Iceberg lettuce. Love or hate it?
I’ve always had an aversion to iceberg, in favor of romaine, red leaf, spinach and others. I even go so far as to ask restaurants if their salads are made from iceberg lettuce, cause if they are, I’d pass. So, now I might have to apologize to my mom, since I harped on her for years about only buying iceberg lettuce for the most part. She’s an iceberg fan all the way and that’s about all I saw in her vegetable drawer growing up. I kidded her about it all the time, telling her about the virtues of romaine, that wonderfully leafy and much more rich green lettuce that I found far superior to iceberg.
But now….now, I’m a little smitten with iceberg and it’s all because of the wedge salad.
I think I first had a wedge salad maybe 6 or 7 years ago at a nice restaurant and thought it was good, but lately several restaurants I’ve eaten at have had wedge salads on the menu and I’ve developed a real love for them. The flavors are just so good! Bacon, blue cheese, yum! So good.
There are so many variations on this salad all over the place, so find one that you are comfortable with. Mine is easy and simple.
These are the main ingredients:
A head of iceberg lettuce, ranch dressing, red onion (not pictured above), crumbled bacon, and blue cheese crumbles. The blue cheese really brings out the flavor, but the crowning star on this salad is the bacon. Oh bacon, how I love you!
Seriously, the flavors in this salad are so tantalizing to the tongue and I can’t get enough of them. I’m glad they are easy to make and duplicate at home. You can buy whatever kind of dressing you like, but I really love the ranch dressing with added chunks of blue cheese crumbles. There’s also plenty of blue cheese dressings in the grocery store, but I used ranch since that is what was in the fridge.
Again, so many variations, find one you love and let me know if you try it or if you are smitten with wedge salads too!
Easy Wedge Salad
Ingredients
- One head of iceberg lettuce
- One red onion
- Crumbled Bacon 2 or 3 slices per salad
- Crumbled Blue Cheese
- Ranch Dressing
Instructions
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Cut desired slices of iceberg lettuce in wedges on plate.
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Add sliced or diced red onion.
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Drizzle on ranch dressing.
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Add crumbled blue cheese.
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Add crumbled cooked bacon, salt and pepper to taste.
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Enjoy!
I recently had one that had the same ingredients as yours as well as a drizzle of very good balsamic vinegar. Not a lot, just a drizzle! Really brought all the flavors out!!!
Had to laugh when I read your post! I also grew up with only iceberg lettuce in the fridge then rarely bought it as an adult but now am in love with wedge salads! I must admit I also had an aversion to bleu cheese but now…addicted!! I think it’ll be wedge salad for lunch today!! Thanks, Rhoda!
Me too! I grew up eating only Iceberg lettuce. I don’t think my Mom knew any other type of lettuce existed…; ) Anyway, I have never been a huge fan, but the wedge salad like you made is delicious and Bleu Cheese dressing is my favorite!
I had to laugh too, my mom only served iceberg lettuce too. Maybe other varieties were not as common back then? This recipe looks delicious, I’ll have to try it out.
I don’t generally care for iceberg either and my husband loves it. I do however, love a good wedge and have been making them too lately. my kids love it too!
Rhoda, I too am a lettuce snob, but this sounds tempting enough to go to the store and put “iceberg” in my cart! Thanks, Cheryl Ann
LOVE wedge salad. The iceberg must be fresh and ultra crisp. Instead of red onion, sometimes I substitute green onion. I like the different twist on the onion flavor.
A local restaurant that my husband and I visit frequently have something similar on their menu. They use gorgonzola and also add olives and diced tomatoes. It is very refreshing!
I love a good wedge salad as well, Rhoda! Your recipe sounds delish using the ranch dressing with the blue cheese. Sounds like an easy fix for game day weekend at our house!
Have a wonderful week!
Jen
Big iceberg lettuce fan all the way! Love wedge salads, too.
I will eat the other lettuces’ but iceberg is mine and hubby’s fave. I know now what i’d like to have for dinner. 🙂
Jake’s a Girl
Same era, same iceberg lettuce in the refrig! I love romaine, but this recipe of yours is going on the menu this week since it’s so hot and muggy here! Thanks for sharing!
I so agree! Never loved iceburg but the Wedge changes everything! We keep it simple with bacon, tomato, red onion, blue cheese crumbles and dressing. Perfect! Especially with a side of flank steak!
There was a time when I turned my nose up at iceberg. Then a few years ago my husband ordered the “Wedge” at an upscale restaurant and after trying a bite I decided it was time to change my mind about it. Although I still like my mixed greens, there are times when the wedge is just the thing! Thanks for your recipe.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
I like iceburg fine but prefer a mix. Love baby spinach in salads. I’d rather have a tossed salad than a wedge, but may just have to do a wedge soon! Thanks for the recipe.
tina
I too have found a new love for the wedge salad. I’m not a big blue cheese fan so make mine with bacon, feta and ranch dressing which it tasty too.
I have always liked all kinds of lettuces. I do love a wedge salad. They have really gotten popular in recent years. And bacon??. . . . . .what can I say except I’ve never met a piece of bacon that I didn’t love!!
Personally, I’ve found that ranch dressing improves pretty much everything you put it on! Never have tried a wedge but might have to do that soon. I’m usually a dark green salad girl.
I too grew up on iceberg lettuce. I’ve never loved it, never will. Cutting it into a wedge doesn’t improve it. All those toppings are needed to give it some oomph. It may be the fad right now, but I’ll stick with the leafy darker green choices.
Why limit oneself? I think there’s a lettuce for every occasion.Seriously, what’s a BLT or Cobb without Iceberg? I think it’s the refreshing crunch that make it so good with these ingredients. I think I may just have this tonight. Btw, it’s funny that Iceberg is now considered generic as it was really the arugula of the day when it was first introduced! CTD
I liked iceberg lettuce growing up, but I didn’t know there was anything different. I don’t think my mom knew there was anything different either. I personally NEVER buy it anymore. I guess I will have to give it a whirl. Your salad looked divine, but I may have to try something other than bleu cheese…not a fan. Thanks for the recipe 😉