Absolutely! Here’s a full breakdown of the Maurice Salad, a Detroit classic, with every detail you’re looking for. This format is perfect for sharing online or saving for your recipe collection.
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🥗 Maurice Salad: A Detroit Classic
“I haven’t had a Maurice Salad in ages!! They are harder to find these days. I’m from Detroit and maybe you still see them on menus there but I haven’t been back in quite a few years.”
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📜 Introduction & Origin
The Maurice Salad is a beloved culinary relic from the heyday of J.L. Hudson’s department store in downtown Detroit. Once a staple in Hudson’s elegant dining room, this hearty salad offered a touch of refinement in the bustling city. It combines crisp vegetables, sweet pickles, hard-boiled eggs, julienned meats, and a creamy, slightly tangy Maurice dressing that’s truly one-of-a-kind. For many Detroiters, the salad evokes memories of lunches with family, holiday shopping trips, and the golden age of department stores.
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🌍 Cultural Significance
For locals and former residents of Detroit, the Maurice Salad is more than a menu item—it’s a memory. It represents an era of civic pride and the city’s rich commercial and culinary past. Though Hudson’s is long gone, the Maurice Salad lives on in regional nostalgia, occasionally appearing on menus at Michigan diners and family restaurants. Recreating it at home is a way to reconnect with your roots and share a taste of Detroit with others.
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🧂 Ingredients & Quantity (Serves 4)
For the Salad:
1 cup julienned ham (¼-inch strips)
1 cup julienned turkey breast (or chicken)
1 cup julienned Swiss cheese
½ cup sweet gherkins, thinly sliced
½ cup celery, finely sliced
½ cup green olives, sliced (optional)
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
4 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded or chopped
1 cup romaine or butter lettuce, chopped (optional)
For the Maurice Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt & white pepper to taste
2 tbsp milk or half-and-half (to thin, as needed)
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➕ Optional Additions
A sprinkle of paprika for garnish
Chopped fresh parsley or chives
Sliced cherry tomatoes (not traditional but a modern touch)
Swap in rotisserie chicken for ease
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✅ Tips for Success
Chill all ingredients before assembling for a crisp, refreshing bite.
Slice meats and cheese uniformly for a balanced texture.
Let the dressing sit for at least 30 minutes to develop flavor.
Toss salad just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp.
For a lighter option, try a mix of Greek yogurt and mayo in the dressing.
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🧾 Instructions
1. Make the Dressing:
In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, vinegar, lemon juice, relish, mustard, sugar, Worcestershire, salt, and pepper. Add milk or half-and-half to reach desired consistency. Chill.
2. Prep the Ingredients:
Julienne the ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese. Chop lettuce, slice celery and pickles, and prepare hard-boiled eggs.
3. Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine lettuce, meats, cheese, celery, pickles, and olives. Toss gently.
4. Add Dressing:
Pour desired amount of chilled Maurice dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
5. Garnish & Serve:
Top with chopped eggs and sprinkle with paprika or fresh herbs if using. Serve immediately.
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🥗 Description
The Maurice Salad is crisp, creamy, savory, and slightly sweet—with a balance of textures from tender meats, crunchy vegetables, and rich cheese. The signature dressing ties everything together with a nostalgic zing that makes each bite memorable.
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🔍 Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Approximate)
> Based on 4 servings with dressing
Calories: 430
Protein: 24g
Fat: 33g
Carbs: 8g
Sugar: 5g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: ~780mg
Note: Values vary based on specific ingredients/brands.
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📝 Conclusion & Recommendation
The Maurice Salad is a time capsule on a plate—a satisfying, protein-packed dish that brings the warmth of Detroit’s history to your kitchen. Whether you’re reliving memories or discovering this classic for the first time, it’s a recipe worth revisiting.
Recommended for:
Lunches with guests
Retro-themed dinner nights
Midwest nostalgia lovers
High-protein meal prep
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💚 Embracing Healthful Indulgence
Even indulgent classics like the Maurice Salad can fit into a balanced lifestyle. Loaded with lean protein and low in carbs, it’s easily adaptable for low-sugar or keto-style diets. Swap mayo for light versions, cut back on sugar in the dressing, or add more greens for a fresher spin—without losing its signature charm.
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🥄 Recipe in Comments (CMT): 😋👇
> Maurice Salad (Serves 4)
🥬 Lettuce (4 cups)
🥩 Ham & Turkey (1 cup each, julienned)
🧀 Swiss Cheese (1 cup, julienned)
🥒 Pickles (½ cup, sliced)
🥚 Eggs (2, chopped)
🥄 Celery, Olives (½ cup each)
Dressing:
Mayo (1 cup), Vinegar (2 tbsp), Lemon Juice (1 tbsp), Pickle Relish (1 tbsp), Dijon Mustard (1 tbsp), Sugar (2 tsp), Worcestershire (1 tsp), Salt & White Pepper, Milk (2 tbsp if needed).
👉 Mix dressing, chill. Toss salad ingredients with dressing. Garnish with eggs & paprika. Serve cold!
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