The Ultimate Classic Wedge Salad Recipe with Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
Prepare for a symphony of textures and flavors with every forkful of this classic wedge salad. Imagine a cold, crisp bite of iceberg lettuce, perfectly complemented by salty, smoky bacon bits, creamy and pungent blue cheese crumbles, fresh, delicate chopped chives, and sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes. Drenched in a rich, homemade blue cheese dressing, this decadent salad is more than just a side dish; it’s a culinary experience that will send your taste buds into overdrive. It’s the quintessential steakhouse starter, easily recreated in your own kitchen.
Why This Classic Wedge Salad Recipe Is a Must-Try
Unlike your everyday tossed greens, a wedge salad offers a distinctly unique and elegant presentation that truly stands out. The foundation is an entire head of crisp iceberg lettuce, carefully prepared by peeling away its outer layers and then slicing it into substantial, satisfying wedges. This bold presentation not only looks impressive but also allows each diner to experience the full range of textures from the outer crunch to the tender inner leaves.
What truly elevates this salad is the harmonious combination of its classic toppings: generously scattered crispy bacon, sharp and creamy crumbled blue cheese, delicate fresh chives, and vibrant cherry tomatoes. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, contributing to a symphony of flavors and textures. The star, of course, is the creamy, tangy homemade blue cheese dressing, which binds all the elements together with its rich, savory notes. This isn’t just a salad you’ll eat with a fork; its hearty nature and substantial wedges make a knife an absolute necessity, emphasizing its role as a proper course rather than a mere garnish. It’s an iconic dish for a reason, offering a satisfying depth of flavor and a delightful textural experience that simple salads just can’t match.
Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Wedge Salad
Crafting the perfect wedge salad begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. While the concept is simple, the freshness and flavor of each component truly make this dish shine. You’ll find all precise measurements, ingredient details, and comprehensive instructions in the printable recipe card located at the end of this post. For now, let’s explore the essential elements that come together to create this beloved classic.
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
The Foundation: Crisp Iceberg Lettuce
LETTUCE – A traditional wedge salad is synonymous with iceberg lettuce, and for good reason. Its incredibly crisp texture and mild flavor provide the perfect canvas for the rich toppings. A single, medium-sized head of iceberg lettuce will typically yield 4 generous wedges. When selecting iceberg, look for a firm, compact head with bright green outer leaves, free from brown spots or wilting. Don’t be tempted to substitute with softer lettuces like romaine or butter lettuce, as they won’t provide the signature crunch or hold their wedge shape as effectively.
The Essential Toppings and Their Variations
BACON – While pre-packaged bacon bits are convenient, we highly recommend taking the extra step to cook fresh bacon until perfectly crispy. The rich, smoky flavor and satisfying crunch of freshly cooked, crumbled bacon elevate the salad significantly. You can use regular or thick-cut bacon, depending on your preference for chewiness. For a vegetarian alternative, consider crispy smoked tofu bits or tempeh bacon, which can mimic the savory depth.
BLUE CHEESE CRUMBLES – These add an undeniable depth of rich, tangy, and sometimes pungent flavor that is central to the wedge salad’s appeal. When paired with our homemade blue cheese dressing, the experience is truly exceptional. Different types of blue cheese, like Gorgonzola (milder and creamier), Roquefort (sharp and salty), or Stilton (rich and earthy), can offer subtle variations. If blue cheese isn’t to your taste, crumbled feta, goat cheese, or even a sharp aged white cheddar can provide a similar salty, savory kick, though the flavor profile will be different.
TOMATOES – We’ve opted for vibrant cherry tomatoes, quartered, for their burst of sweetness and juicy texture. Their small size makes them easy to distribute evenly across the wedge. However, you can certainly dice up a larger Roma tomato, or even a beefsteak tomato, in their place. Heirloom tomatoes can also add beautiful color and complex flavor during peak season.
CHIVES – Freshly chopped chives provide a delicate, mild oniony flavor and a beautiful splash of green. They are much subtler than green onions or red onion, offering just the right amount of aromatic accent without overpowering the other ingredients. If chives are unavailable, finely minced green onion tops can be a suitable, albeit slightly stronger, substitute.
BLACK PEPPER – A generous grind of freshly cracked black pepper just before serving adds a wonderful aromatic spice that ties all the flavors together. Avoid pre-ground pepper, which lacks the freshness and potency of freshly ground.
How to Assemble Your Perfect Wedge Salad
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this delectable recipe. For a convenient printable version, complete with precise measurements and full instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this page.
- Prepare the Lettuce: Begin by carefully removing any bruised or wilted outer leaves from the head of iceberg lettuce. Rinse the head thoroughly under cold water, then pat it completely dry. Excess moisture can dilute the dressing and make the lettuce less crisp.
- Cut the Wedges: Place the clean, dry head of lettuce on a sturdy cutting board. Using a sharp chef’s knife, cut the lettuce head directly in half through the core. Then, cut each half in half again, creating four distinct wedges. It’s crucial to cut through the core, as this keeps the leaves attached and helps the wedge maintain its structural integrity. Trim off any remaining hard stem from each wedge for easier eating.
