Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing Recipe

Iceberg lettuce: A crisp and refreshing base for the salad.

Bacon: Adds a savory and crunchy element to the salad.

Cherry tomatoes: Provides a burst of sweetness and color.

Red onion: Adds a sharp and tangy flavor.

Mayonnaise: Forms the creamy base of the dressing.

Sour cream: Adds tanginess and richness to the dressing.

Blue cheese: The star ingredient of the dressing, offering a bold and creamy flavor.

Lemon juice: Adds a fresh and zesty note to the dressing.

White wine vinegar: Provides acidity and balance to the dressing.

Garlic: Adds a subtle depth of flavor to the dressing.

Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the salad.

Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and seasoning.

When preparing the iceberg lettuce, ensure it is thoroughly chilled before cutting into wedges. This will help maintain its crisp texture. To enhance the flavor of the bacon, cook it until it's extra crispy, then crumble it finely. For the blue cheese dressing, allow the blue cheese to come to room temperature before mixing; this will help it blend more smoothly with the mayonnaise and sour cream. Finally, when slicing the red onion, use a mandoline for ultra-thin slices that will add a delicate crunch without overpowering the other ingredients.

• iceberg lettuce - Substitute with romaine lettuce: Romaine lettuce provides a similar crunch and can hold up well to the dressing.

• cooked and crumbled bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a leaner option and still provides a smoky flavor.

• halved cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar sweetness and texture.

• thinly sliced red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor and can be a good alternative to red onions.

• mayonnaise - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy texture and adds a bit of tanginess while being lower in fat.

• sour cream - Substitute with creme fraiche: Creme fraiche has a similar consistency and tangy flavor, making it a good substitute.

• crumbled blue cheese - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese offers a similar crumbly texture and a tangy flavor, though less intense than blue cheese.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and can brighten up the dressing.

• white wine vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has a similar acidity and can add a subtle fruity note.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can provide a similar flavor, though it is less pungent than fresh garlic.

• salt and pepper - Substitute with herb seasoning blend: An herb seasoning blend can add complexity and additional flavors to the salad.

• To keep your wedge salad fresh, store the iceberg lettuce wedges separately from the blue cheese dressing and toppings. Wrap each wedge tightly in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. This prevents the lettuce from wilting and keeps it crisp.

• Store the blue cheese dressing in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to a week. Before using, give it a good stir to ensure all ingredients are well combined.

• Keep the cooked and crumbled bacon in a separate airtight container in the refrigerator. This will maintain its crispiness and flavor. It can be stored for up to 3-4 days.

• For the cherry tomatoes and red onion, store them in separate containers in the refrigerator. This helps to maintain their freshness and prevents the onions from overpowering other ingredients with their strong aroma.

• If you need to freeze the blue cheese dressing, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. It can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and stir well before using.

• Avoid freezing the iceberg lettuce and cherry tomatoes as they have high water content and will become mushy upon thawing. Instead, prepare fresh wedges and toppings when ready to serve.

• When ready to assemble, simply unwrap the iceberg lettuce wedges, top with the cherry tomatoes, red onion, and crumbled bacon, and drizzle with the blue cheese dressing. This ensures each component retains its optimal texture and flavor.

• Separate the iceberg lettuce wedges from the toppings and dressing. The lettuce will not reheat well and should be kept cold.

• For the bacon, place the crumbled pieces on a microwave-safe plate lined with a paper towel. Microwave on high for 20-30 seconds until crispy.

• If you prefer to reheat the cherry tomatoes, place them in a small oven-safe dish and warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. This will help retain their texture without making them mushy.

• The blue cheese dressing should be served cold. If it has thickened too much in the fridge, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes or stir in a small amount of lemon juice or white wine vinegar to thin it out.

• Reassemble the salad by placing the cold iceberg lettuce wedges on plates, topping with the reheated bacon and cherry tomatoes, and drizzling with the blue cheese dressing.

• Enjoy your refreshed wedge salad with the perfect balance of cold, crisp lettuce and warm, flavorful toppings.

• Knife: For cutting the iceberg lettuce into wedges and slicing the red onion thinly.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely cut the lettuce and onion.

• Mixing bowl: To whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, blue cheese, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and minced garlic.

• Whisk: For mixing the dressing ingredients thoroughly.

• Measuring cups: To measure out the mayonnaise, sour cream, and blue cheese accurately.

• Measuring spoons: To measure the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, and minced garlic.

• Plates: To arrange the lettuce wedges and toppings.

• Spoon: For drizzling the blue cheese dressing over the salad wedges.

• Bacon crisper or skillet: To cook the bacon slices until crispy.

• Paper towels: For draining the cooked bacon and removing excess grease.

• Garlic press: To mince the garlic clove efficiently.

Pre-cook bacon: Cook and crumble the bacon ahead of time and store it in the fridge to save time during assembly.

Pre-make dressing: Prepare the blue cheese dressing in advance and refrigerate it. This allows the flavors to meld and saves time on the day of serving.

Pre-cut vegetables: Slice the red onion and halve the cherry tomatoes ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge.

Use pre-washed lettuce: Buy pre-washed and pre-cut iceberg lettuce to skip the washing and cutting steps.