Hawaiian Salad

Despite its name, this is not actually a fruit salad. This Hawaiian salad recipe is for a crisp and fresh green salad with a unique fruit twist, thanks to the inclusion of pineapple bits. And if you’re wondering how pineapple will work with ingredients like salad greens and cheddar cheese, remember that Hawaiian pizza with pineapple is a thing, and a lot of people love it! Try this salad once, and we’re pretty sure your concerns will be put to rest. Quick and easy to make, and intriguing enough to serve to dinner guests, this one will soon be making regular appearances on your table.

Hawaiian Salad Ingredients

• Pineapple tidbits: Pineapple tidbits are right-sized for this salad, but if all you can find are pineapple chunks, you can just chop them up into smaller pieces. You’ll want to reserve a bit of the pineapple juice.
• Salad greens: You can use any salad greens you like, from romaine lettuce to a spring mix blend.
• Cheddar cheese: While sharp cheddar cheese is always a delight, don’t go with a cheddar that’s too sharp and tangy, or it might overpower the other ingredients.
• Mayonnaise: You can use an egg-based mayo or one that’s primarily oil and plant-based.
• Sugar: A tablespoon of sugar might seem like a fair amount for a salad, but the sweetness is a counterbalance to the cheese and mayo.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the greens, fruit and cheese

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Drain the canned pineapple, reserving 1 tablespoon of the juice. Then, in a large bowl, combine the salad greens, pineapple and cheese.

Step 2: Make the dressing

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In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, sugar and the reserved pineapple juice. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

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Hawaiian Salad Variations

• Add nuts and seeds: Adding chopped almonds or sunflower seeds (or both) is a great way to add a bit more subtle flavor, some welcome texture and more protein to this salad.
• Try it with kale: If you like a salad with a heartier bite, use chopped or shredded kale in place of the salad greens, then follow the recipe as is.
• Mix in wontons: Add some crispy crunch to this Hawaiian salad by tossing in a handful of wontons right before you add the dressing.

How to Store Hawaiian Salad

Once the dressing has been added, this salad really won’t keep well, and in fact, it should be served within just a few minutes after it’s prepared. If you want to plan ahead, you can make the dressing and keep the other ingredients at the ready but separated—doing so will allow for final prep in about one minute.

Hawaiian Salad Tips

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Can I use fresh pineapple?

Absolutely, if it’s in season. You’ll want the pineapple to be very ripe, as it won’t be as sweet as canned pineapple, and then keep a few chunks separate to squeeze for fresh pineapple juice to use in the dressing.

What should I serve with this salad?

Because this is a sweet and tart salad, you should serve it with hearty and savory dishes. Roast pork or grilled chicken would both be great choices.

Can I leave the sugar out of the dressing?

It really is best to use at least some sugar in the dressing. If you don’t want to use an entire tablespoon, use a teaspoon instead, and see how the flavor works for you.