Vibrant Pioneer Woman Wedge Salad Recipe

The Pioneer Woman’s wedge salad transforms a simple iceberg lettuce slice into a culinary masterpiece that beckons with its bold flavors and creamy allure.

Cold and crisp lettuce creates a perfect canvas for tangy dressings and crunchy toppings.

Robust and satisfying, this salad elevates humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Each wedge promises a delightful blend of textures that dance across your palate.

Sophisticated yet approachable, the dish represents classic American steakhouse cuisine with remarkable elegance.

Fresh ingredients play a harmonious symphony of tastes that simultaneously comfort and excite you.

Professional chefs and home cooks cherish this timeless recipe for its incredible simplicity and impressive presentation.

Why Wedge Salad Brings Crunch and Creaminess Together

• Craft a Creamy Dreamy Dressing: This recipe transforms simple ingredients like mayonnaise, sour cream, and herbs into a luxuriously smooth dressing that coats the crisp lettuce with tangy, rich flavor.
• Elevate Classic Wedge with Technique: By creating a garlic paste using salt and knife smashing, you unlock deeper, more intense garlic notes that seamlessly blend into the dressing, adding sophisticated complexity.
• Quick and Elegant Restaurant-Style Presentation: The wedge salad offers stunning visual appeal with minimal effort, allowing home cooks to serve a restaurant-quality dish in just minutes, making it perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a gourmet lunch.
• Flexible and Customizable Comfort: With easy preparation steps and simple ingredients, this salad welcomes personal twists like swapping cheeses or adding crispy bacon, making it adaptable to individual taste preferences and pantry contents.

Everything You Need for a Crisp Wedge Salad

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that provides rich, tangy flavor for the dressing.
• Sour Cream: Adds extra tanginess and smooth texture to the dressing.
• Buttermilk: Helps thin the dressing and provides a subtle, slightly acidic taste.
• Garlic Clove: Brings sharp, aromatic flavor to enhance the dressing.
• Salt: Essential for balancing and bringing out the flavors in the dressing.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the dressing.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, clean flavor to the dressing.
• Chives: Mild onion-like herb that provides a delicate, fresh garnish.

• Iceberg Lettuce: Crisp, classic wedge salad lettuce with a cool, refreshing crunch.
• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp, tangy cheese that adds richness and flavor to the salad.

Step-by-Step for the Ultimate Wedge Salad

Step 1: Create Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Sour cream
• Fresh parsley, finely chopped
• Fresh chives, finely chopped

Whisk ingredients until smooth and well blended.

Step 2: Transform Garlic Into Silky Paste

Finely chop 1 fresh garlic clove and sprinkle with a pinch of kosher salt. Using the flat side of a sharp knife, press and smear the garlic until it transforms into a smooth, fragrant paste. Fold this aromatic garlic paste into the prepared dressing.

Step 3: Season And Chill Dressing

• Buttermilk
• Salt
• 3-4 turns of freshly ground black pepper

Cover and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.

Step 4: Plate And Garnish Wedge Salad

• Grated sharp cheddar cheese
• Additional chopped chives

Serve extra dressing on the side in a small pitcher or bowl.

Tips That Keep Wedge Salad Fresh and Snappy

• Sprinkle with Style: Scatter fresh chives across the top for a pop of color and delicate onion notes that elevate the entire dish.
• Develop Dressing Depth: Create a more complex flavor by letting your homemade dressing rest in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours before serving.
• Crush Garlic Smartly: Transform raw garlic into a smooth paste by using the side of your knife to mash it with a pinch of salt, releasing intense flavors.
• Select Superior Cheese: Grate sharp cheddar yourself for a more robust taste that outshines pre-packaged shredded options.
• Cut with Care: Grab a sharp serrated knife and slice iceberg lettuce into clean, precise wedges without bruising the delicate leaves.

