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Recipe Index » Recipes » Pittsburgh Salad

Pittsburgh Salad

Published by Meaghan on June 16, 2017 | last updated on February 28, 2022.

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A layer of crispy french fries top a house salad in this delicious regional dish. This fun twist on a traditional salad makes the Pittsburgh Salad a must try!

Pittsburgh Salad

Growing up, Pittsburgh seemed like a world away. I’d never been there, didn’t know anyone there, and never even thought I’d ever have a reason to go there.

Fast forward to my current life, and I’m married to a 4th generation Italian immigrant, with a bit of Polack thrown in for good measure. 

Pittsburgh Salad

Thanks to my husband’s Great Great Grandfather, he still has his true last name. Brothers immigrated together; one chose to keep his heritage via his native last name, and the other chose to Americanize his, as was suggested.

Ironically enough, everyone settled in the hot bed that is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the suburbs surrounding it. Both brothers, happily enough. 

Roughly 80 years later, we’ve dispersed– or I guess I should say that they have, and they’ve moved across the country.

Our last name is unique. And while there’s still only a handful of us, we now hail from all corners of the U.S.

Pittsburgh Salad

The annual trek ‘home’ still happens, except for our generation– it isn’t a trip to the family farm in the fields of Italy anymore. It’s packing everyone up and loading the car for the 7-8 hour drive back home to Pittsburgh. 

It is a trip we all always look forward to making. 

It’s a wonderful city with a blend of so many cultures, which means so many flavors. I was simply overwhelmed the first time I went.

The best gyro I’ve ever had is still the one from a random street vendor on the corner selling them out of a ramshackle tent.

Pittsburgh Salad

This weekend my sons all head off for a visit ‘home’ with their Nonno to help move, and comfort, their Great Nonna into a nursing home.

Nanny may be small in stature, but she is fierce- and firmly independent since the death of her beloved husband. And she fiercely vets new additions to the family. 

96 years young, so this is a big change and one I think will be important for her great grandsons to witness, but also to be a part of.

Memories last long after we’re gone.

Pittsburgh Salad

My husband and I, unfortunately, have to stay behind and work this weekend. Naturally, we’re craving a little taste of ‘home’. 

Remember earlier when I mentioned that Pittsburgh is a hotbed of distinct flavors? Hold that thought.

There is nothing more unique, or more enjoyable (in my humble opinion), than the Pittsburgh Salad.

Pittsburgh Salad

If you grew up anywhere else in the world, you may not be aware that fries on a salad are a thing.

If you grew up in Pittsburgh, you may not be aware that elsewhere in the world french fries on your salad may get you looks of horror from fellow diners. 

If you’re new to the Steel City’s salad staple, I can promise you– it’s delicious, addictive even.

A bed of your favorite lettuce is studded with fresh tomatoes, and topped with a juicy piece of grilled chicken or (even more commonly up North) steak (it’s a great way to use up any grilled leftovers too!) and a heaping helping of crispy french fries. Sprinkled with cheeses and drizzled with dressing, it’s a complete meal in a bowl.

Whether you’re looking for a reminder of a hometown favorite, or wanting to branch out and add a little bit of comfort to an otherwise healthy dish– the Pittsburgh Salad has it all.

Looking for some other meals in a bowl on a bed of greens? Make sure you check out our Big Mac inspired cheeseburger salad, as well as our BLT salad bowl.

If you’ve tried this PITTSBURGHER SALAD, or any other recipe on the site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!

Pittsburgh Salad

A hearty salad that originated in Pittsburgh, it's unique spin on the leafy dish features grilled chicken or steak and a heaping helping of crispy French fries.
4.63 from 16 votes
Print Pin Rate
Author: Meaghan @ 4 Sons R Us
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Ingredients

  • lettuce, roughly chopped
  • grape tomatoes
  • grilled chicken breast, or steak
  • a dozen crispy french fries
  • blend of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses
  • ranch dressing

Instructions

  • Cook the french fries according to package directions, making sure to double, triple, quadruple the amount for the number of desired salads.
  • Place the desired amount of lettuce into a large, shallow bowl or onto a large plate. Add a handful of tomatoes. Place your grilled chicken, or steak, on top in the center.
  • After cooking, let the fries cool so that they're warm but no longer actually hot. Spread the fries out over the assembled salad. 
  • Sprinkle with the desired amount of cheese, we usually use 1/4 cup per salad. Drizzle with ranch dressing. 
  • Repeat as many times as necessary for the number of salads required.

