Dinner

Easy Chef Salad Meal Prep Recipe

Name: Easy Chef Salad Meal Prep Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2/3 cup mayonnaise; 1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup; 1 1/2 tablespoons dill pickle relish; 1 teaspoon lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika; 1/8 teaspoon granulated sugar; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 4 cups packed chopped romaine lettuce or green salad mix; 4 large eggs; 6 ounces sliced deli ham; 6 ounces sliced deli smoked turkey; 2-4 slices cheddar cheese; 2-4 slices swiss cheese; 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes; 1 small cucumber; 1/2 cup jarred sliced pepperoncinis, patted dry; Optional: homemade croutons; Optional: chopped herbs such as parsley and dill

ByJulian Dempsey November 2, 2025November 2, 2025

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Introduction

This Easy Chef Salad Meal Prep is a colorful and satisfying way to enjoy a classic deli salad throughout the week. With a tangy homemade dressing and a variety of fresh ingredients, it’s perfect for quick lunches or light dinners. Ready in about 30 minutes, it makes healthy eating convenient and delicious.

Ingredients

2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons ketchup
1 1/2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/8 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 cups packed chopped romaine lettuce or green salad mix
4 large eggs
6 ounces sliced deli ham
6 ounces sliced deli smoked turkey
2–4 slices cheddar cheese
2–4 slices Swiss cheese
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
1 small cucumber
1/2 cup jarred sliced pepperoncinis, patted dry
Optional: homemade croutons, chopped herbs such as parsley and dill

Instructions

Step 1: Hard-boil the eggs using your preferred method. The 5-5-5 Instant Pot method works well, or use the traditional stovetop method. Once cooked, place eggs in an ice bath, peel, roughly chop, and set aside.
Step 2: Make the dressing by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, dill pickle relish, lemon juice, onion powder, sweet paprika, sugar, and sea salt in a small bowl. Stir well until smooth and set aside. For best flavor, refrigerate the dressing for at least 24 hours before use.
Step 3: Prepare the salad ingredients: stack and roughly chop the deli ham and smoked turkey into square pieces. Repeat with the cheddar and Swiss cheese slices. Leave the tomatoes whole to reduce moisture.
Step 4: Half peel the cucumber to create stripes, then chop into quarter-moon slices. Pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Optionally, scrape out seeds before chopping for a firmer texture. Make sure the lettuce is washed and thoroughly dried.
Step 5: Assemble the salad by dividing the chopped lettuce into four meal prep containers. Top each with a quarter of the chopped deli meats, cheeses, and one hard-boiled egg. Distribute the tomatoes, cucumber, and pepperoncinis evenly among the containers.
Step 6: Store the dressing separately in small containers to keep the salad fresh. Seal all containers and refrigerate. This salad keeps well for up to 3 days.

Tips & Variations

For added crunch, sprinkle homemade croutons or toasted nuts just before serving.
Fresh herbs like parsley or dill add bright, fresh flavors—chop and mix in before eating.
Use low-fat mayonnaise or Greek yogurt in the dressing for a lighter option.
To reduce salad moisture and sogginess, keep dressing separate until ready to eat.
Swap deli meats for cooked chicken or roast beef for variety.

Storage

Store the assembled salad components and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The salads maintain best quality for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing chilled and pour it over the salad just before eating to prevent sogginess. If desired, gently toss before serving for even coating.

How to Serve

The image shows a rectangular clear glass container divided into colorful sections of food on a white marbled surface. In the top right corner is a small round metal cup filled with light pink creamy dressing with visible spices. Below the dressing, layers from left to right include chopped pale green cucumber pieces, bright orange cubes of cheddar cheese next to lighter yellow cheese cubes, pale pink pieces of chopped ham, and hard-boiled egg slices with yellow yolks at the bottom left. At the top left corner, there are sliced yellow pickled peppers and red and yellow cherry tomatoes sitting on a bed of green leafy spinach. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this salad dressing in advance?

Yes, the dressing benefits from resting in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. Store it in a sealed container until ready to use.

How do I prevent the salad from getting soggy during meal prep?

Keep the dressing separate from the salad ingredients until you’re ready to eat. Also, pat vegetables like cucumber dry and leave tomatoes whole to reduce moisture. Using crisp lettuce and drying it thoroughly helps maintain freshness.