December 3, 2024

Restaurantrecs

Food, couldn't ask for more.

Classic Wedge Salad (With Homemade Dressing)

A great Iceberg Wedge Salad is a classic for good reason! Crunchy iceberg lettuce, a creamy homemade dressing, crispy bacon, fresh tomato, and parsley.

Serve it with a side of homemade blue cheese dressing or ranch. It’s fresh, crisp, and oh-so-easy to make at home!

wedge salad on a plate with tomatoes

An Easy Steakhouse Favorite

A few years ago my husband was a manager at a steak house, and I loved taking advantage of getting to eat there. One of the things I always wanted was the iceberg wedge salad.

The great about this wedge salad recipe is how easy it is to make at home! Serve it as a side dish with a steak dinner or even next to grilled chicken!

How to Wash Lettuce for Wedge Salad

When making a wedge salad you want to make sure the lettuce is clean while still having it hold its shape. Be sure to drain the water very well so your salad isn’t watery. Choose a firm heavy head of iceberg lettuce.

  1. Remove any wilted outer leaves. Keep the core intact and slice the lettuce into quarters with a large knife (or 6ths depending on the size of the head of lettuce). The core should hold the wedge together.
  2. Run cold water and then hold the cut part of the iceberg wedges under the cold running water and allow the water to run between the leaves. If it’s a really tight head of lettuce, separate a little bit so the water can get through.
  3. Shake a few times and then drain for a little bit in a strainer.

How to Make an Extra Crisp Salad

Wash the lettuce as directed above and store it in a container or bag with a piece of paper towel in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. The lettuce will be extra crisp and ready to eat at any time!

Blue cheese dressing on a spoon, spooned over the top of an iceberg wedge on a white plate, with a small bowl of dressing on the side

Wedge Salad Dressing

Homemade dressing is so easy to make, simply whisk the ingredients in a small bowl and drizzle.

Blue Cheese Dressing – A creamy blue cheese dressing is traditional and easy to make. We prefer the flavor of homemade dressing. Give it at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend if you can. (Make extra blue cheese dressing to serve with chicken wings too)!

Homemade Ranch Dressing – If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, this Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is a favorite (I could honestly drink it, it’s so good)!

More Dressings to Try

a gold fork and knife cutting into an iceberg wedge topped with bacon, tomato, and blue cheese dressing all on top of a white plate

Toppings for Wedge Salad

Get creative with the toppings for a new salad every time!

  • Veggies: Tomatoes, diced cucumbers, radish, green or red onions, avocado
  • Bold Flavors: Bacon crumbles, blue cheese crumbles, feta cheese
  • Other: Fresh herbs like chives or dill, black pepper, boiled eggs

More Salads We Love

wedge salad on a plate with tomatoes

4.96 from 21 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Classic Wedge Salad

A delicious Classic Wedge Salad covered in a tasty blue cheese dressing, crunchy bacon, and fresh tomatoes. 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

  • Remove any wilted outer leaves from the head of lettice. Keep the core intact and slice the lettuce into quarters with a large knife. The core should hold the wedge together.

  • Run cold water through the wedges, if it’s a really tight head of lettuce, separate a little bit as needed so the water can get through. Shake a few times to dry and drain in a strainer while preparing the other ingredients.

  • Combine dressing ingredients in a bowl; blend using a hand mixer. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. Chill until ready to serve.

  • Build the salad by placing 1 lettuce wedge on each of 8 plates. Drizzle equal amounts of dressing over each wedge of lettuce.

  • Scatter tomatoes, bacon, and blue cheese over each salad, and garnish with fresh parsley.

Blue Cheese Dressing can be replaced with homemade ranch.
If time allows, wash the wedges a few hours ahead of time (or up to 24 hours in advance) and refrigerate to make it extra crispy.
Optional Topping Ideas:

  • Veggies: Tomatoes, diced cucumbers, radish, green or red onions, avocado
  • Bold Flavors: Bacon crumbles, blue cheese crumbles, feta cheese
  • Other: Fresh herbs like chives or dill, black pepper, boiled eggs

4.96 from 21 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Calories: 215 | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 314mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 920IU | Vitamin C: 8.6mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Salad
Cuisine American
Wedge Salad on a plate with writing
close up of Wedge Salad with writing
Wedge Salad on a plate with a title
close up of cutting a Wedge Salad with a title and a plated Wedge Salad
Classic Wedge Salad with a title