Home > Salads > Leafy Green Salads > Wedge Salad Wedge Salad February 17, 2023 | No Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Introducing the ultimate Wedge Salad with the most amazing homemade blue cheese dressing! This classic, crunchy salad is the perfect combination of crisp iceberg lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, smoky bacon bits, and is topped off with the best homemade blue cheese dressing. This dish is a crowd pleaser and always a hit at dinner parties and special events. What Is A Wedge Salad? This is a classic salad made with a whole head of iceberg lettuce that is cut into wedges and topped with various ingredients such as bacon, tomato, onions/chives, and blue cheese dressing. A Classic Salad Wedge salad is a classic dish that never goes out of style. Originating in the 1920s, these hefty chunks of crisp iceberg lettuce were a staple in restaurants and were a symbol of luxury and extravagance. Today, this salad has evolved and continues to be a popular dish in restaurants, with creative and unique flavor combinations popping up all across the United States. As someone who used to work in the restaurant industry, I can attest to the timeless appeal of this dish, especially with its perfect balance of crisp lettuce and tangy blue cheese dressing. In fact, the recipe I’m sharing today is the exact way we made wedge salads at the restaurant where I used to work! This is the salad that made me fall in love with blue cheese and a good blue cheese dressing. If you’re on the fence about either, you’ve got to give this recipe a try! What Dressing Goes On A Wedge Salad The most traditional dressing for this salad is blue cheese dressing, although other options like ranch, thousand island, and balsamic vinaigrette work just fine. Here’s what’s in this blue cheese dressing: Mayonnaise: Use a good mayonnaise; the better the mayo, the better the dressing will taste. I love Hellman’s/Best Foods® (not sponsored). Buttermilk: This ingredient adds tanginess to the dressing and helps to balance the flavors. It’s just not the same with regular milk! Blue cheese: This is the key ingredient that gives the dressing its signature flavor. Look for high-quality, crumbly blue cheese such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton. Garlic: Adds depth of flavor to the dressing. Feel free to use fresh minced garlic in place of garlic powder. White wine vinegar: Adds tanginess to the dressing and helps to balance the flavors. Use apple cider vinegar in a pinch. Lemon juice: Brings brightness and vibrancy to the dressing. We love juicing the lemon with this citrus juicer. Salt and pepper: These ingredients ensure all the flavors are nicely balanced. QUICK TIP Is it blue cheese or bleu cheese? Blue came first, and the spelling of bleu comes from the French fromage bleu (blue cheese). Unless your cheese comes from France and you speak French, just stick with Blue! What To Eat With A Wedge Salad This salad is a classic and substantial dish, often served as an entrée or a side. Pair it with a variety of main dishes or served it as a complete meal! Some popular options to pair with this salad include: Grilled steak: A juicy, flavorful steak would be a great addition to the hearty texture of a wedge. Chicken: Grilled, roasted, or blackened chicken goes well with this salad. Burgers: A classic wedge and a juicy burger (or chicken burger) are a great combination for a hearty meal. Seafood: Serve grilled or pan-fried seafood, such as salmon, shrimp, or scallops alongside this salad. Sandwiches: Hearty sandwiches, such as a French Dip sandwich, club, or roast beef, can also be served with this salad. Hearty dinner: A hearty dinner, such as Short Ribs, Crockpot Roast, or Shepherd’s Pie pairs nicely with this salad. Wedge Salad FAQs1What is the proper way to eat Wedge Salad?The proper way to eat Wedge Salad is to cut it into bite-sized pieces with a fork and knife and enjoy each bite with a dollop of dressing and toppings of your choice. It’s a fork-and-knife salad, and you can eat it as a side dish or a main course, depending on your preferences and the portion size. 2What are the origins of Wedge Salad?Wedge salad is said to have originated in the 1920s and was popular in American steakhouses and fine dining restaurants. 3What ingredients are typically in a Wedge Salad?A traditional Wedge Salad consists of a wedge of iceberg lettuce, crumbled blue cheese, bacon, tomato, onion, and blue cheese dressing. 4Is a Wedge Salad healthy?While a Wedge Salad can be a healthy option, it depends on the ingredients used. Iceberg lettuce is low in calories but doesn’t have much nutritional value. Adding high-fat toppings such as bacon and blue cheese dressing can increase the calorie count significantly. 