The Cos Wedge Salad Recipe is a crisp, refreshing twist on the classic wedge, starring romaine lettuce and crowned with vibrant flavors and textures. Sweet cherry tomatoes, smoky bacon, tangy blue cheese crumbles, and a cool, creamy homemade dressing pile up on crunchy lettuce wedges—it’s basically the perfect starter or light meal for any day when you want something fresh but totally satisfying. The colors are gorgeous, but it’s the collision of cool and savory that will have your forks fighting for the last bite!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Cos Wedge Salad Recipe pulls its weight—bringing crispness, salt, tang, and a touch of luxury. With just a few fresh picks and pantry favorites, you’ll soon understand how every element has a role to play in making this salad such a head-turner.

Cos (Romaine) Lettuce: Firm and crunchy, the perfect base that holds up beautifully to loads of toppings and dressing.
Cherry Tomatoes: Bring sweetness, bright color, and a little burst in every bite—you can use a mix of colors for extra visual pop.
Bacon: Smoky, salty, and impossibly crave-worthy. Cook until crisp for that irresistible crunch.
Red Onion: Sliced super thin, these add bite and a sweet-sharp flavor that balances creamy dressing and strong cheese.
Blue Cheese Crumbles: Bold, tangy flavor that’s classic for a wedge salad—if you’re not a fan, feta is a good swap.
Chives: Fresh, mild oniony notes and a gorgeous green contrast sprinkled on top.
Salt and Black Pepper: Season with a generous hand—fresh cracked pepper especially perks up every forkful.
Sour Cream (for the dressing): The base of this creamy dressing; it’s luxurious but keeps things light and tangy.
Mayonnaise (for the dressing): Rounds things out with richness and helps the dressing cling to the lettuce.
Buttermilk or Milk (for the dressing): Buttermilk adds that signature twang, but milk will work if you prefer a milder, thinner dressing.
Lemon Juice (for the dressing): Adds fresh acidity that brightens the whole salad.
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder (for the dressing): Savory depth and subtle zip in the creamy dressing, with no chopping required.
Salt and Pepper (for the dressing): Essential for balancing flavors—season to taste after mixing.

How to Make Cos Wedge Salad Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Creamy Homemade Dressing

Grab yourself a small bowl and a trusty whisk—this is where the Cos Wedge Salad Recipe really starts to shine. Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk (or milk), lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until everything is creamy, pourable, and flecked with savory seasoning. Don’t be shy—taste and adjust with a bit more salt, lemon, or pepper until it tastes bright and tangy. Pop the dressing in the fridge to stay cool while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Prepare the Crisp Lettuce Wedges

Slice each head of cos lettuce lengthwise into quarters (aim for sturdy, wedge-shaped pieces that can hold their own under toppings). Rinse the wedges thoroughly and pat them totally dry with a clean kitchen towel—excess water will make your dressing slip right off, and you don’t want a drippy plate. Arrange the wedges on a big platter or individual plates for a dramatic, restaurant-style look.

Step 3: Sizzle and Crumble the Bacon

While the lettuce chills out, cook your bacon until golden and perfectly crispy. Drain on paper towels, then crumble coarsely—some bigger pieces are nice for texture. If you want to speed things along, use your air fryer or pre-cooked bacon, but nothing matches the flavor of bacon made fresh on the stovetop.

Step 4: Slice and Prep the Toppings

Halve those juicy cherry tomatoes and set aside. Next, grab that red onion and slice it super thin—you want just a wispy scatter, not an overpowering bite. Chop your fresh chives for their delicate green flavor and eye-catching finish. Keep your blue cheese crumbles handy; if you love bold flavor, don’t hesitate to heap them on.

Step 5: Assemble the Cos Wedge Salad Recipe

Now the fun part! Drizzle the chilled creamy dressing lavishly over the lettuce wedges, tucking it into all the leafy crevices. Scatter with cherry tomato halves, bacon crumbles, red onion slices, blue cheese, and that shower of chives. Finish with salt and a generous grind of black pepper. This is when everyone in the kitchen starts gathering—so serve immediately while it’s cold, crispy, and outrageously appetizing!

How to Serve Cos Wedge Salad Recipe

Garnishes

Take it over the top by sprinkling extra chives or a few additional blue cheese crumbles on at the last minute. If you want a subtle crunch, add a handful of homemade croutons or a dusting of black pepper. The bright green of the chives and the deep blue veins of the cheese look so inviting—don’t skip the final flourishes!

