Craving something light yet satisfying? This ham and cheese salad with homemade ranch dressing is a perfect option. The combination of fresh iceberg lettuce, savory ham, and creamy cheese topped with a rich, tangy ranch dressing makes for a delightful meal.
While most ingredients in this recipe are common, you might need to pick up buttermilk and fresh herbs like Italian parsley and chives. These ingredients add a fresher taste to the homemade ranch dressing and are worth finding at your local supermarket.
Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing
ham: Adds a savory and hearty flavor to the salad.
eggs: Provides protein and a creamy texture when sliced.
iceberg lettuce blend: The crisp base of the salad, offering a refreshing crunch.
mozzarella cheese: Adds a mild, creamy taste to balance the saltiness of the ham.
cheddar cheese: Offers a sharp, rich flavor to the mix.
mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the ranch dressing.
sour cream: Adds tanginess and body to the dressing.
buttermilk: Provides a tangy, smooth consistency to the dressing.
italian parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, earthy flavor.
chives: Contributes a mild onion-like flavor.
onion powder: Adds a subtle onion flavor without the crunch.
garlic: Provides a robust, aromatic flavor to the dressing.
black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the dressing.
salt: Enhances the overall flavors in the dressing.
One reader, Ariella Byrnes says:
This ham and cheese salad with homemade ranch dressing is fantastic! The fresh ingredients and creamy dressing make it a perfect, satisfying meal. The homemade ranch is a game-changer. Highly recommend!
Techniques Required for Making Ham and Cheese Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing
Yes.
How to whisk dressing ingredients: Use a whisk to combine mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, parsley, chives, onion powder, garlic, black pepper, and salt until smooth and well-blended.
How to slice eggs: Use an egg slicer or a knife to cut the boiled eggs into even slices.
How to store dressing: Place the homemade ranch dressing in an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
How To Make Ham and Cheese Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing
Make use of leftover ham in a new way by making this ham and cheese salad. It’s served with a homemade ranch dressing that adds so much flavor to the dish.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2cupsham,shredded or cubed
- 4largeeggs,peeled and sliced, hard boiled
- 24oziceberg lettuce blend
- ¾cupmozzarella cheese
- ¾cupcheddar cheese,(medium or mild )
For Homemade Ranch Dressing:
- ½cupmayonnaise
- ½cupsour cream
- ½cupbuttermilk,then more as needed
- 2½tbspfresh Italian parsley,finely chopped
- 1½tbspfresh chives,chopped
- ½tsponion powder
- 1clovegarlic,(1 tsp), minced
- ½tspfreshly ground black pepper
- ¼tspsalt
Instructions
Ranch Dressing:
-
Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Add additional buttermilk if needed 1 tablespoon at a time to reach desired consistency (it should be somewhat thick, not very runny). Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Salad:
-
Divide lettuce among 4 large salad bowls. Top with ham and cheese.
-
Add one sliced egg to each salad. Drizzle with ranch and serve immediately after adding dressing.
Nutrition
- Calories: 826.48kcal
- Fat: 65.27g
- Saturated Fat: 24.66g
- Trans Fat: 0.31g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 20.02g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 16.85g
- Carbohydrates: 14.87g
- Fiber: 2.28g
- Sugar: 6.46g
- Protein: 44.82g
- Cholesterol: 348.95mg
- Sodium: 2011.66mg
- Calcium: 589.04mg
- Potassium: 838.99mg
- Iron: 2.93mg
- Vitamin A: 351.02µg
- Vitamin C: 9.44mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfecting Your Homemade Ranch Dressing
When making the homemade ranch dressing, finely mince the garlic and fresh herbs to ensure they blend smoothly into the dressing. This will help create a more uniform texture and enhance the flavor distribution throughout the salad.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Salad Recipe
Pre-chop ingredients: Prepare the ham, cheese, and lettuce blend in advance and store them in airtight containers.
Boil eggs ahead: Hard-boil the eggs the night before and keep them in the refrigerator.
Use pre-shredded cheese: Opt for pre-shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese to save time.
Batch make dressing: Double the ranch dressing recipe and store the extra in the fridge for future use.
Organize your workspace: Keep all your ingredients and tools within reach to streamline the salad assembly process.
Substitute Ingredients For Ham and Cheese Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe
ham - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast provides a similar texture and protein content but is lower in fat and sodium.
eggs - Substitute with tofu: Tofu can mimic the texture of hard-boiled eggs and is a great plant-based protein alternative.
iceberg lettuce blend - Substitute with romaine lettuce: Romaine lettuce offers more nutrients and a slightly different texture while still providing a crisp base for the salad.
mozzarella cheese - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese adds a tangy flavor and crumbly texture, which can enhance the overall taste of the salad.
cheddar cheese - Substitute with gouda cheese: Gouda cheese offers a creamy texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor that complements the salad well.
mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor while being lower in fat and calories.
sour cream - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt offers a similar tangy flavor and creamy consistency but with fewer calories and fat.
buttermilk - Substitute with almond milk with lemon juice: Almond milk with a splash of lemon juice can mimic the tanginess and consistency of buttermilk while being dairy-free.
fresh italian parsley - Substitute with cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh, slightly citrusy flavor that can add a different but pleasant twist to the dressing.
fresh chives - Substitute with green onions: Green onions offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used in the same quantity.
onion powder - Substitute with shallot powder: Shallot powder provides a slightly sweeter and more complex onion flavor.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic for a more subtle and evenly distributed garlic flavor.
freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile that can add a unique twist to the dressing.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a more nuanced flavor and is often considered a healthier alternative to regular table salt.