- Dress the Foundation: Carefully place each lettuce wedge onto individual serving plates. Drizzle approximately 1/4 cup of creamy blue cheese dressing generously over each wedge. Ensure the dressing covers most of the top and sides, allowing it to seep into the layers slightly.
- Layer the Toppings: Now, it’s time to add the flavorful components. Evenly sprinkle the cooked and crumbled bacon, the quartered cherry tomatoes, and the freshly chopped chives over each dressed lettuce wedge. Finish by adding a scattering of blue cheese crumbles on top, and a generous grind of fresh black pepper.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Your Wedge Salad
Yes, you can certainly prepare components of your wedge salad in advance, though for optimal crispness, the lettuce is best sliced and dressed just before serving. To prepare ahead, slice the iceberg lettuce into wedges, wrap them individually in damp paper towels, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Cook and crumble your bacon, and quarter your cherry tomatoes, storing them separately in airtight containers. The blue cheese dressing can also be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator. By keeping the ingredients separate, you prevent the lettuce from becoming soggy. When ready to serve, simply arrange the wedges on plates, drizzle with dressing, and add your prepared toppings.
Absolutely! While blue cheese is traditional, the essence of a wedge salad—crisp lettuce and fresh toppings—is still delicious with other creamy dressings. You can substitute the blue cheese dressing with a good ranch dressing, a creamy Caesar dressing, or even a green goddess dressing. For the crumbles, consider using crumbled feta cheese, goat cheese, or even finely shredded sharp cheddar to get a salty, tangy counterpoint without the distinctive blue cheese flavor.
For truly crispy bacon, oven-baking is often preferred over stovetop frying. Lay bacon strips in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until desired crispness is achieved. Drain on paper towels before crumbling. If using the stovetop, cook bacon over medium heat, flipping occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. This method allows for more even cooking and less splattering.
Feel free to get creative with your toppings! Beyond the classics, consider adding thinly sliced red onion or pickled red onion for a sharper bite, toasted pecans or walnuts for extra crunch, hard-boiled egg slices for added protein, or even diced avocado for a creamy element. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill can also add a nice herbaceous note.
Serving Suggestions for Your Wedge Salad
The wedge salad is a versatile dish that shines whether served as an elegant appetizer, a robust side, or even a satisfying light meal on its own. Always remember to serve your wedge salad with both a knife and a fork, as its substantial size and sturdy lettuce require cutting. For an authentic steakhouse experience, pair it with a beautifully cooked main course. It makes an exceptional starter to a luxurious dinner of smoked ribeye steak, a perfectly seared filet mignon, or a juicy spatchcock chicken. The crispness of the lettuce and the tang of the dressing provide a refreshing contrast to rich meats.
Beyond red meat and poultry, a wedge salad also pairs wonderfully with grilled or pan-seared salmon, shrimp scampi, or even hearty vegetarian options like a loaded baked potato. If enjoying it as a main course, consider adding extra protein like grilled chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, or even some black beans for added substance. For a complete meal, a side of crusty bread or garlic toast is perfect for soaking up any extra dressing. When it comes to beverages, a crisp white wine like a Sauvignon Blanc or a lighter-bodied red such as a Pinot Noir can complement the flavors beautifully.
Explore More Delicious Salad Recipes
If you’ve enjoyed this classic wedge salad, you’ll love exploring other refreshing and flavorful salad options:
- Cobb Salad: A timeless American salad featuring crisp greens, chicken, bacon, avocado, egg, and blue cheese.
- Greek Salad: Bursting with Mediterranean flavors from tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese.
- Tzatziki Salad: A cool and refreshing salad inspired by the classic Greek dip.
- Caprese Salad: Simple yet elegant, with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, and basil.
- Caesar Salad: The iconic salad with crisp romaine, croutons, Parmesan, and a tangy Caesar dressing.
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Classic Wedge Salad
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 1 cup blue cheese dressing
- 4 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- ½ cup bleu cheese crumbles
- 1 Tablespoons fresh chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Things You’ll Need
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Chef’s knife
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Cutting board
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Vinyl gloves
Before You Begin
- For superior flavor and texture, we strongly recommend cooking fresh bacon until crispy instead of using pre-packaged bacon bits.
Instructions
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Remove any bruised or wilted outer leaves from the iceberg lettuce head. Rinse thoroughly and pat completely dry.
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Cut the lettuce head in half through the core using a sharp chef’s knife. Then, cut each half in half again to create 4 sturdy wedges. Carefully trim off any excess stem from each wedge.
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Place each lettuce wedge onto individual serving plates. Drizzle approximately 1/4 cup of blue cheese dressing over each wedge.
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Evenly sprinkle the cooked bacon, quartered cherry tomatoes, freshly chopped chives, and a grind of black pepper over each wedge. Finish by topping with blue cheese crumbles. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.