Viral Ruth’s Chris Chopped Salad with Creamy Dressing

Side Dish Healthy Copycat Recipe

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Ruth's Chris Chopped Salad Copycat

★★★★★ 4.9 from 142 reviews

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Servings 4 servings

■ Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 4 cups iceberg lettuce, finely chopped
• 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
• 1 cup radicchio, chopped
• 1/2 cup diced red onions
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup green olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (or feta for a lighter taste)
• 4 strips crispy bacon, crumbled
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped

For the Lemon-Basil Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Garnish (Optional):

• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra crumbled blue cheese

■ Instructions

1. 1

   Whisk the dressing components: Inside a small bowl, combine the quarter-cup of olive oil, two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, one tablespoon of red wine vinegar, one teaspoon of Dijon mustard, one teaspoon of honey, and two tablespoons of finely chopped fresh basil. Incorporate salt and black pepper according to your taste preferences, continuing to whisk steadily until the mixture emulsifies completely. Set it aside so the aromatic basil flavors can thoroughly develop while you work on the rest of the preparation.

2. 2

   Prepare the bacon and eggs: Cook the four strips of bacon in a frying pan over medium heat until they reach a golden, crunchy texture. Move them onto a plate lined with paper towels to drain any remaining grease, then break them into bits once they have cooled. Concurrently, place the two eggs into a small pot filled with water, bring it to a rolling boil, and let them simmer for 9 to 10 minutes. Cool the boiled eggs under cold running tap water, remove their shells, and dice them into bite-sized pieces.

3. 3

   Combine the salad base: In a large serving bowl, toss together the four cups of finely chopped iceberg lettuce, one cup of chopped baby spinach, and one cup of chopped radicchio to achieve an ideal balance of texture and color. Introduce the half-cup of diced red onions, half-cup of diced celery, half-cup of chopped mushrooms, half-cup of sliced green olives, and half-cup of halved cherry tomatoes. Use salad tongs to gently blend all these items together, ensuring a uniform distribution throughout the bowl.

4. 4

   Integrate proteins and dressing: Scatter the half-cup of crumbled blue cheese, the chopped hard-boiled eggs, and the crumbled bacon over the vegetable base. Drizzle the homemade lemon-basil dressing over the top, starting out with just half of the mixture and adding more as desired. Toss the ingredients thoroughly until everything is delicately coated; the greens should look shiny and moist without pooling liquid at the bottom.

5. 5

   Chill and present: To mimic the classic steakhouse style, pack the combined salad into a round culinary mold or small individual bowls and keep them in the refrigerator for roughly 10 minutes prior to serving. This short chilling interval firms up the greens, making them exceptionally crisp and vibrant. Top with additional fresh basil leaves and a sprinkling of extra blue cheese before bringing it to the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this copycat Ruth's Chris chopped salad so unique?

The secret lies in the uniform, fine chop of all ingredients and the distinct presentation. Mincing the iceberg lettuce, spinach, and radicchio into tiny pieces ensures you get every element—salty bacon, sharp blue cheese, earthy mushrooms, and zesty dressing—in a single, perfectly balanced bite. Chilling it briefly in a round mold before serving gives it that iconic restaurant finish.

Can I substitute the blue cheese if I prefer a milder flavor profile?

Absolutely! While sharp blue cheese provides the traditional, bold contrast characteristic of steakhouse menus, swapping it out for crumbled feta cheese offers a wonderful, lighter tang. Alternatively, finely shredded white sharp cheddar or goat cheese crumbles work beautifully to maintain a rich, premium flavor profile.

How far in advance can I prepare this recipe for an event?

You can chop all the vegetable components, crisp the bacon, boil the eggs, and whisk the lemon-basil dressing up to 24 hours in advance. Store the dressing separately in an airtight jar and keep the chopped ingredients in distinct containers. Combine, dress, and mold the salad right before serving to maintain an incredibly crisp, uncompromised texture.