Iceberg Wedge Salad Recipe
I don’t make many “copycat” recipes because I like to put my own spin on things – and this Outback Wedge Salad Copycat is not an exact replica – but it boasts the same playful, magical combination of tangy Blue Cheese Dressing and sweet Balsamic Reduction found in Outback’s Wedge Salad that both Patrick and my taste buds went crazy for – the combo is sheer brilliance. In fact, Patrick was craving this glorious symphony of flavors so urgently, we had to go back the very next week. It’s that good. And now this Wedge Salad recipe is that good. It’s light and refreshing yet satisfying at the same time. Its simple to make yet the bold contrasting flavors and textures are complicated enough to please even the toughest critic. This Outback Wedge Salad can be completely customized depending on your mood, pantry or by forming a salad bar. Basically, it’s salad perfection. And did I already emphasize how easy this Wedge Salad is? So easy, in fact it’s the first recipe I made and photographed in almost three weeks after recovering from my pneumonia (see IG post HERE) because I knew it was going to be a breeze to make. I mean, slicing lettuce 4 ways?! whisking dressing ingredients together? You got this!
WHAT IS A WEDGE SALAD?
If you aren’t familiar with Wedge Salad, it is a simple salad made from a head of iceberg lettuce that is chopped into four pieces to create wedges. It is Connolly served at steakhouses – but don’t be intimidated, it is super easy to make! The traditional dressing for Wedge Salad is blue cheese dressing, so Wedge Salad is sometimes called Blue Cheese Salad. I’ve include a fabulous homemade blue cheese dressing recipe, but you are welcome to use your own ore store bought as well. Wedge Salads are then topped with crispy bacon, blue cheese crumbles. and tomatoes. Wedge Salads are traditionally served as side salads although you can make the a complete meal with grilled chicken or shrimp.
Wedge Salad Recipe ingredients
Wedge Salad always begins with a head of iceberg lettuce chopped into wedges – thus the name – but then comes the fun part – toppings! Traditional Wedge Salad Toppings include:
blue cheese dressing bacon crumbles diced tomato and chives.
I topped this Outback Wedge Salad with your traditional toppings of juicy tomatoes and crispy bacon and then added sweet raw corn (my fav- don’t be tempted to cook!), creamy avocado and punchy red onions and thought it was magnificent, but the possibilities really are endless. You could add petite peas, croutons, pecans or turn it Fall festive with dried cranberries. Just as long as you make the Blue Cheese Ranch. Because really, this best wedge salad is just a vehicle for the creamy, pungent dressing.
DO YOU WASH LETTUCE FOR WEDGE SALAD?
Wedge Salad starts with a head of iceberg lettuce. You will need to wash your lettuce first so it not only is sanitary, but so you don’t taste any gritty dirt.
HOW DO YOU MAKE WEDGE PIECES?
I LOVE that there is hardly any cutting involved with making wedge salad! all you need to do is create 4 wedge pieces. Once you wash your head of lettuce, it’s time to cut:
What Dressing Goes On A Wedge Salad?
Blue Cheese Dressing is the traditional dressing for Wedge Salad and my Blue Cheese Dressing is to live for! It’s SO creamy and flavorful with just the right amount of kick to compliment the crispy lettuce. If you are not a blue cheese fan, then you can easily start off with less blue cheese crumbles and add more to taste. It will still taste flavorful, just more like ranch. I also love that you can make this Blue Cheese Dressing in advance and store it an airtight container until ready to serve – making this Wedge Salad even easier. And then there’s the Balsamic Reduction. It’s the sweet, bright, refreshing answer to balance the creamy richness of the dressing and meaty bacon and takes all but 5 minutes to make. SO worth it for Wedge Salad perfection.
HOW TO MAKE A WEDGE SALAD
CAN I PREPARE ANYTHING AHEAD OF TIME?
Absolutely! I love this Wedge Salad because you can make almost everything in advance which makes it a fabulous salad for company. Vegetables: You can dice your tomatoes, chop your onion and cut the corn off its ear ahead of time. I do not recommend storing your pre-cut veggies longer than a day because the beauty of this salad is its freshness. Bacon: You could cook your bacon and crumble it ahead of time too. Just make sure to store your pre-cut ingredients in an airtight container or zip bag and place in your refrigerator. Dressing: Your homemade Blue Cheese Dressing can be made up to 2 days in advance, as long as you store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator. I would not recommend cutting your wedges ahead of time because you would lose the crispness of the lettuce. No one wants to cut into a limp lettuce wedge! You also don’t want to make the Balsamic Reduction in advance or it will harden.
Tips for making a Lettuce Wedge Salad
Choose the Right Lettuce: Use a head of iceberg lettuce for its crisp texture and ability to hold toppings well. Chill the Ingredients: Ensure all ingredients, including lettuce, toppings (like bacon, tomatoes, blue cheese), and dressing, are chilled before assembling. Cut the Wedges Properly: Cut the lettuce into wedges and keep them intact for presentation and ease of eating. Drizzle Dressing Strategically: Pour the dressing over the wedges just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy. Add Toppings Creatively: Sprinkle toppings evenly over the lettuce wedges for a balanced flavor in each bite.
HOW DO YOU EAT A WEDGE SALAD?
I’m so glad that you asked! Wedge salads are so fun to eat and are absolutely delicious. Put your fork in the center of the wedge, tines straight down toward the bottom of the plate. Then with your knife, cut from the corner nearest you, one bite at a time. Most wedge salads have bacon pieces, blue cheese crumbles and tiny bits of tomato on top. (Mine features even more tiny bits of greatness on top, hello avocado, corn and onion!) Feel free to scoop some of that yummy goodness onto your fork along with your bite of lettuce from the wedge. You can rotate your plate if you need to as you continue to cut your salad one bite at a time.
Looking for more Salad Recipes?
Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad wit Italian Dressing Perfect Fruit Salad with Honey Citrus Dressing Strawberry Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Southwest Salad with Creamy Salsa Dressing Strawberry Broccoli Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing Asian Salad with Sriracha Peanut Dressing Southwest Orzo Salad with Chipotle Honey Lime Vinaigrette
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