Cobb Salad Classic American (Printable Version)

A hearty American salad with crisp lettuce, chicken, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, eggs, and blue cheese.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, chopped
02 - 1 large head iceberg lettuce, chopped

→ Proteins

03 - 2 cooked chicken breasts (grilled or poached), diced
04 - 4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
05 - 4 large eggs, hard-boiled, peeled, and quartered

→ Vegetables & Cheese

06 - 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced
07 - 2 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
08 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped

→ Dressing

10 - 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
12 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 - 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place chopped romaine and iceberg lettuces evenly in a large salad bowl or platter.
02 - Arrange diced chicken, crumbled bacon, quartered eggs, sliced avocado, diced tomatoes, and crumbled blue cheese in neat rows over the lettuce base.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Gradually whisk in olive oil until the mixture is well emulsified.
04 - Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the salad immediately before serving or serve it on the side.
05 - Sprinkle fresh chopped chives over the salad for a final touch.
06 - Present the salad promptly to allow guests to toss or enjoy the layered presentation.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a complete meal that feels both indulgent and surprisingly light, packed with protein that actually keeps you satisfied.
  • The best part is watching people's faces when they see all those gorgeous rows—presentation does half the work.
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble just before serving, which means less stress when you're feeding people.
02 -
  • Assemble this salad no more than 15 minutes before serving, or the lettuce will start releasing water and diluting your dressing—timing matters more than perfection here.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep all the components separate in the fridge and toss together just before guests arrive; it's not as pretty but it tastes so much better.
03 -
  • Chill your salad bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes before assembling if you're serving this on a hot day—it keeps everything cold longer and tastes noticeably fresher.
  • The secret to a salad that doesn't feel like sad desk lunch is making sure every single component is seasoned properly on its own, not relying entirely on the dressing to carry flavor.
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