# 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:** 15\ **Page:** 4
**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, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/61 "2022-06-22T15:20:01Z")
So do we. 40 miles to the nearest gas station ([Roy’s](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Roy%27s_Cafe_%26_Motel.jpg)). Not so much hiking as glamping, but the spirit’s the same. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2022, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/62 "2022-06-22T16:38:23Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The deli counter at the grocery store I work at sells a salad made of cold cooked peas, bacon, cheddar cheese, and mayo. That’s a pea salad. That’s a classic dish. Here is a web site with a recipe. > **[Classic Pea Salad Recipe](https://bellyfull.net/pea-salad-recipe/)** > > This classic Pea Salad recipe is made with bacon, cheddar cheese, red onions, and a sweet dressing, all in one bowl and in only 15 minutes! Ree Drummond, the “Pioneer Woman” Food Network celebrity chef, she has her own version which she grew up eating. > **[This Spring Pea Salad Goes Great With Easter Ham](https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a12025/pea-salad/)** > > It's one of Ree's childhood favorites. I’ve had pea salad before, though without the onions the above recipes call for. (I can’t digest onions very well so I avoid them like the plague, even though fried onions are delicious.) > [@Smapti](#): > > It’s not bad, but it’s too rich to have more than a few bites. My thoughts exactly. It’s okay, it tastes fine (nothing to be excited about), but it tends to be really rich. It works well as a small side item at an outdoor Summer BBQ. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/63 "2022-07-02T17:24:34Z")
“Salad” is a remarkably versatile word. No one has yet mentioned macaroni salad or 4 bean salad. Yeah, meat is hardly worth thinking about excluding. Especially if it means denying the existence of BLT pasta salad. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/64 "2022-07-02T18:21:18Z")
Salade Olivier: half a hazel grouse, two potatoes, one small cucumber (or a large cornichon), 3–4 lettuce leaves, 3 large crayfish tails, 1/4 cup cubed aspic, 1 teaspoon of capers, 3–5 olives, and 1 1⁄2 tablespoon Provençal dressing. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/65 "2022-07-02T18:50:59Z")
I had a couple lady bugs in a salad at a restaurant. Lazy kitchen didn’t wash the lettuce properly. I flicked them out of the bowl and enjoyed my bug free salad. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/66 "2022-07-02T18:57:52Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > In Polish, lettuce is _sałata_ and in Hungarian it’s _salata_. And, of course, in Hungarin, it’s pronounced ‘shalata.’ ETA: Those Ross Sisters were insane! ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2022, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/67 "2022-07-03T18:07:51Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I was leaving it implicit that a salad is composed entirely of food. So that rules out eggplant salad. It also rules out anchovies. Seriously, I put one of those in mr mouth once. Def not made out of food. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2022, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/68 "2022-07-03T18:13:11Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Rice, Potato, Pasta and **Cous-Cous** has no place in a salad. [Beg to differ.](https://www.mendocinofarms.com/mendos-signature-curried-couscous-recipe/) ---
**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 3, 2022, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/69 "2022-07-03T19:38:58Z")
Had a lovely tortellini salad yesterday. Tortellini, black pitted olives, artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, seasonings. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/70 "2022-07-03T22:45:10Z")
I’m going to side with “If you offer me a salad, i expect something plant-based. Something made up mostly of cut up raw plants. And if you give me a serving of tuna salad or potato salad, i will feel misled, despite the word ‘salad’ in the names of those foods.” ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/71 "2022-07-03T22:48:55Z")
In my experience, if someone offers a generic salad it will indeed be a plant based dish to accompany a main course. Any other sort of salad (tuna, potato etc) will be specified as such, and I would have little to no recourse to feel misled. As always, YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2022, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/72 "2022-07-21T21:00:22Z")
I’m gonna recommend you just close your eyes if you ever come across the salad section of a Thai menu. Laab muu is one of the best salads ever and I’ve had steaks with more greenery on them. ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/73 "2022-07-22T05:49:44Z")
But similar products are available. I’ve bought McCormack Bac’n Pieces at my local store. It’s even vegan (if that’s important to you). Here are some other brands. > **[10 Best Vegan Bacon Bits in 2023 (January update)](https://strictvegetarians.com/best-vegan-bacon-bits)** > > Best Vegan Bacon Bits Best Products - Updated: January 2023 ---
**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 22, 2022, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/74 "2022-07-22T13:10:32Z")
I think most “bacon bits” are vegan, because soy is cheaper than pork (and also easier to make shelf-stable). ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2022, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365/75 "2022-07-22T22:16:43Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > I’m gonna recommend you just close your eyes if you ever come across the salad section of a Thai menu. > Laab muu is one of the best salads ever and I’ve had steaks with more greenery on them. Now I’m salivating over the memory of the crying tiger steak salad I had a couple years ago. Mmm [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-salad-by-definition-include-animal-protein/947365.md?page=3)