A Classic Wedge Salad is salad perfection and is a classic for good reason. The crunch of the iceberg paired with the crispy, smokey bacon and the creamy homemade blue-cheese dressing is absolutely dreamy. Throw in some juicy tomatoes and diced red onions, and you've got a salad worthy of a medal.
This wedge salad recipe is also so quick and easy to throw together, it will soon be a family favorite when you need a step up from the regular green salad.
Let's get started!
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If you're looking for other great salad recipe ideas, you've come to the right place! Here's come of my favorites!
- Grilled Shrimp Salad - It has a green onion vinaigrette that is amazing!
- Not a salad, but the best ranch dressing you will ever have. Ever.
- Italian Chopped Salad - This is the salad you need to make when you're hungry. It's beyond delicious and it'll keep your belly full for hours!
A Word About the Blue Cheese
Let's address the elephant in the room - the blue cheese. I get it. Blue cheese does have a bit of a reputation and stanky funk to it, and some people just do not like it. I've yet to convince my own best friend that it's amazing. She's got her quirks, what can I say.
There are definitely blue cheeses out there that are better than others. There are some that will knock you over with their smell. You just have to find one you like. I am a huge fan of the Point Reyes brand of blue cheese. It's wonderful and creamy and has just the right amount of that blue cheese flavor without making your eyes cross.
I do suggest staying away from the ones that are already crumbled. They usually have some sort of unnecessary additive to keep it from sticking.
And, if you are not on team blue cheese and just cannot do it, you have options. My first suggestion would be to use feta. It has a tangy, briny flavor that would be fantastic. Parmesan would also be a great substitute because of the nutty, saltiness. Goat cheese would also be wonderful because it has the tanginess without the funk.
The Details and Some Tips
The Dressing
We can't have a the very-best-ever-in-the-history-of-ever Wedge Salad without a fantastic blue cheese dressing. And, what's even better? This blue cheese dressing will come together in a matter of minutes. Grab a mixing bowl and let's go!
All you have to do for the dressing is mix everything together. Mayonnaise and sour cream make up the base. Then Worcestershire and white wine vinegar are added for a little tang. Crumble the blue cheese, mixy-mixy, and you're done. I love to finish mine with a healthy dose of black pepper and some fresh parsley.
Throw the dressing in the fridge until you're ready to use it. I will suggest making it at least 1 hour before you're ready to eat. The flavors will develop and the dressing will be tastier if you give it a little time.
How To Cut A Wedge
Iceberg lettuce is the classic lettuce for a classic wedge. It goes together with blue cheesing dressing like bacon on a bun. For this salad, you'll want to use whole heads of iceberg. Simply cut them in half and cut each half into another half. The quarters become the wedges for our salad.
You'll want to rinse each quarter and remove any excess water. You can store them, wrapped in paper towels or dish towels in the fridge. They'll stay good for 1-2 weeks like this. Should you need to, just cut off any browning that might appear on the edges.
Make It Pretty
A Classic Wedge Salad is gorgeous laid out on a nice platter. Take the time to arrange it because, remember, you eat with your eyes first!
For the base, I start with simple, quartered iceberg lettuce. I then add halved cherry tomatoes and finely diced red onion. Next is the bacon. Very important. Because, bacon. Make it rain bacon.
Dollop the blue cheese dressing over the top, add a little flakey sea salt and cracked black pepper. Now, lightly drizzle the wedge salad with the balsamic vinegar. For both flavor and a contrast of color, I highly suggest not skipping this step.
And, that's it! You have a gorgeous Classic Wedge Salad fit for any occasion!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this recipe gluten-free?
My Classic Wedge Salad recipe is 100% gluten-free.
What do I serve with a wedge salad?
If you are serving this wedge salad as a side, think:
Steak
Roasted Chicken
Grilled Seafood
Fried Turkey
Prime Rib
However, I love it so much that I often make it for my lunch. I'll throw anything from a little rotisserie chicken to some grilled shrimp on top for extra protein. You cannot go wrong.
What's with the balsamic vinegar?
Balsamic vinegar may seem like a strange ingredient for a wedge salad, but just hear me out. It's only for a drizzle at the end. It gives the wedge salad a hint of sweet with a little tang that absolutely puts this recipe over the top.
I highly encourage you to purchase a good quality balsamic and use it for the recipe. You can thank me later.
How long will the blue cheese dressing stay good?
If stored in an airtight container in the fridge, this dressing will stay good for up to a week.
Recipe
Wedge Salad With Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
Blue Cheese Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4-6 oz good quality blue cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsely, chopped
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- kosher salt to taste
- fresh ground pepper to taste
Wedge Salad
- 2 heads iceberg lettuce, quartered
- 1 pkg bacon, crisped and crumbled
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, small diced
- balsamic vinegar for drizzling
- flakey sea salt to taste
- fresh cracked pepper to taste
Instructions
Make The Dressing
- Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a mixing bowl.
- Throw the dressing in the fridge until you're ready to use it. I will suggest making it at least 4 hours before you're ready to eat. The flavors will develop and the dressing will be tastier if you give it a little time.
Arrange The Salad
- For the base, I start with the quartered iceberg lettuce. Add halved cherry tomatoes and finely diced red onion. Sprinkle with the bacon.
- Dollop the blue cheese dressing over the top, add a little flakey sea salt and cracked black pepper.
- Lightly drizzle the wedge salad with the balsamic vinegar.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
If you guys make this Classic Wedge Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments! And, as always, be kind. I'm only human.
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Wedge Salad recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
-Rufus
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Amanda Stevens says
This dressing is my new favorite. I took your advice and got the Point Reyes cheese. It’s so much better than the crumbled stuff. Love the simplicity. We use it as a veggie dip too!