Notes

While this salad is true to our experience in Pittsburgh, and our favorite way to enjoy it-- it can easily incorporate your own favorite salad veggies, like cucumbers, carrots, even red onion.
Did you make this recipe?Share it on Instagram @4sonsrus or tag #4sonsrus!

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Hi! I’m Meaghan

Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas. I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot. Read more...

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Comments

  1. Colleen says

    June 17, 2017 at 8:00 am

    Now, this is my kind of salad! Droolworthy to say the very least!

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      June 22, 2017 at 9:56 pm

      Thanks, Colleen.

      Reply
  2. Beverly says

    June 19, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    5 stars
    So glad to see that you added the bit about other veggies. I am lucky enough to live about 20 miles outside of Pittsburgh and have never had a salad with only lettuce and tomatoes. Mine have always had cucumbers and a ring or two of onion–that last item gets handed over to my husband. Hmm, now I know what I’d like to have for supper this evening!

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      June 22, 2017 at 9:55 pm

      Everybody likes things differently, of course. I just prefer not to waste all those yummy extras when making this particular salad for my kids. I think it’s something about all those veggies mixed in with their fries that it’s the one time they will all steadfastly pick them out.

      Reply
  3. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    June 19, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    Ohmygoodness! My husband and I think about this salad all the time! We’re from the Cleveland area (I know, I know) and now live in Phoenix. We used to be able to get these salads in Ohio, but def. not here! Can’t wait to make this at home!

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      June 22, 2017 at 9:53 pm

      Isn’t it great when you find a way to make a regional favorite at home and take that yummy nostalgia with you??

      Reply
  4. Amanda says

    June 19, 2017 at 8:05 pm

    Just visited Pittsburgh for the first time last week, was surprised to see that fries went on sandwiches there, I am even more surprised to see them on a salad 🙂 Looks great though, and Pittsburgh is a beautiful city!

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      June 22, 2017 at 9:53 pm

      Yup, on both. I prefer them on my salad since I think they get to soggy on a sandwich. Agree, Pittsburgh is awesome.

      Reply
      • Libby bibby says

        February 22, 2022 at 12:40 pm

        5 stars
        I’m from Pittsburgh and we put fries on everything! I love a grilled chicken salad. Here in pgh it’s just called a steak salad or a chicken salad. My daughter went to FL and ordered a grilled chicken salad she asked where the fries were and they said oh you want a pittsburgh salad. Growing up in pgh, she did not know this wasn’t a thing everywhere.

        Reply
  5. Kristen says

    June 20, 2017 at 9:27 am

    I loved hearing about your family history. And Fries on a salad is the absolute best. I grew up thinking it was a thing everyone did.

    Reply
    • 4sonsrus says

      June 22, 2017 at 9:51 pm

      The first time I went home with my husband to meet the family, I totally stared wide eyed at all the fry topped salads, lol.

      Reply
  6. Phyllis says

    March 17, 2023 at 9:36 am

    5 stars
    I grew up 45 south of Pittsburgh. I had been enjoying the Pittsburgh salad until I left and moved to AZ at 48. The Pittsburgh salad was always the best. Also my mom made the chipped ham bbq with chipped ham at Isaly’s. Pittsburgh also had a restaurant that used homemade pizza crust hot out of the oven with any salad of your choice put on top. I especially loved the chicken caeser salad.
    Thanks for the great memories.

    Reply

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Welcome to 4 Sons ‘R’ Us

Hi! I’m Meaghan. Welcome to my kitchen. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into family friendly, easy recipes and meal ideas.

I’m a self proclaimed, proud pickle snob and cheese lover. Aside from that, I’m also the mom to 4 busy boys, elementary school through college aged. My boys keep my husband and I busy, and boy, do they like to eat. A lot.

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