Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Love a good salad? This classic Columbia 1905 Salad with ham and Swiss cheese is the best, better than takeout. After making it dozens of times, I’ve perfected the technique. The crispy lettuce and melty cheese make it irresistible. Start with my Easy Roasted Rainbow Vegetables for a perfect side. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Roasted Rainbow Vegetables and Easy Chipotle Corn Salsa Recipe for Summer Snacks.
Why This Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy lettuce and melty cheese
- Quick and easy to make
- Perfect for busy weeknights
- Better than takeout
What You'll Need for Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Romaine lettuce
- Hickory smoked ham
- Swiss cheese
- Red onion
- Tomatoes
- Ranch dressing
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Bacon bits
- Optional: Croutons
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Romaine lettuce: Use hearts of romaine for the best crunch.
- Hickory smoked ham: Deli ham works great. Avoid pre-sliced ham for the best texture.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Salad Spinner — Ensures crisp lettuce every time → See on Amazon
- Sharp Kitchen Knife — Makes prep work a breeze → See on Amazon
How to Make Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the dressing: Whisk together ranch dressing, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Chop the lettuce: Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl.
- Add toppings: Top lettuce with diced ham, Swiss cheese, red onion, and tomatoes. Add bacon bits and croutons if desired.
- Toss and serve: Toss salad with dressing just before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overdress the salad. Add dressing just before serving to prevent soggy lettuce.
- Tip: Use a salad spinner to ensure crisp lettuce.
- Tip: For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs.
Storing & Reheating Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dressing and chop the lettuce up to a day ahead. Add toppings just before serving.
Freezing Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not recommended for reheating.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños.
- Best substitution: Substitute provolone or cheddar cheese for Swiss cheese.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad is too dry, add a bit more dressing.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality salad bowl — Keeps your salad fresh and crisp → Check price on Amazon
Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Hickory smoked ham
- Swiss cheese
- Red onion
- Tomatoes
Seasonings
- Ranch dressing
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Bacon bits
- Croutons
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Whisk together ranch dressing, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Chop the lettuce: Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl.
- Add toppings: Top lettuce with diced ham, Swiss cheese, red onion, and tomatoes. Add bacon bits and croutons if desired.
- Toss and serve: Toss salad with dressing just before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños.
- Best substitution: Substitute provolone or cheddar cheese for Swiss cheese.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your salad is too dry, add a bit more dressing.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended for reheating.
- Make ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop the lettuce up to a day ahead. Add toppings just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 80mg
- Sat. Fat: 10g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, prepare the dressing and chop the lettuce up to a day ahead. Add toppings just before serving.
You likely overdressed the salad. Add dressing just before serving to prevent soggy lettuce.
Not applicable. This is a no-cook salad.
Provolone or cheddar cheese works well as a substitute.
Yes, it's fresher, cheaper, and just as delicious as takeout.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
