Wedge Salad with Bacon and Ranch
Why this recipe works
- Strong texture contrast: Cold, crisp iceberg lettuce balances the creamy dressing and crunchy bacon.
- Fast assembly: Only the bacon needs cooking, so the salad comes together quickly once the toppings are prepared.
- Fresh balance: Tomatoes and spring onion help cut through the richness of the ranch and bacon.
Get the most out of this recipe
Texture tips
- Dress just before serving: Spoon over the ranch at the last moment so the iceberg keeps its crunch.
- Keep the lettuce cold: Chilled iceberg gives the cleanest snap and helps the wedges hold their shape.
Ingredient notes
- Choose firm iceberg: A dense, cold head of iceberg is best for tidy wedges that stay crisp on the plate.
- Use smoky bacon: Well-rendered, deeply golden bacon brings the savoury depth that makes this simple salad feel complete.
Make-ahead tips
- Keep components separate: Cook the bacon and prepare the vegetables ahead if needed, but store them separately from the dressing.
- Assemble at the table: Plate the wedges and add the ranch, bacon and vegetables just before serving for the best texture.
Serving ideas
- Serve as a classic side: Pair with grilled steak, roast chicken or baked potatoes for a simple American-style meal.
- Keep the core intact: Leaving the core in place helps each wedge stay together and makes the salad easier to dress neatly.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a frying pan over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, turning, until deeply golden and crisp. Lift out and drain briefly, then leave to cool for a minute before breaking into bite-size pieces.
- Trim the iceberg lettuce and cut it into 2 wedges, keeping the core intact so each wedge holds together. Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the spring onion.
- Place the lettuce wedges on plates and spoon the ranch dressing over the top. Scatter over the bacon, cherry tomatoes and spring onion, then finish with the black pepper and serve straight away.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the crispest wedges, chill the iceberg lettuce in the fridge for 10 minutes before cutting.
- If your ranch dressing is very thick, loosen it with a splash of water in a bowl so it drizzles neatly.
Substitutions
- Replace the ranch dressing with caesar dressing for a sharper, more savoury finish.
- Replace the bacon with smoked turkey for a lighter, still smoky topping.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 1 days
- This salad is best eaten immediately. If needed, store the cooked bacon and prepared vegetables separately from the ranch dressing and assemble just before serving; the lettuce will soften once dressed.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 20min (15min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
-
Allergens:
Milk
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