Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
Make this Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese for a cozy, hearty appetizer. After making it dozens of times, I discovered the trick to perfectly crispy lettuce. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Refreshing Pineapple Margarita Mocktail Recipe and Easy Bruschetta with Heirloom Tomatoes and Fresh Basil.
Why This Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy lettuce and melty cheese
- Hearty and satisfying
- Better than takeout
- Easy to customize
What You'll Need for Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Romaine lettuce
- Ham
- Swiss cheese
- Red onion
- Tomatoes
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Bacon
- Optional: Hard-boiled eggs
- Optional: Avocado
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Romaine lettuce: Iceberg or green leaf lettuce can be substituted.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Salad Spinner — Ensures crispy lettuce every time → See on Amazon
- Mandoline Slicer — Slices lettuce and veggies evenly and quickly → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
- Prepare lettuce: Wash and dry romaine lettuce. Thinly slice using a mandoline or sharp knife.
- Cook bacon: If using, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Make dressing: Whisk together vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, ham, cheese, onion, and tomatoes. Toss with dressing. Top with bacon, if using.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overdress the salad. Add dressing gradually to avoid soggy lettuce.
- Pro tip: For extra crispy lettuce, soak sliced lettuce in ice water for 10 minutes before spinning dry.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare lettuce and dressing up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
Not recommended.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not necessary. Microwave: Not recommended.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise in the dressing.
- Best substitution: Use your favorite deli meat instead of ham.
- Make-ahead: Prepare lettuce and dressing up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your lettuce is still soggy, try adding more dressing gradually to re-crisp it.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality cutting board — Makes prep work easier and safer → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Ham
- Swiss cheese
- Red onion
- Tomatoes
Seasonings
- Apple cider vinegar
- Olive oil
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Bacon
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Avocado
Instructions
- Prepare lettuce: Wash and dry romaine lettuce. Thinly slice using a mandoline or sharp knife.
- Cook bacon: If using, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- Make dressing: Whisk together vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, ham, cheese, onion, and tomatoes. Toss with dressing. Top with bacon, if using.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for some of the mayonnaise in the dressing.
- Best substitution: Use your favorite deli meat instead of ham.
- Make-ahead: Prepare lettuce and dressing up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If your lettuce is still soggy, try adding more dressing gradually to re-crisp it.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Oven reheat: Not necessary.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended.
- Make ahead: Prepare lettuce and dressing up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese FAQs
Yes, prepare lettuce and dressing up to 1 day ahead. Combine just before serving.
You may have overdressed the salad. Try adding more dressing gradually to re-crisp it.
Yes, iceberg or green leaf lettuce can be substituted for romaine.
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
Yes, feel free to customize this salad with your favorite add-ins.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese 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!
