Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Wedge Salad Recipe is a classic and crisp recipe, which is made with a creamy homemade blue cheese dressing and crispy bacon. It’s the perfect steakhouse side, ready in about 50 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Wedge Salad Recipe Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 8 slices bacon, cooked, cooled and crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- Toasted pecans or walnuts (optional)
Easy Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing:
- 1 cup sour cream, light
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 Tablespoons buttermilk
- 3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
- 4 ounces blue cheese, reserve a few spoonfuls for garnish
How To Make Pioneer Woman Wedge Salad Recipe
- Make the dressing: In a medium bowl, stir all of the dressing ingredients together until well combined. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Cook the bacon: While the dressing chills, cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp. Remove it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool, then crumble it.
- Prepare the lettuce: Cut the head of iceberg lettuce in half through the core. Cut each half into two or three wedges, depending on the size of the head.
- Assemble and serve: Place a lettuce wedge on each individual plate. Spoon a generous amount of the blue cheese dressing over the top. Sprinkle with the crumbled bacon, halved tomatoes, chopped red onion, and a few extra blue cheese crumbles. Season with fresh black pepper to taste.
Recipe Tips
- How to get a perfectly crisp wedge? The key is to use a fresh, cold, and firm head of iceberg lettuce. After cutting, you can pat the wedges dry with a paper towel to ensure the dressing clings well.
- Can I make the dressing ahead of time? Absolutely! The blue cheese dressing is actually better when made a day in advance. This gives the flavors time to fully develop. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- How do I cut a perfect wedge? To ensure the wedges hold together, leave the core intact. Cut the head of lettuce in half from the top down through the core, then cut each half into wedges.
- What if I don’t like blue cheese? If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, this salad is also delicious with a creamy homemade ranch or Caesar dressing.
What To Serve With Wedge Salad
This classic steakhouse salad is a fantastic appetizer or side dish.
- A perfectly grilled steak or pork chop
- Roasted or fried chicken
- A hearty bowl of French onion soup
- A simple burger
How To Store Wedge Salad
- Best Eaten Fresh: A wedge salad is best assembled and eaten immediately to maintain the crispness of the lettuce.
- Store Separately: You can store the homemade dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. The chopped toppings can also be stored separately.
Wedge Salad Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 123kcal
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Protein: 7g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 402mg
- Potassium: 259mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why is it called a wedge salad?
It gets its name from the way the lettuce is served—in a large, crisp wedge rather than in chopped or torn leaves.
What’s the best way to cook bacon for a salad?
For the crispiest bacon crumbles, you can cook the slices in a skillet, bake them on a sheet pan in the oven, or even cook them in an air fryer until perfectly crisp before crumbling.
Can I use a different type of lettuce?
Iceberg lettuce is traditional and essential for the classic crunch of a wedge salad. While other lettuces won’t provide the same texture, hearts of romaine could be used as a substitute if necessary.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Waldorf Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Wedge Salad Recipe
Description
A classic, crisp, and refreshing steakhouse-style wedge salad topped with crumbled bacon, tomatoes, and a creamy homemade blue cheese dressing.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl; refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook bacon until crisp, then cool and crumble.
- Cut the head of iceberg lettuce into 6 or 8 wedges.
- Place each wedge on a plate.
- Spoon dressing over the lettuce, then sprinkle with bacon, tomatoes, onion, and extra blue cheese crumbles.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe homemade blue cheese dressing is the star of the show and tastes best when made ahead of time.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best presentation and texture, assemble the salads just before serving.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eIceberg lettuce is the traditional choice for its unparalleled crunch.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFeel free to add other toppings like toasted nuts, croutons, or avocado.u003c/liu003e
