The House of Prime Rib is a renowned steakhouse in San Francisco, known for its incredible prime rib as well as its their signature salad. While you may not be able to replicate the juicy prime rib at home, you can definitely make the famous House of Prime Rib salad with this easy recipe.
The salad features a mix of crisp lettuces, colorful veggies, a unique creamy dressing, and a chilled presentation that together create a refreshing, delicious starter for any meal.
Once you learn how to prepare the dressing and toss the salad like they do at the restaurant, you’ll be able to enjoy this San Francisco specialty right in your own kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Salad
The House of Prime Rib salad stands out for its perfect balance of flavors and textures:
- Fresh lettuce blend – A mix of romaine, iceberg, and spinach provides crunch, creaminess, and vibrant color.
- Tasty mix-ins – Sliced beets, chopped egg, tomatoes, and croutons add pops of flavor and texture.
- Creamy dressing – Light yet rich, with a tangy kick from cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.
- Chilled to perfection – Tossed tableside in an ice-cold bowl for ultimate refreshment.
How Does the House of Prime Rib Salad Taste?
The House of Prime Rib salad is a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The crisp romaine and iceberg contrast with the tender spinach, while the beets, egg, and tomatoes add subtle sweetness and richness.
Crunchy croutons provide a satisfying bite, and the creamy dressing ties everything together with a tangy, savory depth from cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce.
Served chilled, it’s extra refreshing, making each bite light yet flavorful—a perfect start to your meal.
How to Make House of Prime Rib Salad
Making this salad at home is simple if you have the right ingredients and follow a few easy steps:
House of Prime Rib Salad Ingredients
- 8 ounces romaine lettuce, chilled
- 2 ounces iceberg lettuce, chilled
- 2 ounces spinach, chilled
- 4 ounces beets, chilled and sliced
- 4 ounces hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
- Grape tomatoes
- Sourdough croutons (or any preferred croutons)
- Ice (for chilling the salad ingredients)
For Dressing:
- 6 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 4 tablespoons applesauce
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt (preferably Lowry’s)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- A pinch of parsley flakes
- 4 drops Tabasco sauce
- 1 cup vegetable oil
Instructions on Making House of Prime Rib Salad Recipe
Step 01 – Prepare the Dressing
In a food processor, combine water, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, dry sherry, and applesauce. Add seasoned salt, sugar, paprika, garlic powder, parsley flakes, and Tabasco sauce. Blend until well combined.
While the food processor is running, slowly pour in the vegetable oil and continue blending until the dressing is smooth.
Transfer the dressing to a container and refrigerate for a couple of hours to thicken.
Step 02 – Add Vegetable Oil
In a large mixing bowl, combine romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and spinach. Add sliced beets, finely chopped hard-boiled eggs, grape tomatoes, and croutons. Mix well to ensure an even distribution.
Place the salad bowl in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Step 03 – Assemble and Dress the Salad
Use a larger bowl filled with ice to simulate the spinning motion. Drizzle the chilled dressing over the salad while gently tossing and mixing to coat evenly.
Step 04 – Chill the Salad
Place the salad bowl in the refrigerator (30 minutes at least) again to keep it cool and crisp before serving.
Step 05 – Serve
Once well-coated with the dressing, serve the House of Prime Rib Style Salad immediately.
Tips for Making the Perfect Salad
- Chill the salad bowls and plates before serving.
- Use crisp, fresh lettuce and prep veggies for best texture.
- Toss the salad in a large bowl placed over a bowl filled with ice to mimic the restaurant technique.
- Don’t overdress the salad. The key is evenly coating the leaves with a light layer of dressing.
- Serve the salad right away before the lettuce loses its crispness.
Salad Variations
Customize this salad to your liking:
- Add avocado for creaminess or blue cheese for tang.
- Swap balsamic or red wine vinegar for a different dressing twist.
- Use kale or arugula instead of spinach.
- Mix in fresh herbs like dill, chives, or basil.
- Toss in dried cranberries or cherries for sweetness.