Smart Ways to Store Leftover Wedge Salad

• Sealed Container Method: Transfer leftover dressing into a glass mason jar with a tight-fitting lid. Separate blue cheese crumbles and bacon bits from the lettuce wedge to prevent soggy ingredients. Glass containers preserve flavors better than plastic and prevent unwanted odor absorption.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store dressing in the back of the refrigerator where temperature remains most consistent, ideally between 35-40°F. Use within 3-4 days for maximum freshness and optimal taste quality. Keep away from strong-smelling foods that might compromise the dressing's delicate flavor profile.
• Ingredient Preservation Technique: Wrap clean, dry lettuce wedge separately in paper towels inside a perforated plastic bag. Remove excess moisture to prevent wilting and maintain crisp texture. Store bacon bits and blue cheese crumbles in small sealed containers.

New Twists for a Modern Wedge Salad

• Smoky Southwest Wedge: Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese and add crispy bacon bits. Mix chipotle powder into the dressing for a spicy kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Wedge: Replace chives with fresh basil and oregano. Crumble feta cheese on top and drizzle with olive oil. Add sliced kalamata olives for extra flavor.
• Blue Cheese Steakhouse Wedge: Substitute the dressing with blue cheese crumbles and a tangy blue cheese dressing. Sprinkle with crispy pancetta and fresh cracked black pepper.
• Ranch Ranch Wedge: Incorporate ranch seasoning mix directly into the dressing for an intense ranch flavor. Top with diced red onions and chopped fresh dill. Garnish with extra crispy bacon crumbles.

Wedge Salad That Steals the Spotlight

Pioneer Woman’s Wedge Salad offers a classic culinary experience that reimagines traditional salad artistry.

Simple ingredients combine with elegant technique to create a memorable dish.

Creamy dressing cascades over crisp iceberg lettuce, revealing layers of rich flavor profiles.

Cheese and chives provide textural contrasts that elevate this seemingly straightforward recipe.

Home cooks can easily replicate this restaurant-quality starter with minimal preparation time.

Culinary enthusiasts will appreciate how such humble components can produce an extraordinary dining moment – this recipe beckons you to savor each refreshing bite, share its delightful secrets with friends, and celebrate the joy of homemade cuisine.

Pioneer Woman Wedge Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Crisp iceberg lettuce becomes a canvas for bold flavors in this classic Pioneer Woman wedge salad. Creamy blue cheese dressing, crispy bacon bits, and zesty chives create a perfectly balanced dish you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• ½ head iceberg lettuce, cut into 2 wedges
• 2 ounces (56 grams) sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Dairy and Cream Base:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) mayonnaise
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sour cream
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) buttermilk

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for topping
• 1 garlic clove
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) kosher salt, plus a pinch
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft the dressing foundation by whisking mayonnaise, sour cream, freshly chopped parsley, and finely minced chives in a medium mixing bowl until the ingredients create a smooth, uniform texture.
2. Transform a single garlic clove into a potent paste by finely chopping it and sprinkling with a pinch of kosher salt, then using the knife’s flat edge to methodically crush and blend into a fragrant, concentrated mash.
3. Enhance the dressing’s flavor profile by incorporating buttermilk, carefully measuring 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and adding several freshly ground black pepper turns to create a balanced, creamy consistency.
4. Chill the prepared dressing in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to allow the herbs and seasonings to meld and develop a more complex taste.
5. Arrange crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce wedges centrally on individual serving plates, creating a dramatic presentation with clean, geometric lines.
6. Generously drizzle the chilled, herbaceous dressing over each lettuce wedge, ensuring even coverage and maximum flavor absorption.
7. Finish the dish by sprinkling aged cheddar cheese (approximately 2 ounces or 56 grams) and additional chopped chives across the top, providing textural contrast and visual appeal.
8. Serve the remaining dressing in a small accompanying bowl, allowing diners to customize their salad’s moisture and flavor intensity.

Notes

• Refrigerate the dressing beforehand to allow herbs and garlic flavors to develop a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Garlic paste technique ensures smooth, even flavor distribution throughout the creamy dressing.
• Fresh parsley and chives brighten the rich, tangy sauce with vibrant green notes.
• Homemade dressing transforms an ordinary iceberg wedge into an extraordinary culinary experience.
• Extra dressing served alongside lets guests personalize their salad’s richness and taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 590 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg