Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
The Classic Columbia 1905 Salad is a timeless favorite, and for good reason. After making it dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect creamy dressing. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Lemon Butter Salmon and Easy One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Rice Dinner.
Why This Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese Is Pure Comfort
- Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner
- Creamy dressing that's out of this world
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins
- Better than takeout and so much cheaper
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
- Honey ham
- Swiss cheese
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Chopped bacon
- Optional: Diced tomatoes
- Optional: Sliced red onions
- Optional: Croutons
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Romaine lettuce: Iceberg or green leaf lettuce can be substituted.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food processor — Ensures even slicing and chopping for perfect texture. → See on Amazon
- Mixing bowls — Keeps ingredients organized and makes prep easier. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
- Prepare lettuce: Wash, dry, and chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl.
- Hard-boil eggs: Boil eggs for 10 minutes, cool, peel, and chop. Add to the bowl with lettuce.
- Prepare ham and cheese: Chop ham and Swiss cheese into bite-sized pieces. Add to the bowl with lettuce and eggs.
- Make dressing: In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine and serve: Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overmix the dressing. It should be creamy, not runny. Add more mayonnaise if needed.
- : For a lighter salad, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream.
- : Make it a meal by adding grilled chicken or shrimp.
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, eggs, ham, and cheese up to a day ahead. Mix dressing just before serving.
Freezing Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
Not recommended for this salad.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Not applicable. Microwave: Not recommended. Dressing may separate.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute any leftover cooked meat or cheese you have on hand.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add a splash of milk or buttermilk to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
Salad spinner — Ensures crisp lettuce every time. Pays for itself vs buying soggy bags of salad. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Honey ham
- Swiss cheese
- Hard-boiled eggs
Seasonings
- Mayonnaise
- Sour cream
- Apple cider vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Chopped bacon
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced red onions
- Croutons
Instructions
- Prepare lettuce: Wash, dry, and chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large bowl.
- Hard-boil eggs: Boil eggs for 10 minutes, cool, peel, and chop. Add to the bowl with lettuce.
- Prepare ham and cheese: Chop ham and Swiss cheese into bite-sized pieces. Add to the bowl with lettuce and eggs.
- Make dressing: In a separate bowl, mix mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Combine and serve: Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute any leftover cooked meat or cheese you have on hand.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes above.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add a splash of milk or buttermilk to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not recommended. Dressing may separate.
- Make ahead: Prepare lettuce, eggs, ham, and cheese up to a day ahead. Mix dressing just before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 20g
- Fat: 38g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sat. Fat: 12g
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, see storage notes above.
You may have added too much vinegar or not enough mayonnaise. Try again, adjusting the balance.
No, this is a cold salad. The air fryer is not suitable for this recipe.
Chopped avocado or chickpeas can be used as a substitute.
The exact origin is unknown, but it's believed to have been created in the 1905s and named after the Columbia Restaurant in Florida.
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!
