Columbia's 1905 Salad Recipe (2024)

Learn to make this delicious and authentic 1905 salad, made famous by the Columbia restaurant.

You don’t need to travel to Florida to enjoy this fresh and tangy salad because it’s simple to make at home, with the most amazing dressing, made from scratch.

What is 1905 Salad?

First, let me tell you about the Columbia restaurant! The Colombia is believed to be the first and oldest restaurant in the state of Florida. Opened in Tampa in 1903 by a Spanish-Cuban immigrant, it’s a destination because of its long history as well as its amazing menu.

If you have the opportunity to visit one of their locations, you won’t regret it, but if you can’t quite make it to Florida right now, you can easily bring the flavors of their famous salad to you, wherever you are!

This recipe is a copycat version of Colombia restaurant’s original 1905 salad, with a few small tweaks that I think make it even better.

1905 salad is similar to a chef salad or julienne salad, with lettuce, turkey, cheese, tomatoes, and olives. What makes this salad different and memorable is the dressing.

It’s based on the garlic dressing that Cubans used to marinate roast pork and it’s like nothing else you’ve had!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love recipes like this one that requires absolutely no cooking! It’s perfect for hot summer days when turning on the oven sounds like a really bad idea, or for busy weeknights when you don’t want to hang out in front of the stove for too long.

To make this delicious 1905 salad, you just need to chop up a few veggies and some deli meat, then mix up a simple dressing with fresh garlic, apple cider vinegar, and olive oil.

Now, you can get the actual salad recipe from the Columbia restaurant on their website. It’s so good, they don’t even try to keep it a secret! I’ve adapted it a bit to make it fit my cooking style and the ingredients that I most often have at home.

Need more simple no-cooking-involved salad recipes? You will love my Mediterranean-inspired red kidney bean salad that relies on canned beans for flavor and protein. There’s also my version of the La Scala Chopped Salad, another restaurant copycat featuring salami and mozzarella cheese.

1905 Salad Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this copycat salad recipe:

• Lettuce and Tomatoes: The classic restaurant version uses chopped iceberg lettuce and juicy tomato wedges.
• Turkey Deli Meat: I’m making my version of this salad with thinly sliced turkey, but the restaurant uses ham. You can use whichever you prefer!
• Swiss Cheese: I love the firm texture and strong flavor of Swiss cheese in salads, and it’s perfect in this one.
• Olives: I’m using pitted Spanish olives here, but you can use any type of canned olives. For a more authentic dish, look for olives packed in oil rather than vinegar.
• Parmesan Cheese: The Tampa Florida restaurant uses freshly grated romano cheese on top of their salad. Either type works well, so use what you have.
• For the Dressing: Freshly minced garlic is blended with extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, and a bit of salt and pepper.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

How To Make 1905 Salad

1. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake to combine. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.

2. Assemble the Salad: Put the chopped iceberg lettuce in a large salad bowl. Add the julienned turkey (or ham) and Swiss cheese to the bowl. Mix in the sliced tomatoes and green olives.
3. Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything together so that it’s well-mixed. Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese before serving.

Recipe Tips

• Make the dressing first: It helps to give the dressing a bit of time to sit before dressing the salad. Time allows the flavors to meld and develop.
• Try other meats and cheeses: If you happen to have some deli ham or sliced salami in the fridge, try that in place of the turkey! Different types of cheese will also be delicious, such as Colby Jack or provolone.
• Other salad mix-ins: Use this salad recipe as an opportunity to use up excess produce in your fridge. Try it with bell peppers, cucumbers, or shredded carrots. You can also add slices of hard-boiled eggs for extra protein.

Storing Tips

Once dressed, it is best to enjoy this salad fairly soon. While you can technically save leftovers in the fridge for a day or so, the lettuce will lose its crunch.

A better plan is to make the dressing and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to make the salad fresh. It will keep for about a week this way.

What To Serve With 1905 Salad

This salad has enough protein and veggies in it to be a light meal on its own, but here are some ideas of dishes to pair with it for an even more filling and satisfying meal:

• Meats: Try this with Crusted Romano Chicken or Grilled Steak.
• Soups: Soup and salad is a classic combination. Try my Minestrone Soup, Creamy Potato Leek Soup, or any of the many delicious soups in my recipe index.
• Sandwiches: For a light meal, serve 1905 salad with a chicken salad sandwich or grilled cheese on freshly baked bread.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use something other than iceberg lettuce?

Iceberg is the traditional type of lettuce used to make the 1905 salad, but you can replace it with romaine lettuce or your favorite mixed greens if you like.

Can the salad dressing be made in advance?

Yes! While it’s quick to mix up this dressing, it can be convenient to make it ahead of time. Store it in the fridge until you’re ready to make the salad. It should last for about a week. Stir or shake well before using the stored dressing to be sure that it’s well-mixed.

What type of cheese is best in 1905 Salad?

Swiss cheese is what is used in the original Columbia restaurant recipe, but you can experiment with other types. Try cheddar, provolone, or even crumbled feta cheese in this salad recipe.

You may not have known that you needed this recipe, but I know that once you try this 1905 salad, you’ll be hooked! Be sure to Pin the recipe so that you can find it again later.