Bacon Blue Cheese Wedge Salad
This delightful Bacon Blue Cheese Wedge Salad is a refreshing twist on the classic wedge salad that you’ll find in upscale restaurants. Crisp, chilled iceberg lettuce is beautifully cut into wedges, drizzled with a creamy, homemade ranch dressing infused with garlic and fresh basil, and topped with crispy bacon and crumbled blue cheese. Each bite is a perfect balance of flavors and textures, from the crunch of the lettuce to the salty richness of the bacon and the tanginess of the blue cheese. Ideal as a light lunch or as a vibrant side dish for dinner, this salad is not only easy to prepare but guaranteed to impress your family and friends. In less than 30 minutes, you can create this colorful salad that tastes as good as it looks.
4
Servings
180
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
bacon
4-6 slices (cooked until crisp and crumbled)
ranch dressing
8 ounces (store-bought or homemade)
garlic
1-2 cloves (minced)
fresh basil
1/4 cup (chopped)
iceberg lettuce
1 large head (cut into 4 wedges)
blue cheese
1/4 cup (crumbled)
shredded basil
to garnish (optional) (freshly shredded)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces and set aside.
2
In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing, minced garlic, and chopped fresh basil until thoroughly combined. This mixture will serve as a flavorful dressing for the salad.
3
Take the prepared iceberg lettuce and arrange the wedges on individual plates or a serving platter.
4
Generously drizzle the ranch dressing mixture over each lettuce wedge, allowing some to pool around the base of the wedge for added flavor.
5
Sprinkle the crumbled bacon and blue cheese over the dressed wedges, ensuring even distribution for a delightful blend of flavors.
6
If desired, garnish with shredded basil for an extra touch of freshness and serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
13.5g
Fat
3g
Carbs
10g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Bacon Blue Cheese Wedge Salad?
It is a refreshing twist on the classic upscale restaurant wedge salad, featuring crisp iceberg lettuce, homemade garlic-basil ranch, crispy bacon, and blue cheese.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
How long does it take to prepare this salad?
The entire preparation and cooking process takes less than 30 minutes.
What type of lettuce is best for this recipe?
A large head of iceberg lettuce is used, cut into 4 distinct wedges for the traditional wedge salad look.
How should the bacon be prepared?
The bacon should be cooked in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then drained on paper towels and crumbled into small pieces.
What are the ingredients for the salad dressing?
The dressing is made by whisking together 8 ounces of ranch dressing, 1-2 cloves of minced garlic, and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving of this salad contains 180 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 10 grams of protein in each serving of the salad.
How much fat is in a single serving?
Each serving contains 13.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this salad?
This salad is low in carbohydrates, containing only 3 grams per serving.
Can I use store-bought ranch dressing?
Yes, you can use either store-bought or homemade ranch dressing for this recipe.
What kind of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of crumbled blue cheese.
Is there a specific garnish recommended?
You can garnish the salad with freshly shredded basil for an extra touch of freshness.
How many slices of bacon are needed?
You will need between 4 to 6 slices of bacon, cooked until crisp.
How much garlic should I add to the dressing?
The recipe suggests using 1 to 2 cloves of minced garlic, depending on your flavor preference.
How much fresh basil goes into the dressing?
You should use 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil for the ranch dressing mixture.
What is the total ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 7 ingredients in total, including the optional garnish.
Should the lettuce be chilled?
Yes, using chilled iceberg lettuce ensures the salad remains crisp and refreshing.
How should the dressing be applied?
Generously drizzle the ranch mixture over each wedge, allowing some to pool at the base for extra flavor.
Is this salad suitable for a light lunch?
Yes, it is ideal as a light lunch or as a vibrant side dish for a larger dinner.
What texture does this salad provide?
The salad offers a balance of crunchy lettuce, creamy dressing, and crispy bacon.
How is the lettuce prepared?
The iceberg lettuce head should be cut into 4 equal wedges before plating.
Does the recipe use fresh herbs?
Yes, fresh basil is used both in the dressing and as an optional garnish.
Can I serve this at a dinner party?
Absolutely, it is designed to look and taste like an upscale restaurant dish that will impress guests.
How long does it take to cook the bacon?
While timing varies, the entire recipe including bacon cooking takes less than 30 minutes.
Is the dressing pre-mixed?
The ranch, garlic, and basil should be whisked together in a small bowl before being added to the lettuce.
What flavor profile can I expect?
Expect a balance of salty richness from the bacon and tanginess from the blue cheese.
Should I serve the salad immediately?
Yes, for the best texture and freshness, serve the salad immediately after assembly.
Is this recipe easy to follow?
Yes, it involves simple steps like frying bacon, mixing a dressing, and assembling the plates.
Can I adjust the amount of blue cheese?
Yes, while 1/4 cup is recommended, you can adjust the amount to suit your personal taste.