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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Arrange crisp iceberg or romaine lettuce wedges centrally on individual serving plates, creating a dramatic presentation with clean, geometric lines.
- Generously drizzle the chilled, herbaceous dressing over each lettuce wedge, ensuring even coverage and maximum flavor absorption.
- 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.
- 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