• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Fresh Flavorful

  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Entertaining
    • Adventuring
    • About
    • Clients
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Lunch and Dinner

    Chef’s Garden Salad with Herb Cider Vinaigrette

    Chef’s Garden Salad with Herb Cider Vinaigrette is an updated classic featuring the very best of the season’s fresh produce.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    An entrée salad full of hearty ingredients, it makes a beautiful display while entertaining or a simple warm weather meal.

    Easy spring entree salad

    Chef’s salads are traditionally made with iceburg lettuce, eggs, tomatoes, deli meats and cheeses. But this version is lightened up with fresh greens, avocado, almonds, Parmesan, and fried ham strips. Plus a homemade herb salad dressing made with flavorful healthy ingredients.

    I love when I first go out to the garden and find that there is something ready to harvest. This salad uses the ingredients that are ready first – chive blossoms, herbs, mixed greens, arugula and radishes.

    For the warm days of spring when you just want an easy combination of fresh vegetables and protein this updated version of the classic Chef’s salad is a perfect answer.

    Ingredients

    • Garlic – anti bacterial, anti viral and high in antioxidants. Garlic is also a great source of selenium. And has been shown to have a healing effect on circulatory, digestive and immunological systems while lowering blood pressure.
    • Fresh herbs – high in vitamins A, C, K and polyphenols. Herbs are potent antioxidants with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects. 
    • Apple cider vinegar – high in acetic acid apple cider vinegar has been shown to aid in the absorption of nutrients. And neutralizes body’s ph levels (amongst many other health claims).
    • Extra virgin olive oil – rich in oleic acid, a super healthy monounsaturated fatty acid believed to help reduce inflammation. Loaded with vitamins E and K. And rich in antioxidants, including oleocanthal. Olive oil may help treat or prevent many diseases.

    Customize it

    This salad is easily adaptable. Choose the ingredients that are fresh at the farmer’s market, ready to harvest in your garden or available in your fridge. Use whichever dressing you prefer (a homemade green goddess or balsamic vinaigrette would be delicious) and any protein and cheese you have on hand. Replace the meat with beans or quinoa for a well rounded vegan version.

    Serving suggestions

    Displaying this salad artfully to make it super aesthetically appealing. And make the salad feel just a bit more special. But layering on a platter also helps prevent softer ingredients, like avocados and eggs, from getting mushy. And for picky kids, entree salads on platters make it easy to pick and choose what ends up on the plate.

    How to make ahead

    Salad can be prepared ahead of time and covered and chilled. When ready to serve, add cheese, almonds, avocado and top with dressing. 

    Storage

    Dressing keeps for a week or more in the refrigerator. The olive oil will form a lump when chilled, simply remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before using to allow it to liquefy. Shake well before serving to re-emulsify.

    Chef's Garden Salad with Herb Cider Vinaigrette is an updated classic featuring the very best of the season's fresh produce.

    Chef’s Garden Salad with Herb Cider Vinaigrette

    An updated version of the classic, this Chef’s Garden Salad with Herb Cider Vinaigrette features the very best of the season’s fresh produce.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    chef’s salad, entree salad recipe, Garden salad
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 651kcal
    Author: Tristin Rieken

    Ingredients

    • 5 cups mixed greens
    • 1 cup arugula
    • 1 large carrot
    • 2 tablespoons chive blossoms when available
    • 1 medium avocado
    • 1 cup raw almonds
    • 3-4 medium radishes sliced
    • ¼ cup parmesan shredded
    • 1 cup sliced ham fried and cooled ham steaks or deli ham
    • 3 large eggs hardboiled

    herb cider vinaigrette

    • 1 clove garlic
    • ⅔ cup fresh basil leaves
    • ¼ cup flat leaf parsley
    • 3 tablespoons chives minced
    • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

