Fresh and Tasty Cheese Salad (speedy high protein)

May 18, 2023 Stan

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With summer on its way, it’s the perfect time to try out some new salad recipes and I can’t wait for you to try my tasty cheese salad! If you hate a boring salad and you love cheese this is definitely one for you.

A transparent dish with cheese salad | Hurry The Food Up

I don’t know about you, but when the weather starts warming up I crave healthy meals that are light and simple to make.

This salad is definitely one of those easy recipes as it can be put together in under 15 minutes.

Making it a great option for a quick lunch, or if you don’t want to turn up to a last-minute barbecue empty-handed! (Click this link if you’re trying to find vegetarian recipes for any occasion)

The best thing about cheese salad recipes like this one is they don’t have a lot of ingredients and you can easily find everything you need in the local grocery stores.

Staple salad recipes are a great thing to have in your repertoire if healthy eating is important, but I’ll get into why later one.

The first question you might have though is ‘what cheese should I use?’, so let me explain.

What is the best cheese for salads?

Medium to hard cheese works best in this particular salad as we want to have a little ‘bite’ to it. I love a good cheddar!

To those of you that are new to cheddar cheese then I suggest looking for one that has been matured for about 12 months.

Any less and it won’t have the full tangy flavor that cheddar should have (though you can get away with 9 months at a push).

Much more than 12 months (especially 18 months and above) and we’re starting to head into ‘vintage’ cheddar territory.

While I personally love vintage cheddar, I wouldn’t recommend it as a starting point.

Of course, cheddar isn’t always available – or maybe you just don’t like sharp cheddar. In that case, simply use your favorite cheese.

I would recommend one of these alternatives:

Blue cheese, which is semi-soft and slightly salty. Did you know that the veins on the cheese comes from edible mold it’s made from called Penicillium (sound familiar?).

Feta cheese, another salty favourite! This Greek delight is aged in brine and made with a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk.

Halloumi cheese, hailing from Cyprus also has a salty taste and is delicious when grilled.

Creamy goat cheese, is made purely with goat’s milk and has a nice tart flavor – perfect for a salad!

Of course, there is much more than just cheese in this fine summer salad, so let’s find out what that is!

Ingredients

So we know how important cheese is cheese lover but you need something else with it to make it a salad!

Greens

Any good salad needs some fresh green leaves in it of course, but you don’t have to be complicated or fancy.

I love some simple lettuce, think romaine, or baby gem, which ever you prefer. Or, if you want a bit of color how about some purple kale?

The key is that it’s fresh, that way it will taste amazing and the texture will be good as well, no one wants soggy leafy greens!

Crunch

Why do cheeseburgers have pickles on? Why do people love cheese and pickle sandwiches?

Because cheese and pickles just go together! So I couldn’t make my cheese-layered salad without some pickled gherkins. They add to the tang and crunch factor which I love in a salad.

If you’re not a pickle fan, or you can’t find any you could add some crisp cucumbers instead if you like.

Another crunchy ingredient is red onion. This will add to the crunch and also add a pop of color too!

Dressing

To finish this salad you need the perfect complement and this dressing is just right for that. I mixed extra-virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, and maple syrup (you could also use honey or agave syrup if you want).

To top it off I seasoned it with a pinch of salt and black pepper and some parsley and then you’ve got a banging salad!

How many calories are in salads with cheese?

My salad contains 516 calories and 21 grams of protein.

Here are the other nutritional values from the recipe card:

kcal 516kcal

Carbs 11g

Fat 43g

Protein 21g

Health benefits

Now you might think the healthiest salads wouldn’t have cheese in them, but it’s important to have a balanced diet to be healthy and cheese can absolutely be a part of that.

Although cheese does have a higher calorie count and high amounts of fat and salt, it is also a great source of calcium and protein for vegetarians.

But obviously, if weight loss is a goal of yours it’s all about portion control.

So if you follow my recipe this salad is definitely going to help you reach your protein goals for the day and help you to lose some weight within a calorie-controlled diet.

If you’re going to add an extra handful, or two, then maybe it won’t (no judgment here!).

