Chopped Salad with Smoky Thousand Island Dressing

Transform your salad game with this vibrant Chopped Salad with Smoky Thousand Island Dressing—a perfect balance of freshness and bold flavors. Crisp Romaine lettuce, crunchy red cabbage, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and savory bacon come together in a colorful medley, topped with sharp cheddar cheese for a touch of indulgence. The star of the dish is the homemade smoky Thousand Island dressing, made with mayonnaise, tangy pickle brine, smoked paprika, and a dash of garlic powder for a rich, smoky twist on the classic. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a quick lunch, a side dish, or a crowd-pleasing addition to your dinner table. Serve it tossed or let guests dress their own to savor the fresh, tangy bites at their own pace.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:25 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 hearts Romaine lettuce
• 1 cup Red cabbage
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes
• 0.5 small Red onion
• 1 medium Avocado
• 4 slices Cooked bacon
• 0.5 cup Cheddar cheese
• 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons Ketchup
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons Pickle brine
• 2 tablespoons Dill pickles
• 0.5 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Chop the Romaine lettuce hearts into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Thinly slice the red cabbage and add it to the bowl.

Step 3

Peel and dice the cucumber into small cubes. Add it to the salad.

Step 4

Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the red onion. Add both to the bowl.

Step 5

Dice the avocado into bite-sized pieces and gently fold it into the salad, being careful not to mash it.

Step 6

Crumble the cooked bacon and sprinkle it over the salad.

Step 7

Grate the cheddar cheese and add it as the final topping for the salad.

Step 8

In a medium mixing bowl, prepare the smoky Thousand Island dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, ketchup, smoked paprika, pickle brine, finely chopped dill pickles, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 9

Taste the dressing and adjust seasonings if needed. You can add extra smoked paprika for more smokiness or additional pickle brine for a tangier flavor.

Step 10

Drizzle the smoky Thousand Island dressing over the chopped salad, or serve it on the side for people to dress their own salads.

Step 11

Toss gently just before serving and enjoy this fresh, smoky, and tangy creation!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2173.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1833.3

Total Fat 138.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.7g
Cholesterol 196.2mg	0%
Sodium 3515.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 118.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.5g	0%
Total Sugars 32.2g
Protein 46.8g	0%

Vitamin D 5.1IU	0%
Calcium 802.2mg	0%
Iron 14.0mg	0%
Potassium 4395.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 65.5%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 24.7%