    Instructions

    • Prepare salad ingredients – tear lettuce into bite size pieces. Slice carrot into ribbons with a vegetable peeler, peel and slice avocado and cut radishes.
    • Arrange salad ingredients on a large platter.  
    • Top with dressing and serve.

    herb cider vinaigrette

    • Chop garlic, slice basil into ribbons and chop herbs. 
    • Add garlic to a small jar with salt and vinegar, add herbs and olive oil. 
    • Shake until combined.
    • For a smoother dressing, add all ingredients (except olive oil) to food processor or blender and pulse until smooth. Then, slowly add olive oil until combined.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 651kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 180mg | Sodium: 1181mg | Potassium: 947mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 4709IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 239mg | Iron: 4mg
    Made this recipe? Please share!Mention @freshflavorful or tag #FreshFlavorfulLife
    Nutrition Facts
    Chef's Garden Salad with Herb Cider Vinaigrette
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 651 Calories from Fat 486
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 54g83%
    Saturated Fat 10g63%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 180mg60%
    Sodium 1181mg51%
    Potassium 947mg27%
    Carbohydrates 17g6%
    Fiber 9g38%
    Sugar 3g3%
    Protein 30g60%
    Vitamin A 4709IU94%
    Vitamin C 27mg33%
    Calcium 239mg24%
    Iron 4mg22%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Pin for later!

    Chef's Garden Salad with Herb Cider Vinaigrette is an updated classic featuring the very best of the season's fresh produce.

    SHOP THIS POST

    please note: ONE armed MAMA is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. These customized links, provided by Amazon, track the referrals to their website for the purposes of assigning commission on these sales.

    « Caprese Pasta Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
    Chewy Chocolate Homemade No Bake Granola Bars »
    168 shares
    • Share9
    • Tweet

    If you make this or any of Fresh Flavorful recipes be sure to share! Tag @freshflavorful on instagram or post a photo to the Fresh Flavorful Life Facebook page. Can't wait to see what you're making!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. financial advisor

      July 02, 2017 at 8:54 pm

      Great post.

      Reply
    2. best financial advisors

      July 04, 2017 at 6:25 pm

      Hmm it appears like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for inexperienced blog writers? I’d really appreciate it.|

      Reply
    3. health coverage

      July 05, 2017 at 11:24 pm

      Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the knowledge you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, superb blog!

      Reply
    4. Gilda

      August 15, 2018 at 9:56 am

      Hey very interesting blog!

      Reply
    5. Snack Subscription

      October 12, 2018 at 5:50 am

      Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post.
      Thank you for providing these details.

      Reply
    6. Apex Legends Octane

      April 06, 2019 at 12:31 am

      Very good article! We are linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the great writing.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    hey there!

    Hello! I'm Tris. Welcome to Fresh Flavorful where I hope to inspire you with simple recipes and ideas to eat deliciously, entertain easily and adventure often. More →

    reader favorites

    Vibrant Chewy Blueberry Cookies are a naturally colored purple cookie bursting with fresh blueberry flavor from fresh or frozen berries! blueberry cookies | blueberry recipes | blueberry desserts | purple foods

    Vibrant Purple Chewy Blueberry Cookies

    Blackberry infused iced earl grey tea with a splash of cream

    Blackberry Tea Iced Tea Latte

    Banana Chiffon Cake a light, fluffy cake with tender bite and rich banana flavor. chiffon cake | chiffon cake recipe | chiffon cake with lemon glaze | ripe banana recipes

    Banana Chiffon Cake

    Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch big batch cocktail for holiday parties fresh cranberry puree citrus ice cubes vintage tequila punch #ad

    Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch

    Footer

    Inspired by the beauty of gathering round a table Tristin Rieken shares ideas for living a Fresh, Flavorful Life!

    Inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest recipe developer and food photographer, Tristin Rieken, shares easy recipes and simple ideas for eating, entertaining and adventuring your way to a Fresh Flavorful Life.

    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Let’s work together!
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 Fresh Flavorful on the Foodie Pro Theme

    168 shares