c Red Onion halved and thinly sliced
- ⅔ c Freshly Grated Cheddar Cheese separated
- ½ c Salad Dressing
- ¼ c crispy bacon crumbles
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl, toss together lettuce, half of the croutons, about two-thirds of the cheese, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion. Add the dressing of your choice and toss to coat. Top with remaining croutons, cheese, and bacon and serve right away.
- Serves 4
Nutrition
Jacqui says
It is quite exciting to see that you prefer ranch dressing for a house salad. I love it, too! And mostly because it is quick to assemble, like you mentioned, and super healthy. Great recipe!
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Jacqui! Ranch and House Salad go together like peanut butter and jelly 😉
Fred says
I agree with you Kelly, House salads need to be mad at home because that's where our healthy habits begin. Thanks for sharing this wonderful, flavorful salad!
Kelly Anthony says
Thanks so much, Fred!
Stine Mari says
I have never heard of a house salad before, but I do eat a similar dish all the time at my house so to me the name makes sense. Delicious!
Gloria says
This is the perfect salad for lunch or dinner. Served on it's own, or as a great side. You can never go wrong with a house salad. Guess that is why they are an item on most restaurant menus.
Jere Cassidy says
I love a good house salad and I agree with the freshly grated cheese, it does make a difference.
Amanda says
This salad looks perfect and versatile for so many meals. I love a good ranch dressing. Thanks for sharing!
Adriana Lopez Martin says
There is nothing like a good fresh and crunchy salad. Salads are so essential to include in the menu and using simple ingredients makes them accessible and unique. Great pics!
Catherine Brown says
What a perfect salad! Love the creaminess of ranch dressing too... and I'm so glad you leave some peel on the cucumbers as well, lots of nutrients there. 🙂
Linda says
I adore a simple and yet colorful plate of lunch (or dinner) like this. House salad is a perfect name for this as it gives you comfort in every bite! Do you recommend adding non-ranch dressing to it?
Arjhon says
I love how simple and easy to prepare this salad is. We love fresh salad and it is a must-have on our weekly menu. Thank you for the inspiration.
Stephanie Simmons says
This is such a great recipe to have on hand for an easy side dish to any meal! Bookmarking this one 🙂
April says
This is my kind of salad. So simple fresh and delicious! I'm adding this salad to my meal prep meals this week but I think I may throw in some chicken.
Kelly Anthony says
Yes! Genius idea!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Yum! Love all kinds of salad, but this is such a classic! Love how quick it is to put together too...definitely yummy with ranch dressing 😉
Elaine Benoit says
Sometimes, I love traditional salads and by traditional, I mean the ones I ate growing up. Your salad looks delicious! Even though it's simple, it looks chock full of flavor! And yes, we have to have cheese, croutons AND bacon! 🙂
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life says
Yes! I love a good house salad and I love your suggestions for additional toppings like bacon or cheese. I bet that really takes it up a notch!
prasanna hede says
Loved this salad,simple and yet full of flavors and very healthy! Love Ranch dressing too for my salads.
Veronika's Kitchen says
I love house salad! It is so easy to make it) Croutons for me are the best part! I think I'll make it for dinner tonight)
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Veronika! Me too!! All about the croutons and bacon over here 😉
Lorie says
Once you grate your own cheese, nothing compares to it. And especially on a good salad—love this classic!
Monica | Nourish + Fete says
Love a classic, simple salad like this - it's such a nice recipe to have in your back pocket! And you're so right about the freshly grated cheese - it makes a world of difference!
Nicolas Hortense says
Definitely need to start buying vine-ripened tomatoes more often. Everything about them is just so much better. Especially when making a gorgeous salad like this (:
Leslie Haasch says
I'm so glad that I'm not the only person that likes restaurant's house salads enough that I want to make them at home 🙂
Tammy says
Nothing beats a simple salad like this! Which reminds me, I need to pick up croutons. They just complete it...this looks perfect!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
I love a simply and classic house salad! This looks so healthy and refreshing. Just what my dinner table needs these days!
Emily Leary says
i absolutely love a tasty, fresh home made salad and your recipe looks delicious. Croutons are a great addition and I know my husband would definitely ask for some bacon!
Kelly Anthony says
Who could blame him 😉
Jeannette (Jay Joy) says
Thank you for this! People assume that it's just known how to make this salad. It isn't! It goes perfectly with lasagne and homemade ranch dressing.
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Jeanette! Oh my goodness -- it so does! YUM!
Emily says
That's so funny about house salads being served in restaurants. It's like how we park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.
The salad looks great though. I am fully behind your push to make house salads at home for once.
Sherri says
In this house, cheese is never "optional." LOL 😉 And I'm with you on grating fresh cheese rather than buying pre-shredded. Totally makes all the difference! A beautiful and delicious salad! 🙂
Jenna says
You're so right, I love a house salad! And I love your tips on tomatoes. They can make or break a house salad.
Dianna says
Great looking classic house salad recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you, Dianna!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I love a good house salad -- and frankly I think they make a great main course. Definitely making this one!
Jill says
Homemade is always best. This salad looks just like what I could order in my favorite restaurant! Do you have a homemade ranch dressing recipe?
Emily says
Thanks for the tomato tips. I usually steer clear of all tomatoes in the off seasons, so I was happy to hear about these two varieties.
Taylor Kiser says
I could eat one of these house salads every day! So delicious!
Sharon Chen says
I love salads and these are great selections. Thank you for the dressing tips!
Cindy says
We have been spending a lot more time in the kitchen, cooking as a family lately. It has been fun to involve the kids with recipe research and cooking! We found your recipe and we made it today! It was a success and a hit with everybody!
Jennifer Allen says
Sometimes simple is best! I love a good house salad and this recipe nails it! Perfection!
Shannon says
This was soooo good. It's a super versatile salad that we eat with many meals.
Haley D Williams says
Sticking to the classics is always the best! i love a good salad! Simple yet delicious!
HANNAH HEALY says
I love a house salad! This will be the perfect recipe to recreate dining out at a restaurant while I'm stuck at home!