Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese

The Classic Columbia 1905 Salad is a cozy, hearty dish that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to the perfect dressing. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spiced Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting and Crispy Chipotle Honey Chicken Thighs with Gouda Mashed Potatoes.

Why This Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese Is Pure Comfort
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect for holiday gatherings and parties
- Better than takeout with a unique flavor combination
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
- Iceberg lettuce
- Ham
- Swiss cheese
- Red onion
- Celery
- 1905 dressing
- Olive oil
- White wine vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Optional: Bacon bits
- Optional: Parmesan cheese

📝 Ingredient Notes
- Romaine lettuce: Use the inner leaves for the best texture.
- 1905 dressing: You can find this at your local grocery store or make your own.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Salad spinner — Ensures crisp lettuce every time. → See on Amazon
- High-quality chef's knife — Makes prep work a breeze. → See on Amazon

How to Make Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
- Prepare the lettuce: Wash and dry the romaine and iceberg lettuce. Chop them into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, red onion, and celery. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with bacon bits and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese
- Common mistake and fix: Don't over-dress the salad. Start with half the dressing, toss, and add more if needed. This prevents a soggy salad.
- Pro tip: For a crunchier salad, add the dressing just before serving.
- Pro tip: To make ahead, prepare the dressing and chop the lettuce up to a day in advance. Store separately and combine just before serving.
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 in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the dressing and chop the lettuce up to a day in advance.
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 applicable.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some diced jalapeños to the salad.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham for turkey or chicken.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4-6. To scale, adjust the ingredients proportionally.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add a little more vinegar to thin it out.
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Cozy Classic Columbia 1905 Salad with Ham and Swiss Cheese

Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Romaine lettuce
- Iceberg lettuce
- Ham
- Swiss cheese
- Red onion
- Celery
Seasonings
- 1905 dressing
- Olive oil
- White wine vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt
- Pepper
Optional Toppings
- Bacon bits
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the lettuce: Wash and dry the romaine and iceberg lettuce. Chop them into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, red onion, and celery. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve: Serve immediately, topped with bacon bits and Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some diced jalapeños to the salad.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the ham for turkey or chicken.
- Make-ahead: See storage notes for make-ahead tips.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4-6. To scale, adjust the ingredients proportionally.
- Troubleshooting: If your dressing is too thick, add a little more vinegar to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for this salad.
- Oven reheat: Not applicable.
- Microwave reheat: Not applicable.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the dressing and chop the lettuce up to a day in advance.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 25g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 9g
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, you can prepare the dressing and chop the lettuce up to a day in advance. Store separately and combine just before serving.
You may have used too much dressing. Start with half the dressing, toss, and add more if needed.
Yes, it's a hearty, flavorful dish that's perfect for holiday gatherings and parties.
No, the air fryer is not suitable for this recipe.
You can substitute the ham for turkey or chicken.
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!