5How is Wedge Salad served?Wedge Salad is typically served with a large wedge of lettuce on a plate and the toppings and dressing spread on top and drizzling down the sides. 6Can Wedge Salad be made ahead of time?Yes, a wedge salad can be made ahead of time, but it’s best to keep all the ingredients separate until ready to serve to prevent the lettuce from getting soggy. Dressing can be made in advance and stored in the fridge. 7Can Wedge Salad be made with other types of lettuce?While a classic wedge salad is made with iceberg lettuce, some variations may use other types of lettuce such as romaine or Bibb lettuce. The round shape and compact leaves of iceberg lettuce make it the idea choice to hold its shape once it’s cut. If you’re not concerned about maintaining the wedgy shape, you can use any kind of lettuce. More Salad Recipes To Love: Brown Rice Salad with a lemon vinaigrette Teriyaki Chicken Salad with pasta Sweet Potato Salad with black beans and avocado Jennifer Aniston Salad with cucumber and fresh herbs Blueberry Corn Salad with a fresh mint dressing FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Wedge Salad 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe Introducing the ultimate Wedge Salad with the most amazing homemade blue cheese dressing! This classic, crunchy salad is the perfect combination of crisp iceberg lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, smoky bacon bits, and is topped off with the best homemade blue cheese dressing. This dish is a crowd pleaser and always a hit at dinner parties and special events. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Wedge Salad 5 from 1 vote - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Introducing the ultimate Wedge Salad with the most amazing homemade blue cheese dressing! This classic, crunchy salad is the perfect combination of crisp iceberg lettuce, juicy cherry tomatoes, smoky bacon bits, and is topped off with the best homemade blue cheese dressing. This dish is a crowd pleaser and always a hit at dinner parties and special events. Course Dinner, Salad, Side Dish Cuisine American, Healthy Keyword wedge salad Prep Time 25 minutes Total Time 25 minutes Servings 4 salads Calories 360kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $5.98 IngredientsSalad▢ 4 slices bacon▢ 1 head iceberg lettuce▢ 1¼ cups cherry tomatoes, halved▢ Optional: fresh chives Blue Cheese Dressing▢ ⅓ cup (1.8 oz.) crumbled blue cheese, plus more for topping the salad (Note 1)▢ ⅓ cup buttermilk▢ ⅓ cup mayonnaise (like Best Foods) (Note 2)▢ ¼ cup sour cream▢ 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar▢ ½ teaspoon each: garlic powder and white granulated sugar▢ 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice▢ Fine sea salt & pepper▢ Optional: 1 tbsp. fresh chivesUS - Metric USMetric InstructionsDRESSING: To measure blue cheese, pack it tightly in a 1/3 measuring cup. Then transfer the measured blue cheese to a medium-sized bowl. Mash blue cheese and buttermilk together with a fork until the mixture resembles large-curd cottage cheese*. Add in the remaining dressing ingredients. Season to taste with salt & pepper (I add 1/4 tsp salt & 1/2 tsp pepper). If desired, add in 1 tbsp fresh chives. Stir until well combined. Taste and adjust to personal preference. Cover dressing and place in the fridge until ready to use. Stir again before using. *If you'd rather have a smooth dressing, blend everything except the chives together. Stir through chives after blending. BACON: Cook bacon, let cool, and finely chop.SALAD: Cut the head of lettuce into quarters, remove cores, and discard any bad outer leaves. Set cut wedges on individual plates. Spoon dressing (adding to taste) over individual wedges. (You may have leftover dressing; it will keep up to a week in the fridge). Divide bacon, tomatoes, and extra blue cheese evenly among the wedges. If desired, sprinkle chives on top. Serve salads with a fork and knife! Video Recipe NotesNote 1: Blue cheese: This is the key ingredient that gives the dressing its signature flavor so use a good brand. Look for high-quality, crumbly blue cheese such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola, or Stilton. Note 2: Mayonnaise: Use a good mayonnaise; the better the mayo, the better the dressing will taste. I love Hellman’s/Best Foods®. Nutrition FactsServing: 1serving | Calories: 360kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 535mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1197IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 1mg We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! 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