- Replace croutons with pecans or walnuts for crunch.
- Add shredded carrot for color and natural sweetness.
- Garnish with grated Parmesan for a savory touch.
What to Serve with House of Prime Rib Salad
- Main Dishes: Prime rib, steak, roast chicken, or grilled salmon.
- Sides: Creamed spinach, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, or garlic bread.
- Drinks: Red wine, iced tea, or classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned.
Leftover Storage Tips
To keep your salad fresh, store the components separately.
Lettuce and veggies should go in an airtight container with a paper towel to absorb moisture, lasting up to 2 days in the fridge.
Dressing stays fresh in a sealed jar for up to a week. Avoid storing dressed salad, as it will become soggy.
For croutons, keep them in a dry container at room temperature.
When ready to enjoy again, simply toss everything together for a fresh taste!
House of Prime Rib Salad Recipe FAQs
1. Can I prepare the dressing ahead?
Yes, you can make the dressing up to 5 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. The flavors will continue to develop.
2. What kind of beets work best?
Red beets provide the most color, but golden beets also work. Roast or steam beets until just tender, then chill before slicing and adding to salad.
3. What’s a quick substitute for homemade dressing?
In a pinch, use 3/4 cup of your favorite creamy bottled salad dressing or vinaigrette. Add a spoonful of Worcestershire and Tabasco to approximate the flavor.
4. Can I use bacon instead of egg?
Finely chopped cooked bacon makes a nice smoky, salty substitute for some or all of the hardboiled egg.
5. Any tips for easy chopping?
Use a sharp knife and cutting board. Stack leaves and slice into ribbons before chopping crosswise into bite-size pieces for fast, even chopping.
House of Prime Rib salad Recipe
Make the famous House of Prime Rib salad in just 50 minutes! A refreshing blend of crisp lettuce, veggies, and creamy dressing. Perfect starter for any meal!
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients:
- 8 ounces romaine lettuce, chilled
- 2 ounces iceberg lettuce, chilled
- 2 ounces spinach, chilled
- 4 ounces beets, chilled and sliced
- 4 ounces hard-boiled eggs, finely chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
- 1 cup sourdough croutons (or any preferred croutons)
- Ice (for chilling the salad ingredients)
Dressing Ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 4 tablespoons applesauce
- 1 tablespoon seasoned salt (preferably Lowry's)
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- A pinch of parsley flakes
- 4 drops Tabasco sauce
- 1 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
Step 01 - Prepare the Dressing
In a food processor, combine water, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, dry sherry, and applesauce. Add seasoned salt, sugar, paprika, garlic powder, parsley flakes, and Tabasco sauce. Blend until well combined.
While the food processor is running, slowly pour in the vegetable oil and continue blending until the dressing is smooth.
Transfer the dressing to a container and refrigerate for a couple of hours to thicken.
Step 02 - Add Vegetable Oil
In a large mixing bowl, combine romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, and spinach. Add sliced beets, finely chopped hard-boiled eggs, grape tomatoes, and croutons. Mix well to ensure an even distribution.
Place the salad bowl in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Step 03 - Assemble and Dress the Salad
Use a larger bowl filled with ice to simulate the spinning motion. Drizzle the chilled dressing over the salad while gently tossing and mixing to coat evenly.
Step 04 - Chill the Salad
Place the salad bowl in the refrigerator (30 minutes at least) again to keep it cool and crisp before serving.
Step 05 - Serve
Once well-coated with the dressing, serve the House of Prime Rib Style Salad immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 420Total Fat: 38gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 6g
Conclusion
The iconic House of Prime Rib salad is easy to recreate at home for a unique, tasty starter salad.
With its blend of cool, crisp lettuces, colorful mix-ins, creamy dressing, and chilled presentation, this San Francisco specialty makes an ideal appetizer for your next gathering.
Experiment with the ingredients to put your own spin on this refreshing, crowd-pleasing salad. Enjoy a taste of House of Prime Rib tradition without leaving your own kitchen.
