If you’re looking for a way to get more veggies into your diet, the julienne salad is a great option. This isn’t your average side salad: it’s a hearty, visually appealing dish, usually featuring thinly sliced vegetables, proteins, and meats.
One of the best things about a julienne salad is its versatility. It’s a complete meal in itself, and it’s also a fantastic way to use up leftover ingredients in your fridge. The julienne salad is a great way to incorporate fresh, flavorful ingredients into your diet.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of the julienne salad, discuss some of its health benefits, and offer some tips for making your own julienne salad at home.
What is a Julienne?
The word “julienne” refers to a specific way of cutting vegetables. It means slicing them into long, thin strips, about the size of matchsticks.
When you’re making a julienne salad, it’s important to cut all the ingredients evenly. This makes sure that every bite has a good balance of flavors. It also looks more appealing!
You’ll need a sharp knife to julienne vegetables. If you want to speed up the process, you can also use a mandoline, but be careful!
Key Ingredients for a Perfect Julienne Salad
The best part about a julienne salad is how easy it is to customize. But here are some standard ingredients to get you started.
Vegetables
Here are some of the most common vegetables you’ll see in a julienne salad:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumbers
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Radishes
- Romaine lettuce
It’s always best to use the freshest, highest-quality ingredients you can find. Think about which flavors will complement one another in your salad, too.
Proteins
Julienne salads are often a great way to use up leftovers from the fridge, including cooked meats. Here are some popular protein choices:
- Sliced turkey
- Roast beef
- Ham
- Chicken
- Bacon
If you’re going for a vegetarian option, you could include hard-boiled eggs, tofu, tempeh, or legumes such as chickpeas or lentils.
Cheeses
The cheese you choose can really enhance the flavor of your salad. Here are a few cheeses that work well in a julienne salad:
- Swiss cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Provolone
- Mozzarella
As with the other ingredients, consider how the flavors of the cheese will pair with the other components of the salad.
What kind of dressing goes with julienne salad?
The right dressing can make or break a salad. It adds moisture and flavor, and it ties all the ingredients together. To keep your julienne salad from getting soggy, serve the dressing on the side.
Some dressing options that complement julienned vegetables include:
- Lemon Dijon Dressing
- Ranch dressing
- Italian dressing
- Lemon juice and olive oil
- Balsamic glaze or reduction
- Caesar dressing
- Pesto aioli
- Bacon aioli
To pick the best dressing, consider the other ingredients in your salad. Also, dressings usually taste better when they’re closer to room temperature.
Julienne Salad Recipe
Want to try making your own julienne salad at home? Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
- 2 stalks celery, julienned
- 1 large carrot, julienned
- ½ lb. sliced turkey, julienned
- ½ lb. Swiss cheese, julienned
- Dressing of choice
Instructions
- Wash and dry all vegetables.
- Julienne all vegetables, meats, and cheeses.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Serve with your choice of dressing on the side.
Notes
The great thing about a julienne salad is how easy it is to customize. Feel free to experiment with different veggies, proteins, and cheeses to find your favorite combination!
If you’re making this salad ahead of time, store the dressing separately to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy.
Tips for preparing and storing julienne salad
You can easily prep this salad ahead of time if you plan to serve it for a party or gathering.
- Preparing in advance: Chop the meats, cheeses, and vegetables separately. Store them in separate containers.
- Maintaining freshness: Make sure the lettuce is completely dry before you assemble the salad. Don’t add the dressing until you’re ready to serve the salad.
- Storage instructions: Keep the salad components in separate containers in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to 3 days.
That said, this salad tastes best when it’s freshly assembled!
Julienne Salad vs. Chef Salad vs. Cobb Salad
So, what sets a julienne salad apart from other popular chopped salads?
A chef salad is probably the closest thing to a julienne salad. Both salads contain sliced meats, cheeses, and vegetables, usually served over a bed of lettuce. In most cases, you could swap one for the other without much difference.
A cobb salad, on the other hand, brings a little more to the table. While it also contains chopped veggies and meats, it almost always includes avocado, and often features bacon and blue cheese.
Julienne Salad: Variations and Customizations
The Julienne Salad is a classic, but it’s also easy to customize.
- Vegan/Vegetarian: Skip the turkey and hard-boiled egg. Add plant-based protein sources like chickpeas or tofu.
- Seasonal: Change up the vegetables based on what’s fresh and in season. Consider adding fruits like apples or berries.
- Global Flavors: Experiment with different dressings and ingredients. Try an Asian-inspired vinaigrette with sesame oil and soy sauce or a Mediterranean twist with feta cheese and olives.
In Summary
A julienne salad is a quick, easy, and healthy way to add more vegetables to your diet. It’s a great way to use up leftovers, and it’s perfect for meal prepping because it stores so well.
Healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated, and a julienne salad can be as simple or as fancy as you like. The only limit is your imagination (and what you have in your refrigerator).
So, experiment with different vegetables, proteins, and dressings. No matter what you choose, you’re sure to enjoy a fresh and customizable julienne salad.