The 1905 salad recipe is one of the most iconic salads to ever come out of a restaurant kitchen. And honestly, once you try it, you’ll understand exactly why.
This famous salad was born at the Columbia Restaurant in Tampa, Florida, the oldest restaurant in the state. It’s been a crowd-pleaser for decades, and the combination of crisp iceberg lettuce, julienned ham and Swiss cheese, tangy olives, and a garlicky olive oil dressing is nothing short of phenomenal.
The best part? You can make it at home in about 15 minutes.
Whether you’ve had the real thing in Florida or you’re trying it for the first time, this copycat 1905 salad recipe is the perfect way to bring that restaurant magic to your dinner table.
What Is a 1905 Salad?
The 1905 salad gets its name from the year the Columbia Restaurant first opened its doors in Tampa’s historic Ybor City neighborhood. The salad itself was actually created in the 1940s by a waiter named Tony Noriega.
As the story goes, Tony got hungry after a long shift and threw together whatever he could find in the kitchen. Iceberg lettuce, baked ham, Swiss cheese, olives, tomatoes, and a simple garlic and olive oil dressing.
What started as a late-night kitchen snack turned into one of the most beloved salads in American restaurant history. It even earned the Columbia a spot on USA Today’s list of “10 Great Places to Make a Meal of a Salad.”
Not too shabby for a midnight snack, right?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t just another boring garden salad. The 1905 salad is hearty, flavorful, and satisfying enough to serve as a full meal.
The julienned ham and Swiss cheese give it plenty of protein, while the Spanish olives add a salty, briny punch that takes everything to the next level.
And that dressing? Trust me, it’s the real star of the show. The combination of extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, and white wine vinegar creates a bright, zesty flavor that coats every leaf.
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a splash of Worcestershire sauce give it that signature savory depth that makes you want to lick the bowl clean.
Ingredients You’ll Need
One thing I love about this recipe is how simple the ingredient list is. You probably have most of these in your kitchen already!
For the salad:
- Iceberg lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
- Ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
- Baked ham, julienned into thin strips
- Swiss cheese, julienned into thin strips
- Spanish olives (pimento-stuffed), pitted
- Grated Romano cheese for finishing
For the dressing:
- Extra virgin olive oil (Spanish olive oil is traditional)
- Minced garlic
- Dried oregano
- White wine vinegar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh lemon juice
- Salt and pepper
That’s it! No fancy ingredients, no hard-to-find items. Just good, simple food that tastes incredible together.
How to Make a 1905 Salad
This recipe comes together super fast, and there’s no cooking involved. Here’s how to make it at home.
Step 1: Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, dried oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk in the olive oil and white wine vinegar until everything is well combined. Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
For the best flavor, make the dressing 1 to 2 days ahead of time and let it hang out in the fridge. The garlic and oregano really get a chance to meld together, and it’s so worth the wait.
Step 2: Assemble the salad. In a large salad bowl, toss the torn iceberg lettuce with the dressing until every leaf is nicely coated.
Step 3: Add the toppings. Arrange the julienned ham, Swiss cheese strips, tomato wedges, and Spanish olives over the dressed lettuce.
Step 4: Finish and serve. Sprinkle a generous amount of grated Romano cheese over the top and give it one more gentle toss. Serve immediately!
Tips for the Best 1905 Salad
Use iceberg lettuce for this recipe. I know romaine and mixed greens are popular, but the crisp crunch of iceberg is what makes this salad so special. It holds up to the dressing without getting soggy.
Cut the ham and Swiss cheese into thin, matchstick-like strips (julienne). This gives you a little bit of meat and cheese in every single bite, which is the way it’s meant to be enjoyed.
Go for Spanish pimento-stuffed olives specifically. They add that authentic briny, slightly sweet flavor that regular black olives just can’t replicate.
Don’t skip the Worcestershire sauce in the dressing. It adds a subtle umami depth that makes the whole thing come alive.
And definitely squeeze in that fresh lemon juice right at the end. It brightens up the entire salad and ties all the flavors together.
What to Serve With 1905 Salad
Since this salad has roots in Spanish and Cuban cuisine, it pairs perfectly with dishes like Cuban sandwiches, black beans and rice, or garlic bread.
You could also serve it alongside grilled chicken, steak, or seafood for a complete meal. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own, but it also makes a fantastic side dish.
For a true Columbia Restaurant experience, serve it with some warm, crusty Cuban bread on the side. You won’t regret it!
How to Store Leftovers
If you have any leftover 1905 salad, store the undressed salad components in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Keep the dressing separate in a small jar or container. This way, the lettuce stays crisp and doesn’t get wilted or soggy.
When you’re ready to eat, just toss the salad with the dressing, add fresh Romano cheese, and you’re good to go!
1905 Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups iceberg lettuce torn into bite-sized pieces
- 2 ripe tomatoes cut into wedges
- 1/2 cup baked ham julienned into thin strips
- 1/2 cup Swiss cheese julienned into thin strips
- 1/4 cup Spanish pimento-stuffed olives pitted
- 1 tablespoon Romano cheese grated
For the Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil Spanish olive oil preferred
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, dried oregano, and Worcestershire sauce. Gradually whisk in the olive oil and white wine vinegar until emulsified. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- For the best flavor, refrigerate the dressing for 1 to 2 days before using to allow the flavors to meld together.
- In a large salad bowl, tear the iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Pour the dressing over the lettuce and toss well to coat every leaf.
- Add the julienned ham, Swiss cheese strips, tomato wedges, and Spanish olives to the bowl.
- Sprinkle the grated Romano cheese over the top. Give the salad one final gentle toss and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
This 1905 salad recipe is a true classic that has stood the test of time for a reason. It’s simple, it’s satisfying, and it’s bursting with flavor.
Whether you’re serving it as a main course or as a side, this salad never disappoints. The combination of crisp lettuce, savory ham, creamy Swiss cheese, and that incredible garlic dressing is a match made in heaven.
Give it a try and see for yourself. I promise you’ll be making this one on repeat!
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