Cheesecake Factory Luau Salad Copycat Recipe

This Cheesecake Factory Luau Salad is perfect for summer on the patio. It may take a bit of time, but these salads will sure to be a showstopper! For more Cheesecake Factory copycats, check out our Fried Mac and Cheese and Avocado Egg Rolls.

Better Than Cheesecake Factory

If you’ve been to The Cheesecake Factory restaurant chain, you’ve likely indulged in their beautiful salads and entrees! My favorite salad is their Luau salad (which isn’t on their menu currently). It’s a stacked salad loaded with tropical flavors that will make you think you’re on an island getaway in Hawaii. I’ve recreated this delicious salad and even added a few extras to make it even better than the Cheesecake Factory favorite! The macadamia nuts also add amazing texture and a are a nice tropical complementary flavor. One of my favorite parts of the salad are the giant wontons. I had a hard time finding wonton wrappers so I substituted wonton strips instead. They are easily found in the salad topping section of the grocery store and have the same tasty flavor as the original large. I hope you enjoy the tropical island flavors soon!

Making Luau Salad

On a dinner plate, layer:

a large, uncut lettuce leaf sprinkle with a bit of chicken pineapple oranges onion celery wonton strips

TOP. Repeat this process 3-4 times until you’ve used all of your ingredients. Top the salad with the macadamia nuts and sprinkle with sesame seeds. DRESSING. In a large glass measuring cup, measure out the juice, vinegar, oil, honey, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine all ingredients. Pour over salad. Enjoy right away.

Ingredient Tips + Storing Info

Tips:

Making the dressing ahead of time not only saves time when you’re making the rest of the salad, but it allows for all the flavors of the dressing to blend together. You can also slice and prepare the veggies and fruit beforehand to save you time. Just wait to throw it all together until right before it is served so it stays fresh. If you decide to fry your own wontons I want to warn you they cook quickly and continue to cook a bit even after removing them from the pan. I suggest removing them a shade lighter than you want and they will end up perfect!

If you are planning on having leftovers I suggest STORING the ingredients and dressing separately. It will keep everything fresh and prevent the salad from getting soggy. STORE the fruit and vegetables in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 3-5 days. STORE any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. Wontons and nuts/seeds can be stored at room temperature.