Presenting Your Ham and Cheese Salad Beautifully
Use a large, shallow bowl: Choose a wide, shallow bowl to allow for a beautiful presentation of the iceberg lettuce blend and other ingredients.
Layer the ingredients: Start with a bed of iceberg lettuce blend, then evenly distribute the ham and cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese on top.
Perfectly cooked eggs: Slice the eggs into quarters or halves and arrange them symmetrically around the salad for visual appeal.
Drizzle the dressing artistically: Use a squeeze bottle to drizzle the homemade ranch dressing in a zigzag or circular pattern over the salad, ensuring an even distribution without overwhelming the ingredients.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle finely chopped fresh italian parsley and fresh chives over the top for a burst of color and freshness.
Add a touch of crunch: Consider adding a few croutons or toasted nuts for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
Serve immediately: Present the salad as soon as the dressing is added to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and the freshness of the other ingredients.
Essential Tools for Making a Delicious Ham and Cheese Salad
Mixing bowl: Use this to whisk together all the ingredients for the homemade ranch dressing.
Whisk: Essential for blending the dressing ingredients smoothly.
Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk for the dressing.
Measuring spoons: Use these to measure out the parsley, chives, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic clove for the dressing.
Cutting board: Use this as a surface to chop the fresh parsley and chives.
Chef's knife: Essential for chopping the parsley and chives, and slicing the eggs.
Airtight container: Store the homemade ranch dressing in this to keep it fresh in the refrigerator.
Salad bowls: Use these to divide the lettuce and assemble the salad.
Kitchen scale: Helpful for measuring out the ham and cheeses accurately if needed.
Egg slicer: Convenient for slicing the boiled eggs evenly.
Tongs: Useful for tossing and serving the salad.
Storing and Freezing Your Ham and Cheese Salad
- The ham and cheese salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, it's best to store the salad ingredients and dressing separately to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy.
- To store the salad ingredients, place the ham, cheese, and eggs in separate airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Store them in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the salad.
- The homemade ranch dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Give it a good stir or shake before using it on the salad.
- If you want to freeze the ham and cheese salad, it's best to freeze the ham and cheese separately. Place them in freezer-safe containers or resealable plastic bags and store them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
- To freeze the homemade ranch dressing, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dressing cubes to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Thaw the cubes in the refrigerator overnight before using them on the salad.
- When ready to serve, assemble the salad by placing the lettuce in a large bowl and topping it with the thawed ham, cheese, and eggs. Drizzle the homemade ranch dressing over the top and toss to coat evenly.
Interesting Fact About Ham and Cheese Salad
A fun fact about this ham and cheese salad is that the homemade ranch dressing can be customized to your taste by adjusting the herbs and spices. For instance, you can add dill or cilantro for a different flavor profile.
Is Making Ham and Cheese Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
Analyzing the cost-effectiveness of this ham and cheese salad with homemade ranch dressing, it scores a solid 8 out of 10. The iceberg lettuce blend and ham are relatively inexpensive, while the eggs and cheeses add nutritional value without breaking the bank. The homemade ranch dressing uses common pantry items like mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk, making it both affordable and healthier than store-bought versions. For a household of 4, the approximate cost is around $15-$18 USD, making it a budget-friendly yet delicious option.
Is This Salad Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
This ham and cheese salad recipe, while tasty, may not be the healthiest option due to several factors:
- The salad relies heavily on high-fat ingredients such as mayonnaise, sour cream, and cheese, which can contribute to excessive calorie intake.
- Ham is often high in sodium, which can lead to increased blood pressure and other health issues when consumed in excess.
- Iceberg lettuce is low in nutrients compared to other leafy greens like spinach or romaine lettuce.
To make this salad healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace half of the mayonnaise and sour cream with plain Greek yogurt to reduce fat content while maintaining a creamy texture.
- Use a leaner protein source, such as grilled chicken or turkey, instead of ham to reduce sodium intake.
- Swap iceberg lettuce for more nutrient-dense greens like spinach, arugula, or a spring mix.
- Incorporate additional vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, or bell peppers to increase fiber and vitamin content.
- Reduce the amount of cheese used or opt for lower-fat varieties to decrease overall fat and calorie content.
- Use fresh herbs like dill or basil to add flavor without relying on excessive salt or fat.
By making these adjustments, you can transform this salad into a more balanced and nutritious meal that still satisfies your taste buds.
Editor's Opinion on This Delightful Ham and Cheese Salad Recipe
This ham and cheese salad with homemade ranch dressing is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of savory ham, creamy cheeses, and crisp lettuce creates a satisfying base. The homemade ranch dressing, with its fresh herbs and balanced seasoning, elevates the dish to a new level. The addition of sliced eggs adds richness and protein, making it a well-rounded meal. Overall, this recipe is simple yet sophisticated, perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner.
Enhance Your Ham and Cheese Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Similar Salad Recipes to Try
Appetizer and Dessert Ideas to Complement Your Salad
Why trust this Ham and Cheese Salad with Homemade Ranch Dressing Recipe:
This ham and cheese salad with homemade ranch dressing is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The fresh herbs in the dressing elevate its taste, making it far superior to store-bought versions. Using fresh ingredients like Italian parsley and chives ensures a burst of flavor in every bite. The combination of mozzarella and cheddar cheese adds a rich, creamy texture that complements the crisp lettuce. This recipe is not only easy to follow but also guarantees a satisfying and nutritious meal.
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