Keto Chef Salad
A loaded, protein-packed keto chef salad with ham, turkey, hard-boiled egg, and cheddar over crisp romaine, finished with a tangy mustard vinaigrette. Just 5.2g net carbs per serving and ready in only 20 minutes of hands-on time — a satisfying, no-cook keto lunch.
Head of Nutrition · June 18, 2026
Nutrition per serving
Per serving · makes 2. Values are estimates; brands vary.
This loaded keto chef salad turns a pile of crisp romaine into a real meal, with three kinds of protein, sharp cheddar, and a punchy mustard vinaigrette. It comes together in 20 minutes with zero cooking, making it the perfect low-carb lunch.
Ingredients
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 4 oz deli ham, sliced into strips
- 4 oz deli turkey breast, sliced into strips
- 4 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cut into thin batons
- 2 large hard-boiled eggs, halved
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 medium cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1
Divide the chopped romaine between two large plates or wide bowls, spreading it into an even bed.
- 2
Arrange the ham, turkey, and cheddar in neat rows over the lettuce. Tuck the halved hard-boiled eggs along one side.
- 3
Scatter the cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and black olives across the top.
- 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
- 5
Drizzle the vinaigrette over each salad just before serving and enjoy immediately.
Tips & notes
- Swap the ham and turkey for leftover rotisserie chicken or crisp bacon to use what you have on hand — keep total deli meat around 8 oz to hold the macros.
- Keep the dressing separate if packing for lunch; the assembled salad (undressed) stays crisp in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- For extra fat and richness, add 1/2 a sliced avocado per plate (adds about 1g net carb per serving).
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Frequently asked questions
- How many carbs are in keto chef salad?
- This keto chef salad has 5.2g net carbs per serving, along with 545 calories, 38g protein, and 40g fat. The recipe makes 2 servings.
- Can I make this chef salad ahead of time?
- Yes. Assemble the salad without dressing and store it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the mustard vinaigrette in a separate container and toss it on just before eating so the romaine stays crisp.
- What dressing is best for a keto chef salad?
- A simple olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon vinaigrette is ideal because it adds healthy fat with virtually no carbs. Ranch or blue cheese dressing also works well on keto — just check the label and avoid versions with added sugar.
