Salads are a fairly magnificent way to eat, if you like delicious food, brimming with life force. I love transforming a salad into a masterpiece, like this soul-satisfying Wedge Salad. A salad can be every bit as pleasurable as the rest of the meal, and I’m excited to share my secrets for this one! It’s a fabulously colorful version that all your favorite eaters will love. It will be a game-changer in your weekly meal plan rotation too! If you haven’t already made this one, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!
Wedge salads are a classic old-school dish often served in lovely restaurants. I know people—including myself—who enjoy a salad as a main dish at least once a week. I love updating a classic recipe for modern eaters, and this one is a fabulous example
The wedge salad offers a cool, crisp dish that’s appreciated by steak lovers and vegetarians. Restaurant chefs craft signature salads for their dining rooms. Home chefs keep fresh lettuce in the fridge for building healthy family meals around crisp wedges.
Step-by-step this is how to make the best wedge salad:
- Slice and chill the lettuce: Cut each head of iceberg lettuce into quarters, leaving the stem attached and the leaves as intact as possible. Gently rinse and allow to drain for 5 minutes, then place the quarters on a tea towel-lined dish or baking sheet, cut side up. Place in the fridge so that the lettuce wedges crisp up for 60 minutes.
- Prepare the bacon: Slice the bacon slab on the short side into ½ inch slices and then cut those slices into 1-inch pieces. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat and add the bacon pieces. Saute the bacon until desired crispiness, about 20 minutes. When finished, remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- Prepare the hard-boiled eggs: Fill a pot with enough water to cover the eggs and bring them to a boil. While the water is heating, fill a medium bowl with ice and water. Gently add the eggs and boil for 8 minutes and 40 seconds. Remove the eggs and put them into the ice water for 3 minutes. When the eggs are cool to handle, peel and slice them into 1/4-inch slices—do this lengthwise as you want to be able to see the yolk in each slice. (I learned this method from Chris Kimball.)
- Build your wedge salad: On a large platter, assemble the lettuce wedges cut side up and season them with salt. Evenly distribute the blue cheese then liberally sprinkle chives and parsley. Next, drizzle the dressing over the top. Finish with the egg slices, tomato, bacon, croutons, black pepper, and marinated red onions, if desired.
Fresh and Flavorful: The Importance of Quality Ingredients in a Wedge Salad
The key to a perfect wedge salad is using high-quality ingredients. A crisp lettuce, like iceberg or Romaine, is a must. The toppings are just as important, adding flavor, texture, and nutrition. My personal favorite combo is gluten-free croutons, cherry tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese crumbles, and of course my Marinated Onions.
Adding bacon to your wedge salad is a great way to add flavor and richness to the dish. The smoky, salty flavor of bacon pairs perfectly with the crunch of the lettuce and the tangy dressing. But, how can you tell if your bacon is Whole30 compatible? The key is in the ingredients used in curing. Whole30-compatible bacon must have no sugar or additives.
the misunderstood WEDGE SALAD
FAQ
What is the deal with wedge salad?
When did the wedge salad become popular?
Why do you have a lettuce wedge before steak?
What is the proper way to eat a wedge salad?
What is a wedge salad?
A wedge salad is a classic American steakhouse salad made with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and blue cheese dressing. While it’s quite simple, it looks unique since you cut the head of lettuce in quarters and serve the rest of the ingredients over each “wedge”.
How do you eat a wedge salad?
On a platter or individual plates, spoon the desired amount of dressing on each wedge (you may have some dressing leftover). Top with a quarter of the bacon pieces, tomatoes, chives, and crumbled blue cheese. The easiest way to eat a wedge salad is with a fork and knife. Did you make this recipe? I’d love to know how it turned out!
How do you make a classic wedge salad?
A delicious Classic Wedge Salad is covered in a tasty blue cheese dressing, crunchy bacon, and fresh tomatoes. Remove any wilted outer leaves from the head of lettuce. Keep the core intact and slice the lettuce into quarters with a large knife. The core should hold the wedge together.
What to put on a wedge salad?
Salt and Pepper: Add some salt and pepper to taste. The classic topping for a wedge salad is bacon, tomato, red onion, and more blue cheese along with blue cheese dressing. But that doesn’t mean you cannot take a wedge of iceberg lettuce and make it your own. Wedge salads are easily customizable and still will be absolutely delicious.