# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/41 "2021-07-28T21:52:08Z")
What about potato salad? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/42 "2021-07-28T21:59:01Z")
Or Solid potato salad! [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/d1J3NLNWAPU/hqdefault.jpg "The Ross Sisters - Solid Potato Salad (DVD Quality) Full Video") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1J3NLNWAPU) ---
**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, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/43 "2021-07-28T22:44:56Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I was leaving it implicit that a salad is composed entirely of food. So that rules out eggplant salad. Sure, go ahead - alienate the entire Mediterranean Basin. See how that works out for you. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2021, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/44 "2021-07-28T22:51:06Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > the entire Mediterranean Basin. …and then there’s Salad Niçoise! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/45 "2022-06-22T02:58:06Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I love me a huge steak salad Pittsburgh style. Well, I guess that is better than Cincinnati-style chili but I still wouldn’t put french fries on salad. There are some weird culinary trends that follow the Ohio River; it must be something in the water. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/46 "2022-06-22T03:02:23Z")
I assume that a spammer revived a wilted salad thread and got cornfielded. But why a salad thread? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/47 "2022-06-22T03:29:13Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > TIL that [Bacos](https://m.youtube.com/results?sp=mAEA&search_query=Bacos+commercial) have been discontinued. So this thread is a year old and I stumbled on to it for whatever reason it was on the front page, and I’m sitting here drooling over all these delicious salads and “salads”. But also, I was just having a conversation with my parents a couple hours ago about bacon bits and we talked about how “Bacos are cancelled. People don’t put up with that shit anymore.” Weird, man. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/48 "2022-06-22T03:57:47Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > What about eggplant salad? The eggplants are fried. The deli counter at the grocery store I work at sells a salad made of cold cooked peas, bacon, cheddar cheese, and mayo. No raw vegetables in there either. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/49 "2022-06-22T04:15:02Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The deli counter at the grocery store I work at sells a salad made of cold cooked peas, bacon, cheddar cheese, and mayo. Do people…eat…that? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/50 "2022-06-22T04:55:28Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Do people…eat…that? I’ve ordered it once or twice. It’s not bad, but it’s too rich to have more than a few bites. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/51 "2022-06-22T07:02:54Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > Of course it can. > > I can sort of get behind the idea that egg salad, tuna salad, etc. aren’t what I would think of if someone said “salad.” If I ordered something in a restaurant and it just said it came with salad as a side and it turned out to be a glob of tuna mixed with mayo, I would be a bit vexed. Absolutely. For me a Tuna Salad or Chicken Salad is a salad of lettuce and other mixed salad vegetables with Tuna or Chicken mixed through and a light dressing. Those globs of protein mixed with mayo and a little celery and/or onion mixed through are an abomination. Standard side salad in a pub with a steak and chips would be some lettuce, red onion, cucumber, tomato, maybe a bit of grated carrot and a light vinegary dressing. I do like a Thai Beef Salad or a Chicken Caesar for a light lunch, so yes of course a salad can contain animal protein. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/52 "2022-06-22T07:04:40Z")
Example of a real Tuna Salad. > **[Mediterranean tuna salad](https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/mediterranean-tuna-salad/e3fb7eaf-79cf-45f9-8e13-9592727b92b8?nk=1c51f0c880bc17f3ccf7c81ed62f8457-1674205577)** > > The ultimate kitchen resource with 50,000 free recipes, plus menus, videos and cooking tips. Australia's #1 food site ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 10:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/53 "2022-06-22T10:28:24Z")
Personally I’m irked by the likes of serious carbs being stuck in there, it seems to be standard in most pre-prepared salads in the UK now. Rice, Potato, Pasta and Cous-Cous has no place in a salad. Much less than meat, which is the lead singer in the salad rock band. Also, “Potato Salad” isn’t salad. It’s “Mayotato” they don’t call Chicken Mayo “Chicken Salad”. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/54 "2022-06-22T10:47:29Z")
Wait, what? > **[Best Chicken Salad](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/8499/basic-chicken-salad/)** > > This creamy chicken salad recipes uses basic ingredients, along with crunchy almonds and celery, to produce a delicious lunch that's ready in just 10 minutes. > **[Chicken Salad with Grapes Recipe](https://addapinch.com/chicken-salad-with-grapes-recipe/)** > > Chicken Salad with Grapes recipe makes a quick, delicious meal! It has roasted pecans for the best chicken salad recipe! > **[Classic Chicken Salad - Spend With Pennies](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/classic-chicken-salad-recipe/)** > > A classic chicken salad recipe uses a few simple ingredients to create a cold, creamy salad filling for the perfect homemade chicken salad sandwich! ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/55 "2022-06-22T12:40:28Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Wait, what? Yeah, that proves that you 'mericans will call any old crap a salad. ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/56 "2022-06-22T13:00:11Z")
I don’t know if this conclusively answers the question in the OP or not but last week I bought a salad kit in the grocery store that was labeled “plant-based” salad. ---
**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:** [June 22, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/57 "2022-06-22T13:44:45Z")
Yeah, but as I mentioned in post #29, that’s hardly exclusive to Americans. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/58 "2022-06-22T15:10:56Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > Absolutely. For me a Tuna Salad or Chicken Salad is a salad of lettuce and other mixed salad vegetables with Tuna or Chicken mixed through and a light dressing. There’s a big difference in meaning between “ **a** tuna salad” or “ **a** chicken salad,” which is what you describe, and “tuna salad” or “chicken salad” (without an article), which are substances/concoctions of their own (often used as sandwich filling), as in the recipes @madmonk28 linked. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/59 "2022-06-22T15:16:15Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Do people…eat…that? Hell, swap out the cheese for diced green onion and serve warm and it’s our standard salad at Thanksgiving. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/60 "2022-06-22T15:17:30Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Hell, swap out the cheese for diced green onion and serve warm and it’s our standard salad at Thanksgiving. This is why I spend Thanksgiving hiking somewhere remote. Stranger [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365.md?page=4)