You can serve wedge salads as a side with just about any meal, like Braised short Ribs, Penne alla Vodka, or Chicken Piccata. Whenever I’m ordering a side salad from a restaurant I always scan the menu for a wedge salad; they’re my favorite! Kind of ironic considering they are probably the cheapest, simplest thing on the menu, but, for some reason they seem “fancy” to me and I love seeing how they’re presented (plus, they’re DELICIOUS!). This is the perfect salad for impressing guests, with little effort.
How to Cut a Wedge Salad:
Iceberg lettuce is used to make wedge salads because the leaves are compact and layered tightly together. For wedge salads, grab a whole head of iceberg lettuce and cut it in half, from the top down to the stem. Cut each halve again, to make 4 quarters of lettuce. Rinse each quart of lettuce and gently shake off any excess water. Place them on a paper towel lined plate, or in a large bag with a paper towel to catch excess water, and store in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. If any outer edges of the lettuce start to brown you can simply cut them off.
How to make a Wedge Salad:
Make the Blue Cheese Dressing: Add all of the blue cheese dressing ingredients to a bowl then stir well to combine. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. The dressing can be made up to 1 week in advance. Cut Lettuce: Cut the iceberg lettuce in half then cut each of the halves again in half or thirds (depending on how big the head of lettuce is) to create “wedges”. Add Toppings: Place wedges on individual plates then spoon dressing over lettuce. Garnish the iceberg wedge salad with bacon crumbles, chopped tomatoes, onion and blue cheese crumbles on top then season with fresh crushed black pepper, to taste.
Additional Toppings Ideas:
Avocado Cucumber Olives Beets Croutons Other cheese varieties: parmesan, mozzarella, feta, gorgonzola, goat cheese. Nuts Berries Creamy Parmesan, Caesar, or Ranch Dressing instead of Blue Cheese Dressing. Protein: grilled chicken or steak.
I originally shared this recipe May 2017. Updated August 2020 and August 2023.
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