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This DIY Wedge Salad perfectly captures the essence of a beloved steakhouse classic. With crunchy iceberg lettuce, plump cherry tomatoes, crispy bacon bits, and rich blue cheese dressing, you'll create restaurant-worthy results without much fuss. It works brilliantly as a standalone light meal or impressive side that always gets compliments.
What Makes This Salad Special
The magic of wedge salads comes from their no-frills approach and wow-factor look. Each iceberg quarter works as a sturdy foundation that lets the toppings do the talking. You'll love how the cool, crisp lettuce plays against the thick, tangy dressing, while the bacon adds smokiness and tomatoes bring a hint of sweetness. It's a fancy-looking dish that's actually super easy to pull together at home.
What You'll Need
- For the Main Components:
- 1 big head iceberg lettuce, cut into quarters
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, fried and broken up
- 1/2 cup blue cheese chunks
- 1/4 cup chives, chopped small
- For the Homemade Dressing:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 4 ounces blue cheese, broken into pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Extra Toppings If You Want:
- More blue cheese pieces
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- Extra chopped chives
- DIY croutons
Easy How-To Guide
- Mix Up Your Dressing
- Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk in a bowl and stir until blended. Gently mix in the blue cheese chunks, chopped garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and chives. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pop it in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
- Get Your Bacon Ready
- Fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat for about 8-10 minutes until it's nice and crispy. Place on paper towels to soak up excess grease. Once it cools down, break it into small pieces.
- Fix Your Lettuce
- Take off the outer leaves from your iceberg head. Slice it down the middle, then cut each half again to make four wedges. Give them a quick rinse and pat them completely dry with paper towels.
- Put It All Together
- Set each wedge on its own plate. Pour a good amount of dressing over each piece, letting it run into all the nooks and crannies. Scatter halved tomatoes, bacon bits, and more blue cheese on top.
- Add Final Touches
- Sprinkle with fresh chives and a bit more black pepper. Serve right away while everything's still cold and crunchy.
Tricks for the Best Results
Look for a solid, weighty iceberg lettuce. Knock the stem end on your counter and twist to remove the core easily. Stick your plates in the fridge before serving to keep everything extra crisp. Make your dressing a couple hours early so the flavors can mix together. Make sure to dry your lettuce completely or you'll end up with watery dressing.
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Tasty Pairing Ideas
Don't wait around after putting this together - eat it right away for maximum crunch. Fancy it up by using cold plates when you serve it. It goes great with a juicy steak, baked chicken, or can stand alone as a light dinner. For parties, keep all parts separate and throw them together just before eating. Give folks extra dressing on the side so they can add more if they want.
Prep-Ahead Options
You can make the dressing up to a week early and keep it in a sealed container in your fridge. Cook your bacon a day or two ahead of time. Wrap prepped lettuce wedges in paper towels and plastic for up to 24 hours in the fridge. Don't put everything together until right before you want to eat it. Any leftover dressing stays good in the fridge for about a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Which blue cheese works well here?
- Try mild, creamy varieties like Maytag or Roquefort. Steer clear of ones that are too sharp or overly runny.
- → Can I switch the dressing up?
- Absolutely! Ranch, caesar, or even balsamic vinaigrette work nicely as substitutes for blue cheese.
- → What’s the trick for clean wedges?
- Peel off any wilted outer leaves, slice the head in half, then cut each half into quarters. Keep the core intact to hold them together.
- → Can I prepare this in advance?
- The dressing and bacon can be made ahead, but keep the lettuce assembly for last so it stays crisp.
- → Want extra crunch?
- Toss in some croutons, toasted breadcrumbs, or even chopped nuts for more texture.