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
There are several reasons why the House of Prime Rib salad stands out:
- A blend of lettuces – The base is a combo of romaine, iceberg, and spinach, which gives you a variety of textures and flavors. The romaine provides crunch, the iceberg offers creaminess, and the spinach adds color.
- Thoughtful mix-ins – In addition to lettuce, the salad includes tasty add-ins like sliced beets, chopped egg, tomatoes, and croutons. These ingredients provide pops of color, flavor, and texture.
- Unique creamy dressing – The dressing is creamy yet light, with a hint of tang from cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce. The blend of seasonings gives it robust flavor.
- Chilled presentation – The salad is chilled before serving, and tossed tableside in a bowl of ice to keep it cold. This cooling effect makes the salad extra refreshing.
When you put it all together – the lettuces, mix-ins, dressing, and chilled presentation – you get a salad that is full of varied flavors, textures, colors, and temperatures for a very appealing appetizer.
How Does the House of Prime Rib Salad Taste?
Here’s a breakdown of how each component contributes to the overall taste and texture of the salad:
- Romaine lettuce – Provides a sturdy, crunchy base
- Iceberg lettuce – Offers a cool, crisp, watery crunch
- Spinach – Contributes a subtle earthy, leafy flavor
- Beets – Add a sweet, earthy flavor and color
- Eggs – Give the salad a creamy, rich element
- Tomatoes – Offer a juicy, fresh-tasting burst
- Croutons – Contribute a toasted, crunchy texture
- Dressing – Features a tangy, lightly sweet, creamy flavor with savory notes from Worcestershire sauce and seasoning
When combined, you get a salad with contrasts of flavors and textures – cool crispness from the lettuce, earthy sweetness from the veggies, creaminess from the egg and dressing, crunch from the croutons, and bright acidic tang from the dressing. The chilled temperature enhances the fresh flavors.
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:
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)
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.
- Continue blending until the dressing is smooth.
- Transfer the dressing to a container and refrigerate for a couple of hours to thicken.
- Step02-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:
- Imagine a larger bowl filled with ice to simulate the spinning motion.
- Drizzle the chilled dressing over the salad while gently tossing and mixing.
- Step 04-Chill the Salad
- Place the salad bowl in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 05-Serve:
- Once well-coated with the dressing, serve the House of Prime Rib Style Salad immediately.
Tips for Making the 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
There are many ways to customize this salad to your tastes:
- Add diced avocado for creaminess
- Top with crumbled blue cheese for tangy flavor
- Use balsamic instead of cider vinegar for the dressing
- Swap in kale or arugula for the spinach
- Mix in fresh herbs like dill, chives or basil
- Toss in dried cranberries or cherries for a hint of sweetness
- Use pecans or walnuts instead of croutons for crunch
- Add shredded carrot for color and natural sweetness
- Swap in red wine vinegar for a bolder vinaigrette
- Garnish with grated parmesan for a savory, salty accent
No matter what you try, be sure to keep the signature blend of lettuces and the chilled presentation to stay true to the original House of Prime Rib style. Get creative with the mix-ins to make this famous salad your own!
Serving Suggestions
The crisp, refreshing House of Prime Rib salad makes a great starter for any meal. Here are some serving suggestions:
- Appetizer before a steak or prime rib dinner
- Side salad with grilled chicken or fish
- Light lunch entree topped with grilled shrimp or salmon
- Picnic or barbecue side dish
- Starter for a holiday meal
- Weeknight dinner salad topped with sliced skirt steak
- Shared salad for a gathering of friends
For easy entertaining, make the dressing ahead of time and prep the veggies and lettuce. Store them separately until ready to serve. Right before guests arrive, toss the salad for a fresh, crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Storing Leftovers
Have leftover salad? Here are some tips for storing and enjoying later:
- Keep dressing separate from the salad greens and veggies to avoid wilting.
- Store dressing in a sealed container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
- Place greens and vegetables in a zip top bag with a paper towel to absorb moisture.
- Refrigerate in crisper drawer for 2-3 days maximum.
- When ready to eat, add dressing to leftovers right before serving.
- If lettuce becomes limp, swap in fresh greens.
- If necessary, revive croutons by toasting briefly.
With a few simple storing steps, you can enjoy this salad again without compromising on texture and flavor.
Reheating
This cool salad is not recommended for reheating. For best results, serve freshly tossed. If you want to use leftover vegetables in a warm dish, try sautéing them in olive oil with fresh herbs and cheese for a tasty salad or pasta topping. The dressing can also be served as a creamy veggie dip when repurposed. Get creative with leftovers for an easy second meal!
FAQs
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.
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.
How long will the salad dressing keep?
Properly stored in the fridge, the dressing will keep for up to 2 weeks. Make sure it’s covered and sealed.
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.
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.
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.
Final Words about This Recipe
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.
