Vibrant Chopped Salad with Zesty Lemon Basil Dressing
Indulge in the refreshing flavors of this Vibrant Chopped Salad, inspired by an exquisite dining experience at Ruth's Chris Steak House. This colorful creation combines an eclectic mix of fresh vegetables and toppings, making it highly customizable to suit your taste preferences. The crispness of iceberg lettuce, the peppery bite of radicchio, and the earthy richness of mushrooms create a delightful base, perfectly accented by the zesty Lemon Basil Dressing. Crispy bacon, creamy blue cheese, and the savory crunch of onion rings (or a simple substitute) elevate this salad from ordinary to extraordinary. Perfect for a light main dish or as a side, this recipe serves 4-8, so gather your friends or family and enjoy a beautiful bowl of health and flavor!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Iceberg lettuce
8 cups (Packed julienne strips or chopped; can substitute romaine lettuce)
Fresh spinach
1 cup (Packed julienne strips)
Radicchio
1 cup (Packed julienne strips)
Red onion
1/3 cup (Very thin slices or chopped)
Green olives
1/2 cup (Chopped)
Fresh mushrooms
6 ounces (Sliced, washed, and drained)
Eggs
4 (Hard-boiled and chopped)
Hearts of palm
1 (14 ounce) can (Chilled, rinsed, well-drained, and sliced)
Applewood-smoked bacon
1/2 lb (Chopped and fried until crisp, drained)
Blue cheese
1 cup (Crumbled (4 oz.))
Croutons
1/2 cup (For added crunch)
Cherry tomatoes
To taste (Halved)
Crispy fried onions
For garnish
Sour cream
2 cups (Alternatively, use 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup mayonnaise)
Fresh basil
1/4 cup (Chopped)
Fresh lemon juice
4-5 tablespoons (Juiced from 1 lemon)
Seasoned salt
To taste
Garlic pepper seasoning
To taste
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the julienne strips of iceberg lettuce, fresh spinach, and radicchio. Add the sliced red onion, chopped green olives, sliced mushrooms, hard-boiled eggs, sliced hearts of palm, and crispy bacon. Toss until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
2
Gently fold in the crumbled blue cheese and croutons. Drizzle about 1/2 to 3/4 of the prepared Lemon Basil Dressing over the salad and toss again until everything is well-coated.
3
Divide the salad mixture evenly among 4 dinner plates. Garnish each plate with halved cherry tomatoes and a sprinkle of crispy fried onions on top.
4
For the Lemon Basil Dressing, mix together the sour cream, chopped fresh basil, and fresh lemon juice in a bowl. Season with seasoned salt and garlic pepper to taste. Stir until smooth and well combined. Refrigerate any leftover dressing for future use.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vibrant Chopped Salad?
It is a colorful creation combining fresh vegetables and toppings with a zesty Lemon Basil Dressing, inspired by a dining experience at Ruth's Chris Steak House.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the exquisite salad served at Ruth's Chris Steak House.
How many people does this salad serve?
This recipe serves between 4 and 8 people, making it perfect for families or small gatherings.
What are the primary greens used in this salad?
The base consists of iceberg lettuce, fresh spinach, and radicchio.
Can I substitute the iceberg lettuce?
Yes, romaine lettuce can be used as a substitute for iceberg lettuce if preferred.
What type of bacon is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of applewood-smoked bacon, chopped and fried until crisp.
What kind of cheese is added to the salad?
One cup (4 oz.) of crumbled blue cheese is used in this recipe.
How should the hearts of palm be prepared?
They should be chilled, rinsed, well-drained, and then sliced before being added to the mix.
What are the ingredients for the Lemon Basil Dressing?
The dressing contains sour cream, chopped fresh basil, fresh lemon juice, seasoned salt, and garlic pepper seasoning.
Is there an alternative to using only sour cream in the dressing?
Yes, you can use a mixture of 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup mayonnaise instead of 2 cups of sour cream.
How should the mushrooms be prepared?
The 6 ounces of fresh mushrooms should be washed, drained, and sliced.
What is used as a garnish for the finished salad?
The salad is garnished with halved cherry tomatoes and crispy fried onions.
How do I prepare the eggs for this salad?
You need 4 eggs that are hard-boiled and chopped.
How should the greens be cut?
The iceberg lettuce, fresh spinach, and radicchio should be cut into packed julienne strips.
What type of olives are used?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of chopped green olives.
How much red onion is needed?
You will need 1/3 cup of red onion, either very thinly sliced or chopped.
Can I store leftover dressing?
Yes, any leftover Lemon Basil Dressing should be refrigerated for future use.
What provides the savory crunch in this salad?
The crunch comes from crispy bacon, croutons, and crispy fried onions.
Is this salad suitable as a main course?
Yes, it is designed to be perfect for a light main dish or as a side salad.
What seasonings are used in the dressing?
The dressing is seasoned with seasoned salt and garlic pepper seasoning to taste.
How many total ingredients are listed in this recipe?
There are 18 total ingredients required for the salad and dressing.
How much lemon juice is needed for the dressing?
The recipe calls for 4 to 5 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, typically from 1 lemon.
What is the first step in assembling the salad?
Combine the lettuce, spinach, radicchio, onion, olives, mushrooms, eggs, hearts of palm, and bacon in a large bowl and toss.
When should the blue cheese and croutons be added?
They should be gently folded in after the main vegetables and bacon have been combined.
How much dressing should be applied to the salad?
Drizzle about 1/2 to 3/4 of the prepared dressing over the salad and toss until well-coated.
What kind of flavor profile does radicchio add?
Radicchio adds a peppery bite and earthy richness to the salad base.
Can this salad be made vegetarian?
Yes, by omitting the bacon, this salad can easily be adapted as a vegetarian option.
What can I use if I don't have crispy fried onions?
You can use onion rings or a similar crispy substitute for the garnish.
How much fresh basil is required?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil.
How is the salad presented?
The salad mixture is divided evenly among 4 dinner plates and then garnished before serving.