Ice Queen Lettuce Wedge Salad

Prepare to bow down to the Ice Queen Lettuce Wedge Salad, a dish so magnificent it’ll make you want to roll out the red carpet in your dining room. This isn’t just any wedge salad – it’s the Beyoncé of salads, fierce and fabulous.

We start with crisp, crunchy iceberg lettuce, cut into perfect wedges that would make a geometry teacher weep with joy. The magic happens with the toppings: a homemade blue cheese dressing so good you might be tempted to drink it, a shower of crispy bacon bits, sweet cherry tomatoes, tangy red onions, crumbled eggs, and a sprinkle of fresh chives for that fancy touch. To finish, we crown our creation with a drizzle of balsamic reduction – the tiara on our Ice Queen.

The result? A salad that’s cool, creamy, crunchy, and utterly indulgent. It’s perfect for those nights when you want to feel fancy without spending hours in the kitchen.

But the Ice Queen is nothing if not adaptable. Spice it up with jalapeños, go herbaceous with fresh basil or dill, add some crunch with toasted nuts, or make it skinny with a light vinaigrette. Serve it solo with grilled chicken, set up a DIY wedge salad bar for the family, or pre-assemble mini wedges for a party.

For an Instagram-worthy presentation, serve on a chilled plate, deconstruct it in a mason jar, or create salad kebabs. Remember, with this salad, you’re not just making dinner – you’re creating edible art. So next time someone says iceberg lettuce is boring, just smile. You know the truth. You’re bringing back the classics, one fabulous wedge at a time.

Ice Queen Lettuce Wedge Salad

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Transform humble iceberg lettuce into a regal feast with this crunchy, creamy, and utterly indulgent elevation to the classic wedge salad.

• Author: Amanda MacArthur
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Salads & Dressings

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 head of Ice Queen Lettuce (Iceberg), cut into 4 wedges
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 egg, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
• 1/4 cup balsamic reduction
• For the blue cheese dressing:
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 4 oz blue cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. For the dressing, mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Place each lettuce wedge on a plate.
3. Drizzle generously with blue cheese dressing.
4. Top with crumbled bacon, cherry tomatoes, egg, and red onion.
5. Sprinkle with fresh chives.
6. Drizzle with balsamic reduction.
7. Serve immediately and prepare for applause.

Store-Bought vs. Homemade Blue Cheese

Let’s address the elephant in the room – blue cheese. It’s one of those polarizing foods that people either passionately love or vehemently avoid. If you’re in the former camp (welcome, fellow cheese enthusiast!), then you know the difference between a mediocre blue cheese dressing and one that makes you want to lick the plate clean.

Making your own blue cheese dressing might sound fancy-schmancy, but it’s actually ridiculously simple. Plus, there’s something deeply satisfying about telling dinner guests, “Oh, this? Just my homemade blue cheese dressing.” Hair flip.

That said, if you’re rushing between soccer practice and helping with homework, there’s absolutely no shame in grabbing a bottle of good-quality store-bought dressing. The key word here is “good-quality” – your Ice Queen deserves the royal treatment, not some sad, watery imposter!

What to Serve with Your Ice Queen

A salad this majestic demands worthy companions. Here are some suggestions that will make your taste buds do a happy dance:

For a classic steakhouse vibe, pair your Ice Queen with a juicy grilled ribeye. The cool crunch of the salad perfectly balances the rich, savory steak.

If you’re going for a lighter option, grilled salmon provides a delicious contrast to the creamy, tangy salad. The mild sweetness of the fish plays beautifully with the bold flavors of the blue cheese and bacon.

And let’s not forget about drinks! A glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a light beer complements the salad without overwhelming its flavors. For the non-alcoholic crowd, a sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon is refreshingly perfect.

Making It Your Own

The beauty of the Ice Queen Wedge Salad is its versatility. Here are some ways to put your personal stamp on this classic:

• The Mediterranean Queen: Swap the blue cheese dressing for a creamy feta dressing, replace the bacon with kalamata olives, and add diced cucumber and a sprinkle of oregano. Finish with a drizzle of good olive oil instead of balsamic reduction.
• The Southwestern Sovereign: Add a kick with a chipotle-lime dressing, black beans, corn, avocado, and crispy tortilla strips. A squeeze of lime juice at the end brightens everything up.
• The Asian Empress: Try a miso-ginger dressing, topped with edamame, mandarin oranges, and crispy wonton strips. A sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds adds the perfect finishing touch.
• The Vegan Victory: Skip the animal products and go for a creamy tahini dressing, smoky tempeh bacon, roasted chickpeas, and a generous helping of avocado. Just as satisfying, promise!

Remember, cooking is all about making food that brings you joy. Don’t be afraid to experiment and create your own royal variations!

Pro Tips for Wedge Salad Success

1. Chill Your Plates: Pop your serving plates in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before plating. Cold plates keep your salad crisp longer and make you look like a culinary genius.
2. Pat Dry Your Lettuce: After washing your iceberg lettuce, give it a good pat down with paper towels. Excess water dilutes your dressing and can lead to a soggy salad – the ultimate wedge salad tragedy.
3. Make Ahead, Assemble Later: Prepare all your components ahead of time, but assemble just before serving. This keeps everything fresh and crunchy.
4. The Perfect Cut: To get those Instagram-worthy wedges, remove any wilted outer leaves, cut off the stem end, and slice the head in quarters from top to bottom.
5. Dressing Distribution: Drizzle the dressing over the wedge, then use a spoon to get some into the nooks and crannies. Every bite should have a bit of that creamy goodness!

And if you’re interested in learning more about growing lettuce, it’s as easy as BLT. A cool-season annual, this leafy crop grows readily from seed, and you can sow seeds every few weeks to have a season full of salad! With our Lettuce Gardening Guide, you get all the details that go into growing and harvesting delicious, leafy lettuce. Get recipes that go beyond the salad bowl and see what’s possible when you grow your own lettuce. Get it all in our Lettuce Gardening Guide right now!

If you make this wedge salad recipe, I’d love to know how you liked it!