# Can a salad, by definition, include animal protein? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [July 26, 2021, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365 "2021-07-26T20:18:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/21 "2021-07-27T01:53:56Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > > [@JKellyMap](#): > > > > In French, besides meaning “salad,” _salade_ can mean simply “lettuce.” > > Heh. The old “French Gambit”? Seriously? Never works. - Yeah, it was a mistake right from the start. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/22 "2021-07-27T06:39:19Z")
> [@naita](#): > > It’s seems everyone agrees with the OP here, so I’m curious if the non-present arguer had any counter-arguments to “What about a cesar salad”. No, not at all, which I found strange. I mean, if you’re going to be so adamant that you are correct, surely you’d present some sort of evidence to back your thesis, right? I’m thinking that she took great offence to being ‘corrected’ online, realised she was being a dick, and lashed out at me in anger as a way of saving face. Whatever, I have lost no sleep, and will enjoy a meaty salad tonight in my tortilla wraps. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/23 "2021-07-27T13:21:13Z")
For a thing referred to as just “a salad”, I would say that it has to consist primarily of raw vegetables. You can add in cheese, egg, various meats, etc., but you have to have less of those than the veggies. You can still have “egg salad”, or “tuna salad”, or “potato salad” or “pasta salad”, or whatever, but you never refer to those without the adjective. If I were eating an egg salad sandwich, and you asked me “How much salad is on that sandwich”, I would assume that the question was referring to the lettuce and tomato that might (or might not) be on top of the egg salad. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/24 "2021-07-27T13:26:46Z")
> [@kambuckta](#): > > I’m thinking that she took great offence to being ‘corrected’ online, realised she was being a dick, and lashed out at me in anger as a way of saving face. [Sayre’s Law:](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sayre%27s_law#:~:text=3.1%20Footnotes-,History,has%20attested%20to%20Fred%20R.) “In any dispute the intensity of feeling is inversely proportional to the value of the issues at stake.” ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/25 "2021-07-27T15:49:18Z")
IAW the [Cube Rule of Food](https://cuberule.com/) the following foods are clearly salads: Steak, mashed potatoes, and spaghetti. The person you were arguing with is wrong. Also, poutine, chocolate and soup in a bowl are also salads (wet). Soup in a bread bowl is quiche. ---
**Author:** ![tavaritz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/71e660/32.png) [@tavaritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tavaritz)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/26 "2021-07-27T16:58:17Z")
In finnish “salaatti” means both salad and lettuce but no-one in Finland would IMHO say that a salad cannot contain protein. There is one salad called in finnish “italian salaatti” which is salad of Italy and it contains ham and is sold in almost every food store. And of course most salads here contain mayo which has egg in it if it’s done properly. ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/27 "2021-07-27T20:59:13Z")
And since “meat” is a word, a word salad can include meat! QED. (Sorry, I know that isn’t what you were saying, but it’s how I read it) ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/28 "2021-07-27T21:15:42Z")
I looked up a favorite restaurant’s menu that I knew had a lot of soup and salad options… and BAM! Every. Single. Salad. Had. Meat. (most came with grilled chicken, a couple of tenderloin options, bacon on a couple, and a nice salmon salad) Q E frickin’ D! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2021, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/29 "2021-07-27T21:40:02Z")
It’s similar in Polish and Hungarian. In Polish, lettuce is _sałata_ and in Hungarian it’s _salata_. (It may be a bit hard to see, but the Polish has a little strikethrough through the _l_. The neighboring Slavic countries I believe all use the same or similar word.) So it can just refer to lettuce. But, in both those countries, there are plenty of salads that contain meat. In those countries, it seems anything bound together with mayonnaise qualifies as a “salad” of some sort. Like both countries have some form of “ham salad” with ham, potato, onion, diced gherkins, and mayonnaise. Polish has a pickled herring salad with herrings, peas, carrots, onion, mayo. So in the food of the cultures I’m familiar with, “salad” can include animal protein, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/30 "2021-07-28T00:35:25Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I love me a huge steak salad Pittsburgh style. I like the Thai steak salad called Yum Nuah. My wife makes the best. So what is Pittsburgh style? Is it worth me driving from Cleveland? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/31 "2021-07-28T00:37:15Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > So what is Pittsburgh style? I’ve heard the term “Pittsburgh style” (a.k.a. “Pittsburgh rare” or “black and blue”) applied to steak – it means charred on the outside, but rare (to extremely rare or even raw) on the inside. > **[Pittsburgh rare](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh_rare)** > > A Pittsburgh rare steak is one that has been heated to a very high temperature very quickly, so it is charred on the outside but still rare or raw on the inside. The degree of rareness and the amount of charring on the outside may vary according to taste. The term "Pittsburgh rare" is used in some parts of the American Midwest and Eastern Seaboard, but similar methods of sear cooking are known by different terms elsewhere, including Chicago-style rare. > There are several possible explanations ... ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/32 "2021-07-28T01:40:34Z")
Yeah, I assumed the joke was they just want pretty much a raw steak, charred on the outside, served in thin slices as a “salad.” ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/33 "2021-07-28T02:01:04Z")
According to the internet, this is steak salad Pittsburgh style. French fries are involved. > **[Pittsburgh-Style Steak Salad - Heather Mangieri Nutrition](https://heathermangieri.com/pittsburgh-style-steak-salad/)** > > A Pittsburgh-style steak salad is a steak salad topped with steak, French fries, cheddar cheese, egg, tomato & ranch dressing. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/34 "2021-07-28T02:02:08Z")
No salad is complete without fries! It warms my heart to hear such a thing actually exists. ETA: I also like how the recipe calls for reduced calorie ranch dressing. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/35 "2021-07-28T11:36:06Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > No salad is complete without fries! > > It warms my heart to hear such a thing actually exists. Damn that looks good. Myself, I would nix the croutons and instead of fries use tater tots myself. Maybe I just invented a thing, the Amigo Salad! ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/36 "2021-07-28T11:41:06Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > So what is Pittsburgh style? Fries. I remember ordering a steak salad in an airport restaurant somewhere, and when it came without fries, I was shocked. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/37 "2021-07-28T19:00:04Z")
Medieval salads (that we have recipes for, that were called some variety of “sallet” or “salat” or similar) were [generally](http://www.godecookery.com/alabama/alabam01.html#sallet) meatless, as were [earlier ones](https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Apicius/3*.html) though not called that, but from [Tudor](http://www.godecookery.com/friends/frec08.htm) times [on](http://www.godecookery.com/engrec/engrec100.html), they had at least eggs in them. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/38 "2021-07-28T20:23:05Z")
A proper Caesar salad has anchovies and egg yolk. I have never heard anyone argue that a Caesar salad in not a salad. Ergo, salads can include animal protein. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/39 "2021-07-28T21:05:43Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > For a thing referred to as just “a salad”, I would say that it has to consist primarily of raw vegetables. What about eggplant salad? The eggplants are fried. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/40 "2021-07-28T21:44:02Z")
I was leaving it implicit that a salad is composed entirely of food. So that rules out eggplant salad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365.md?page=3)