Zesty Ina Garten’s Lobster Cobb Salad Recipe for Fancy Lunch Fun

Summer’s bounty calls for a luxurious Ina Garten lobster cobb salad that’s both elegant and refreshing.

Succulent lobster meat combines with crisp greens and savory bacon for a gourmet twist on the classic salad.

Each bite promises a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

The recipe showcases a perfect balance of textures and ingredients that elevate a simple lunch into a memorable meal.

Fresh herbs and a zesty dressing tie together the rich components, creating a dish that feels both indulgent and light.

Blue cheese crumbles add a tangy punch that complements the sweet lobster meat.

This salad stands ready to impress at any summer gathering or intimate dinner party.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients Behind Ina’s Lobster Cobb Salad

• Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps blend flavors and creates silky texture.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy kick and helps emulsify the vinaigrette.
• Lemon Juice: Brightens the dressing and prevents avocado browning.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhance overall seasoning and balance flavors.

• Lobster: Luxurious, sweet meat that elevates the salad's elegance.
• Bacon: Crispy, smoky element that provides rich, savory crunch.

• Avocado: Creamy texture that adds richness and healthy fats.
• Arugula: Peppery green that brings a fresh, crisp base to the salad.
• Tomatoes: Juicy bursts of color and bright, acidic notes.
• Blue Cheese: Bold, tangy crumbles that complement the seafood.
• Pepper and Salt: Final seasoning to perfect the dish's flavor profile.

Prep Tools for Cooking and Chilling Lobster

• Mixing Bowl: Small bowl for whisking vinaigrette ingredients together smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for dicing avocados and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Precise tool for cutting avocados, quartering arugula, and handling lobster.
• Salad Bowl: Large bowl for combining lobster, tomatoes, and other salad components.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately measuring salt, pepper, and dressing ingredients.

Ina’s Steps to Crafting a Luxe Cobb Bowl

• Zesty Vinaigrette Base

Create a bright, tangy dressing by blending olive oil with mustard, fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

• Lobster and Tomato Harmony

Gently combine succulent lobster meat with ripe, juicy tomatoes, seasoning with a delicate touch of salt and pepper.

• Salad Symphony

Layer crisp arugula leaves with smoky crumbled bacon, creamy blue cheese crumbles, and buttery avocado cubes. Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette across the ingredients to marry their flavors.

• Elegant Presentation

Arrange the salad thoughtfully on a serving platter, allowing the vibrant colors and textures to shine. Let the dish rest briefly to reach perfect room temperature before serving.

Tweak the Dressing or Mix-ins for Variety

• Keep leftover cooked lobster meat fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
• Replace lobster with crab, shrimp, or rotisserie chicken for a budget-friendly alternative that still delivers incredible flavor.
• Crisp bacon in advance and store in a paper towel-lined container to maintain its crunchiness for easy salad topping.
• Chop vegetables and cook bacon earlier in the day, then quickly assemble the salad just before serving to save time and reduce kitchen stress.
• Experiment with different blue cheese varieties like Gorgonzola or Roquefort to find your perfect tangy complement to the rich lobster meat.

Serve for Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Parties

• Coastal Dinner Party Delight: Elevate this lobster cobb salad as a stunning centerpiece for an elegant summer gathering with friends, pairing it with crisp white wine.
• Picnic Perfect Presentation: Pack components separately in containers and assemble just before serving to maintain freshness during outdoor meals or beach trips.
• Protein-Packed Lunch Option: Serve over mixed greens or inside butter lettuce wraps for a satisfying midday meal that delivers incredible flavor and nutrition.
• Gourmet Appetizer Twist: Transform the salad into bite-sized portions using small spoons or elegant appetizer plates for sophisticated cocktail parties or elegant events.

Store Lobster Separately for Best Freshness

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop bacon, dice avocados, and cook lobster up to one day before serving to streamline meal preparation.
• Refrigeration Technique: Store components separately in airtight containers to maintain crisp textures and prevent soggy ingredients, keeping vinaigrette, lobster, and toppings in distinct sealed containers.
• Quick Serving Tip: Allow lobster and salad ingredients to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before combining to enhance flavor profiles and ensure optimal taste.
• Smart Leftover Management: Consume salad within 24 hours for best quality, understanding that avocados may brown and bacon might lose crispness after initial preparation.

Elegant Lobster Cobb Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s lobster Cobb salad blends luxurious seafood with classic American ingredients. Crisp greens, succulent lobster, and rich dressing create a sophisticated summer dish perfect for coastal dining.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lbs (680 g) lobster meat, cut into ¾-inch dice
• 0.5 lb (227 g) bacon, fried and crumbled
• 2 Hass avocados
• 1 pint (473 ml) cherry tomatoes, cut in half or quarters
• 1 bunch arugula, washed and spun dry
• 0.75 cup (170 g) English Stilton or other crumbly blue cheese
• 8 hot dog rolls
• 5 tbsps (74 ml) olive oil
• 1.5 tbsps (22 ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 0.25 cup (59 ml) fresh lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 1.5 tsps (7 g) kosher salt
• 0.5 tsp (1 g) freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Vinaigrette Preparation: Whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until smoothly blended, creating a vibrant and zesty dressing.
2. Ingredient Preparation: Halve avocados, remove pits, and dice into uniform cubes. Immediately drizzle with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Slice cherry tomatoes into quarters and crumble bacon.
3. Lobster Assembly: Combine succulent lobster meat with quartered tomatoes in a spacious serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper, ensuring each component is delicately flavored.
4. Salad Composition: Drizzle prepared vinaigrette over the lobster mixture, then gently fold in peppery arugula leaves and crumbled blue cheese. Distribute ingredients evenly to create a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
5. Final Presentation: Arrange avocado cubes atop the salad, giving a final gentle toss. Let the salad rest momentarily at room temperature to allow flavors to meld and intensify before serving.

Notes

• Prevent Avocado Browning: Immediately splash lemon juice on diced avocado cubes to maintain fresh, vibrant green color and prevent oxidation.
• Balance Vinaigrette Coating: Drizzle dressing sparingly to ensure ingredients are lightly coated without becoming overly saturated or losing texture.
• Rest for Flavor Development: Allow salad to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving, enabling ingredients to meld and enhance overall taste profile.
• Ingredient Quality Matters: Select fresh, high-quality lobster meat, ripe avocados, and crisp bacon for maximum flavor and textural contrast.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg