If you’ve ever eaten at Columbia Restaurant, you know their famous 1905 Salad is worth ordering. Our copycat version brings that Florida favorite home with crisp iceberg lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, and olives, all tossed with a garlicky dressing made with Spanish olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and oregano. Serve it alongside a Cuban sandwich or grab some crusty bread and call it dinner. No trip to Ybor City required!

Simple Made Dish fresh garden salad with lettuce, tomatoes, olives, lemon wedges, and light dressing on a pink plate.

Servings: 6 side salads or 2 dinner salads
Total Time: 20 minutes

Dressing Ingredients

4 garlic cloves
2 tsp oregano
1 oz. white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 oz. Spanish olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Salad Ingredients

1 head iceberg lettuce
5 oz. sliced deli ham
2 oz. Swiss cheese
1 tomato
1 lemon
3 Tbsp Manzanilla olives
grated Romano cheese (optional)

lettuce, ham, swiss cheese, lemon, tomato, garlic, oregano, olives, vinegar, Worcestershire, olive oil, salt, pepper on a counter

Get the full printable instructions with measurements at the bottom of the post in the recipe card.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Prepare the dressing by finely mincing the garlic and adding it to a small bowl. Add the oregano, white wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk in the Spanish olive oil until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Step 2: Rinse and thoroughly dry the lettuce using a salad spinner or colander. Chop into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.

Step 3: Slice the ham and Swiss cheese into strips, separating any pieces that stick together. Add to the lettuce and gently toss.

Fresh salad bowl topped with sliced ham and shredded cheese over crisp lettuce.

Step 4: Cut the tomato into 8–12 wedges and the lemon into 8 wedges. Arrange the tomato and lemon wedges and Manzanilla olives over the salad.

Colorful green salad with lettuce, tomatoes, lemon wedges, olives, ham, and cheese in a decorative bowl, served on a light wooden table.

Step 5: When ready to serve, give the dressing another good whisk. For a family-style salad, pour the dressing over the entire salad, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, and toss gently. Finish with freshly grated Romano cheese, if desired. For individual servings, divide the salad among plates, add 1–2 lemon wedges to each, and let everyone add their own dressing, lemon juice, and Romano cheese.

🍋 Simply Made Suggestions

Use Spanish olive oil: Look for it in the international aisle or with the other olive oils at your grocery store.
Crisp up the lettuce: If your lettuce is looking a little tired, soak it in ice water for a few minutes, then drain and dry thoroughly.
Make it ahead: Prepare the dressing and salad ingredients ahead of time. Refrigerate separately, keeping the lettuce covered with a damp paper towel until ready to serve.
Dress just before serving: Add the dressing and fresh lemon juice right before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.

🥗 Before You Go…

Keep the Cuban flavors coming! Pair this 1905 Salad with our Cuban Sandwich for a restaurant-inspired lunch, or serve it alongside our homemade Picadillo for an easy, flavorful dinner. No trip to Ybor City required!

Spanish Salad (1905 Copycat)

Fresh green lettuce, tomato, lemon wedges, olives, and in a colorful bowl with a side of dressing and wooden spoons.

Bring Columbia Restaurant's famous 1905 Salad home with this easy copycat recipe! Crisp iceberg lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, tomatoes, and olives are tossed with a tangy garlic dressing made with Spanish olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, and oregano.

Beth

Prep Time 20

Total Time 20

Servings

Ingredients

Dressing Ingredients:

4 garlic cloves
2 tsp oregano
1 oz white wine vinegar
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
4 oz Spanish olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Salad Ingredients:

1 head of iceberg lettuce
5 oz deli ham
2 oz Swiss cheese
1 tomato
1 lemon
3 Tbsp Manzanilla olives
grated Romano cheese (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the dressing by finely mincing the garlic and adding it to a small bowl. Add the oregano, white wine vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk in the Spanish olive oil until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Rinse and thoroughly dry the lettuce using a salad spinner or colander. Chop into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
Slice the ham and Swiss cheese into strips, separating any pieces that stick together. Add to the lettuce and gently toss.
Cut the tomato into 8–12 wedges and the lemon into 8 wedges. Arrange the tomato and lemon wedges and Manzanilla olives over the salad.
When ready to serve, give the dressing another good whisk. For a family-style salad, pour the dressing over the entire salad, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top, and toss gently. Finish with freshly grated Romano cheese, if desired. For individual servings, divide the salad among plates, add 1–2 lemon wedges to each, and let everyone add their own dressing, lemon juice, and Romano cheese.

Notes

Dressing can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. Whisk again before serving.
Keep the salad and dressing separate until ready to serve.
Serve family-style or divide into individual portions and let everyone add their own dressing, lemon juice, and Romano cheese.

Nutrition

Disclaimer: All nutrition values are per serving and approximate. They will vary depending on products and quantities used.

Columbia Restaurant 1905 Salad Copycat

Dressing Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

Step-by-Step Directions

🍋 Simply Made Suggestions

🥗 Before You Go…