1905 salad with homemade dressing – easy and authentic

If you have the iconic 1905 salad of a Columbia restaurant in Florida, you know that the hype is authentic. Crispy, tangy garlic and totally addictive. And the best part? You can recreate the same magic at home with simple ingredients and zero stress.

This Copycat 1905 salad recipe is my favourite when you want something fast, fresh and full of flavor. Perfect as a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or as a star of a summer potluck show.

What is 1905 salad?

The 1905 salad was born in Columbia Restaurant, Florida’s oldest restaurant (1905). What began as a simple staff meal has become one of the most beloved dishes. It has serious staying power – and a bite will tell you why.

This salad is all about contrast. Crispy iceberg lettuce, salty ham, nut Swiss cheese, briny olives, juicy tomatoes, and bold garlic sherry vinaigrette that brings it all together. It’s a retro classic and somehow still feels modern.

Why do you like this salad?

Big flavor, simple ingredients – there are no flashy tricks here. 15 Minute Preparation – Perfect for busy weekday nights and lazy weekends. Makeup Friendly – Dressing can be prepared in advance. Customizable – Change ham, cheese or add protein to make it your own.

Necessary materials

For salads:

Head of iceberg lettuce, 1/2 cup chopped 1/2 cup Swiss cheese, shredded 1/2 cup ham, Juliennedo (using deli style or remaining baked ham) 1 medium tomato 1/4 cup green Spanish olives, 2 tablespoons sliced ​​pecorino cheese (optional)

For dressing:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons finely chopped white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons 2 teaspoons 1/2 teaspoons lemon 1/2 lemon 1 flake dried oregano salt and black pepper flake

How to Make a Salad in 1905 (Step by Step)

Make a dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. Let them sit while preparing the salad. Give the garlic time. Build a salad base
In a large salad bowl, mix the chopped iceberg lettuce, shredded Swiss cheese, Julienned ham, diced tomatoes and sliced ​​olives. Dress and toss
Pour the dressing into the salad just before serving. Throw everything together until it’s well coated. Finish with Pecorino
Sprinkle grated Parmesangan over top to finish off a salty nut. It’s an option, but I highly recommend it.

Best 1905 Salad Pro Tips

Use fresh garlic – don’t skip! That’s what gives the dressing a kick. Chill your lettuce – Ice Kurd lettuce = Maximum crunch. Let the dressing sit – a few minutes of rest will mellow the garlic and add flavor. Throw it just before serving – this salad is perfect when it’s very fresh.

Variations and swaps

Cheese Swap: Try Pro Volone, Manchego or Mozzarella cheese. Protein Boost: Add grilled shrimp, chicken, or chickpeas. Do you have ham? Use turkey or skip the meat completely.

What to serve with 1905 salad

Garlic toast or crusty Cuban bread grilled steak, roast chicken or grilled fish with chilled glass of sauvignon blanc or lemon and iced tea

Make-ahead & storage

Dressing: Can be made 4-5 days in advance. Store in a fridge jar. Salad: Prepare the components in advance, but do not toss them until they are ready. Leftovers: Once you’re dressed, the salad won’t feel well. Eating fresh food is the best!

You need to try more retro salad recipes

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💬Let’s talk about salads

Did you grow up eating a 1905 salad? Have you eaten at a Columbia restaurant? Tell me in the comments – I love listening to your foodie stories! And don’t forget to leave a star rating when you try this recipe. It will help more people find recipes!

1905 Salad

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This 1905 salad recipe is a fresh, flavorful imitation of the iconic dishes served at Columbia restaurants in Florida. Made with crunchy iceberg lettuce, flavorful ham, Swiss cheese, briny olives and bold garlic vinaigrette, this is the perfect blend of old-school charm and long-awaited flavour. Ready to prepare in just 15 minutes, this retro salad is easy to throw together and guaranteed to impress any table.

Preparation time 15 Min Min

Total time 15 Min Min

course salad

cooking Americans

Serving 4

calorie 367 kcal

1905 salad recipe notes

Use fresh garlic to give it the best flavor. The raw garlic gives the dressing the distinctive bold bite.

Chill the lettuce before throwing max crunch and restaurant style texture.

After mixing, let the dressing sit for 10 minutes and mix with the garlic flavor in a mellow way.

Throw it just before serving to prevent the salad from getting soaked.

Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas and add extra protein to your diet.

Are you a Ham fan? Swap it for turkey, rotisserie chicken or leave it to the vegetarian version.

Make a hint first: All components can be prepared and dressed up for up to one day. Separate until ready to serve.

Storage: Eating fresh food is the best. Once you’re dressed, leftovers are not stored well.

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calorie: 367kcalcarbohydrates: 7gprotein: 9gfat: 35gSaturated fat: 7gcholesterol: twenty fourmgsodium: 285mgfiber: 2gsugar: 3gcalcium: 167mgiron: 1mg

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