In terms of the salad leaves, I recommended Romaine or Baby Gem lettuce over Iceberg because other than water there isn’t much nutritional value in Iceberg lettuce.

So definitely opting for a more leafy salad leaf is the best option for nutrition. Not only does it have more fiber but minerals like iron too.

If you’re looking for more meals to help you on your weight loss journey then please download your free 7-day weight loss meal plan.

It is full of inspiration to help you get on track. For even more take a look at the weekly high-protein meal plan for weight loss.

How to make cheese salad?

Time needed: 15 minutes.

The best thing about this recipe is that it’s really quick and easy to make.

Dressing time
Make the salad dressing first so it’s ready for when you need it. Mix the white wine vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, pepper, and olive oil together in a small mixing bowl.
Prep time
Slice the red onion into thin half rings: thin is important. Put them into the dressing to soak. Give the salad leaves a quick clean and dry. Chop or rip it into small pieces and put it in a large bowl.

Slice the cheese into strips and add to bowl. Slice the gherkins into strips as well, and add to the bowl. Give the parsley a quick wash, shake and slice it into small pieces. Add to the bowl.
It’s salad time!
Mix the salad around then pour the dressing over the top. Give it a good mix to make sure everything is fully coated and serve!

A transparent dish with cheese salad is on a checkered tablecloth. Near it, there are a bunch of parsley and a small white bowl | Hurry The Food Up

Cheese salad recipe FAQs

No question is too cheesy for us!

How to store?

This salad is best eaten fresh however if you want to save some for later pop it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.

I would recommend eating it within 2 days so the leaves are at their best.

If you know you’re going to keep some leftovers I would say to keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat it.

What to serve cheese salad with?

I chose to serve my salad with a slice of whole grain bread, you could always toast this or maybe opt for some garlic bread instead.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, you could make this salad ahead during meal prep for a couple of days, but I probably wouldn’t make a week’s worth in case the salad goes bad.

Should I put cheese in my salad?

Cheese is a great addition to any salad, it’s a source of protein and calcium, but just watch how much you use as it can also have a high sodium and fat content.

What makes a salad more delicious?

Adding herbs to a salad is a great healthy way to add flavor. Think classics like basil, parsley, chives, thyme, cilantro, mint, or dill.

You could try a different herb each time and see which works best with your salad.

Can you put cheese in a salad the night before?

I would say put the cheese in on the day you’re going to eat it.

A glass bowl with cheese salad is on a checkered tablecloth. Near it, there are two small bowls with spices | Hurry The Food Up

Recipe variations

If you want to try some variations to this recipe take a look at these:

Add extra veg: Maybe gherkins aren’t your thing but don’t worry you could swap them out or add extra veg such as juicy tomatoes, kalamata olives, bell peppers, or creamy avocado.

Different cheese: I’ve already mentioned plenty of options for delicious cheeses above however if you’re still hungry for more, how about Swiss cheese, mozzarella cheese, or cottage cheese if you prefer?

Different dressing: If you’re not keen on my dressing why not try a simple balsamic vinaigrette or some lemon juice?

More recipes like this

If you love my cheese layered salad check out these recipes:

Fresh and Tasty Cheese Salad

If you hate salads but love cheese then give my cheese salad recipe a try, I guarantee you will change your mind.

Diet: egg-free, gluten-free

Mix the white wine vinegar, mustard, maple syrup (or honey), salt, pepper and olive oil together in a small mixing bowl.
3 tbsp white wine vinegar, ½ tsp mustard, ½ tbsp maple syrup, Salt and pepper to taste, 2 tbsp olive oil
Slice the red onion into thin half rings. Thin is important. Put them into the dressing to soak.
½ red onion
Give the salad a quick clean and dry. Chop or rip it into small pieces and put in a large salad bowl.
2 handfuls salad
Dice the cheese and add to bowl.
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese
Slice the gherkins into strips as well, add to bowl.
4 pickled gherkins
Give the parsley a quick wash, shake and slice it into small pieces. Add to bowl.
1 bunch parsley, fresh
Mix the salad around then pour the dressing over the top. Give it a good mix to make sure everything is fully coated. Serve!