Ultimate Chef’s Salad with Seafood & Emmentaler
By Chef Ed

This isn’t your everyday chef’s salad—it’s an indulgent, flavor-packed creation that combines crisp garden vegetables with succulent seafood, smoky bacon bits, and the nutty richness of melted Emmentaler cheese. Chef Ed’s version brings a gourmet twist to the classic, turning a humble salad into a full, satisfying meal that balances texture, taste, and nutrition.

Ingredients

For the Salad Base:

  • 6 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, arugula)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cucumber, sliced into half-moons
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 boiled eggs, halved
  • 1 avocado, sliced

For the Proteins:chef salad, seafood salad, chef ed recipe, emmentaler cheese, melted cheese salad, shrimp salad, crab salad, bacon salad, gourmet salad, hearty salad, healthy salad, protein salad, bacon and cheese, avocado salad, meal salad, full meal salad, greens with seafood, shrimp and crab, mixed greens, salad dinner, homemade dressing, red wine vinaigrette, fresh salad ideas, seafood with cheese, chef salad deluxe, salad with bacon, artisan salad, salad for lunch, colorful salad, melted cheese topping, emmentaler recipes, swiss cheese salad, chef ed gourmet, fancy salad, dinner salad, chef ed cooking, emmentaler melt, healthy lunch, salad with boiled eggs, crab meat salad, shrimp and avocado, bacon bites salad, vinaigrette salad, classic chef salad, chef salad remix, elevated salad

  • 1 cup cooked shrimp, chilled
  • 1 cup lump crab meat (or imitation crab if preferred)
  • 8 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 cup shredded Emmentaler cheese (melted over seafood or served warm on top)

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp white wine
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: squeeze of lemon for brightness

Instructions

1. Prep the Ingredients
Wash and dry all vegetables thoroughly. Chop or slice as listed above and set aside in chilled bowls. Hard-boil the eggs (about 9 minutes), peel, and halve. Cook bacon until crisp, then crumble. Melt Emmentaler in a small nonstick pan or microwave until soft and just gooey (don’t overcook).

2. Cook the Seafood
If using raw shrimp, boil or sauté until pink and cooked through, about 2–3 minutes per side. Chill immediately. Pick over the crab meat for any shell pieces and gently chill as well.

3. Assemble the Salad
Start with a generous layer of mixed greens in a wide bowl or platter. Neatly arrange the veggies, boiled eggs, shrimp, crab, bacon bits, and avocado in sections for visual appeal. Drizzle melted Emmentaler over the seafood or place cheese in the center for guests to mix in.

4. Make the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, garlic, and seasoning. Shake or whisk vigorously until emulsified.

5. Finish & Serve
Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving or serve it on the side. Garnish with fresh herbs (parsley or dill) for a fresh touch.

Health Benefits

This chef’s salad delivers lean protein from seafood, healthy fats from avocado, and antioxidants from colorful veggies. Emmentaler cheese offers a good source of calcium, and homemade vinaigrette avoids the additives found in bottled dressings. Bacon adds flavor chef salad, seafood salad, chef ed recipe, emmentaler cheese, melted cheese salad, shrimp salad, crab salad, bacon salad, gourmet salad, hearty salad, healthy salad, protein salad, bacon and cheese, avocado salad, meal salad, full meal salad, greens with seafood, shrimp and crab, mixed greens, salad dinner, homemade dressing, red wine vinaigrette, fresh salad ideas, seafood with cheese, chef salad deluxe, salad with bacon, artisan salad, salad for lunch, colorful salad, melted cheese topping, emmentaler recipes, swiss cheese salad, chef ed gourmet, fancy salad, dinner salad, chef ed cooking, emmentaler melt, healthy lunch, salad with boiled eggs, crab meat salad, shrimp and avocado, bacon bites salad, vinaigrette salad, classic chef salad, chef salad remix, elevated saladin moderation, keeping the salad satisfying without being overly indulgent.

Tips from Chef Ed

  • Upgrade the crab: If possible, use real lump crab meat for sweetness and texture.
  • No Emmentaler? Try Gruyère or Swiss cheese as alternatives.
  • Meal Prep Ready: Prep all ingredients in advance and assemble just before eating.

Why It Works
This isn’t just a salad—it’s a meal. Juicy shrimp, rich crab, salty bacon, and creamy melted cheese make it feel like an indulgence, but it’s balanced by crisp greens and a fresh, tangy dressing. Every bite is rich, clean, and packed with variety.

References

  • USDA FoodData Central. (2024). Nutritional Information: Shrimp, Crab, Emmentaler Cheese.
  • Harvard School of Public Health. (2023). The Health Benefits of Leafy Greens.
  • Mayo Clinic. (2023). Homemade Salad Dressing vs. Store-Bought.

 

Chef Ed’s Ultimate Seafood Chefs Salad

 

Chef Ed’s Ultimate Seafood Chefs Salad