Side Dishes

This Cos Wedge Salad Recipe is right at home beside a grilled steak, spicy chicken wings, or a bowl of hot soup. It also makes a breezy lunch paired with a slice of crusty bread or a light pasta. The crispness of the lettuce and the creamy, savory dressing make it a fantastic companion to anything roasted, barbecued, or smoky—you’ll find yourself reaching for it again and again.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving individual wedges on small, colorful plates for an elegant dinner party starter, or pile them all onto a big serving board for a family-style lunch. For a twist, grill the wedges briefly to add a little char and warmth, or swap in flavored bacon (like peppered or maple) for another layer of interest. You can even serve the ingredients DIY-style and let everyone build their own ultimate wedge at the table—fun for picky eaters and salad enthusiasts alike!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Cos Wedge Salad Recipe (which isn’t likely!), store the undressed lettuce, bacon, and toppings separately from any remaining dressing. A sealed container in the refrigerator will keep the lettuce crisp for up to 2 days, while the bacon and other toppings will hold up for 3–4 days. The dressing should be stored in a jar or airtight container and will stay fresh for about 5 days.

Freezing

Sadly, this is not a freeze-friendly dish. Lettuce loses its wonderful crunch and can go watery after thawing, while the dressing won’t hold its creamy texture. If you need to prep ahead, make the dressing, bacon, and toppings in advance and assemble fresh right before serving.

Reheating

Lettuce salads and heat don’t mix, but if you’re looking to revive cold bacon or warm up the toppings, a quick zap in the microwave or skillet will do the trick. Assemble your Cos Wedge Salad Recipe only after everything is at your preferred serving temperature.

FAQs

Can I substitute another cheese for blue cheese?

Absolutely! If blue cheese isn’t your thing, try feta for a briny kick, or go with crumbled goat cheese for creamy tang. Even sharp cheddar works if you want something milder—just be sure it complements the other bold flavors of the Cos Wedge Salad Recipe.

Is there a way to make this salad vegetarian?

Definitely. Skip the bacon entirely, or try sprinkling on some well-seasoned plant-based bacon bits. The salad will still deliver on flavor and texture, thanks to the creamy dressing and crunchy veggies.

Can I prep any parts of the Cos Wedge Salad Recipe ahead of time?

Yes! The dressing can be made several days ahead, and the bacon and veggies can be prepped and kept separate. Simply assemble the wedges with all their toppings right before you’re ready to serve for best texture and freshness.

What’s the best lettuce to use besides cos?

If you can’t find cos (romaine), iceberg is a classic substitute for wedge salads—it’s extra crunchy and mild. Some people like little gem lettuce for daintier, personal-sized wedges. Either way, stick to a lettuce with enough sturdiness and crunch to stand up to toppings and dressing.

How do I make the dressing lighter?

To lighten things up, use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream and opt for low-fat mayonnaise or skip it altogether. You can also thin the dressing with extra buttermilk and cut back on blue cheese for a fresher spin on the classic Cos Wedge Salad Recipe.

Final Thoughts

If you’re after a showstopping salad that never gets old, you have to try this Cos Wedge Salad Recipe. It’s simple, beautiful, and totally packed with flavor—perfect for weeknights, entertaining, or just treating yourself to something really delicious. Grab a head of crisp lettuce and let this classic wedge win your heart!

Cos Wedge Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Cos Wedge Salad recipe is a refreshing and satisfying dish featuring crisp cos lettuce wedges topped with cherry tomatoes, bacon, red onion, blue cheese crumbles, and a creamy dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for a dinner spread.

Ingredients

Scale

Lettuce Salad:

2 heads cos (romaine) lettuce, cut lengthwise into quarters

Toppings:

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup blue cheese crumbles
¼ cup chopped fresh chives
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

½ cup sour cream
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup buttermilk (or milk for a thinner consistency)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Dressing: Whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, buttermilk, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. Chill until ready to use.
Assemble the Salad: Cut lettuce heads into quarters, rinse, and pat dry. Arrange wedges on a platter. Drizzle with dressing and top with tomatoes, bacon, red onion, blue cheese, and chives. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve: Enjoy immediately.