Ruth's Chris Chopped Salad Recipe
Love restaurant salads at home? This Ruth's Chris Chopped Salad Recipe recreates that magic. Crisp veggies, bold flavors and creamy dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 head romaine lettuce chopped fine
- 1 head iceberg lettuce chopped fine
- 2 cups chopped green cabbage
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 cup grape tomatoes halved
- ½ cup crumbled blue cheese
- 6 slices bacon cooked crisp, chopped
- 1 avocado diced
- ½ cup toasted pecans chopped½ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Cook the Bacon
- Fry bacon slices until crispy. About 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Cool completely. Chop into small bits. Bacon adds smoky crunch. Essential flavor base.
Prep All Veggies
- Wash romaine and iceberg. Spin dry. Chop both fine. Dice celery, onion, halve tomatoes. Shred cabbage thin. Dice avocado last. Keep separate bowls. Uniform bite size key.
Make Creamy Dressing
- Blender: mayo, buttermilk, sour cream, vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic, salt, pepper. Pulse smooth. Or whisk vigorously. Taste. Adjust tang. Chill 15 minutes. Flavors marry beautifully.
Toast the Pecans
- Medium skillet, dry. Add pecans. Stir 3 minutes until fragrant. Golden not burnt. Cool completely. Crunch elevates every bite.
Assemble the Base
- Large bowl: all chopped lettuce, cabbage, celery, onion and tomatoes. Toss gently. Even mix. Crisp foundation ready.
Add Toppings
- Scatter blue cheese, bacon, pecans and avocado over top. Light toss. Save some for garnish. Pretty presentation.
Dress and Serve
- Drizzle chilled dressing. Toss coat evenly. Don't drown. Serve immediately. Crunch rules.
Notes
- Chop uniform size. Even eating.
- Make dressing day before. Better flavor.
- Soak onion in ice water. Milder bite.
- Variation: Add grilled chicken.
- Swap blue cheese for feta.
- Make vegan: Tofu bacon, cashew dressing.
- Spice up: Add jalapeños.
- Double pecans for crunch lovers.