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A Better Way to Make Wedge Salad (Easy + Homemade Dressing)

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Donna Urso

Deconstructed Wedge Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

There are days when you want something a little special… but you don’t want anything fussy.

That’s exactly where this deconstructed wedge salad comes in. A deconstructed wedge salad is a simple twist on the classic steakhouse favorite. Instead of serving lettuce in wedges, everything is chopped and layered in a bowl, making it easier to serve and eat—especially for smaller households.

A bowl with iceberg lettuce, chopped tomato, bacon, blue cheese dressing in a white bowl.g

It has everything you love about a classic wedge salad: crisp lettuce, blue cheese, bacon, and tomatoes, but it’s easier to make, easier to serve, and honestly, easier to eat.

And when you add a simple homemade blue cheese dressing? It turns a basic salad into something that feels like it came straight from a restaurant.

A deconstructed wedge salad.
Why You'll Love Making Wedge Salad This Way

When I'm in the kitchen, I try to simplify. Instead of serving a traditional wedge, I chop everything and arrange it in a bowl.

That simple change makes a big difference.

  • No cutting at the table

  • Easy to serve for a group

  • You can make it ahead of time

  • Everyone can take exactly what they want

It’s one of those small shifts that makes dinner feel more put together—without adding extra work. Jump to Recipe

Watch: Deconstructed Wedge Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

What You’ll Need

For the salad:

  • Iceberg lettuce (about 1/4 head per person)

  • Cherry tomatoes

  • Cooked bacon

  • Blue cheese (a wedge is best)

  • Salt and pepper

For the dressing:

  • A woman drizzling blue chees dressing from a spoon.
    1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/4 cup sour cream

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

  • 1 large clove of garlic, crushed

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • 2–4 tablespoons buttermilk (to adjust consistency)

  • About 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles

How to Make a Deconstructed Wedge Salad

Start with a large bowl-something you’d be happy to put right on the table.

A wooman, holding a large white salad bowl.

Coarsely chop the iceberg lettuce into bite-sized pieces and add it to the bowl. Cut your cherry tomatoes into smaller pieces. This makes the salad easier to eat—no knife needed.

Season lightly with salt and pepper.

Add your blue cheese. If you’re using a wedge, just break it up with a fork into crumbles.

A woman making blue cheese crumbles with a fork.

Chop the bacon into pieces and add it to the bowl.

At this point, you can cover and refrigerate the salad until you’re ready to serve. Just toss it with dressing right before serving.

How to Make Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

I like to make this dressing in a mason jar—it’s simple, and the measurements are right on the side.

Mix together:

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise

  • 1/4 cup sour cream

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

  • 1 crushed clove of garlic

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Add 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and shake or stir to combine.

You’re looking for a slightly thinner base than your final dressing will be.

Now add about 1/4 cup of blue cheese crumbles. Stir, taste, and adjust as needed.

Let the dressing sit for at least an hour before serving. The flavor improves as it rests.

A Few Simple Tips

Buy a wedge of blue cheese
It has better flavor and texture than pre-crumbled.

Keep the dressing a little thinner at first
The blue cheese will thicken it as it sits.

Make the dressing ahead
Even an hour makes a difference in flavor.

How to Serve a Deconstructed Wedge Salad

This salad pairs perfectly with simple dinners like:

  • grilled shrimp, steak, or chicken

  • lamb chops, pork chops

  • or a quick weeknight protein

It’s an easy way to round out a meal without adding stress.

Final Thought

This is one of those recipes that reminds you:

Good food doesn’t have to be complicated to feel special.

A simple salad, made just a little differently, can completely change how dinner feels.

>

Let’s Keep It Simple

If you try this, I’d love to know, do you prefer a classic wedge, or this easy version?

The Deconstructed Wedge Salad Recipe

steakhouse salad, blue cheese salad
dinner
American
Yield: 2
Author: Donna Urso
Deconstructed Wedge Salad with homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

Deconstructed Wedge Salad with homemade Blue Cheese Dressing

A simple, deconstructed wedge salad with homemade blue cheese dressing. Easy to make, perfect for guests, and full of classic flavor without the fuss.

Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

Ingredients

For the Salad
For the Dressing

Instructions

  1. Mix together:
  2. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  3. 1/4 cup sour cream
  4. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  5. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  6. 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  7. 1 crushed clove of garlic
  8. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  9. Add 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and shake or stir to combine. You’re looking for a slightly thinner base than your final dressing will be.
  10. Now add about 1/4 cup of blue cheese crumbles. Stir, taste, and adjust as needed.
  11. Let the dressing sit for at least an hour before serving. The flavor improves as it rests.

Recommended Products

Knife Set

White Salad Bowls

Cutting Board Set

Nutrition Facts

Calories

691

Fat (grams)

64 g

Sat. Fat (grams)

18 g

Carbs (grams)

15 g

Fiber (grams)

3 g

Net carbs

12 g

Sugar (grams)

9 g

Protein (grams)

17 g

Sodium (milligrams)

1783 mg

Cholesterol (grams)

83 mg

Nutrional information is approximate.

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