This wedge salad is a refreshing mix of crisp little gem lettuce, tangy miso ranch dressing, salty bacon, and toasted garlic panko. Wedge salad is easy to prepare and makes for the perfect side dish or light lunch.
We don’t do boring salads here so if you’re ready for more delicious salad recipes, try our Steak Salad with Thai Dressing, Tomato Salad with Cilantro-Mint Dressing, and this Easy Caesar Salad Recipe.
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Salads are a tasty and convenient way to get more veggie servings in and this little gem of a salad is one of my favorites! Little gem wedge salad is cool, crisp, hearty, and tastes so good that you almost forget it’s a salad. We swap blue cheese (traditional wedge salad dressing) with ranch salad dressing and infuse it with miso dressing for a subtly sweet, umami twist.
Top it with toasty, garlicky breadcrumbs and savory bacon bits, and you have the best wedge salad!
Why This Recipe Works
- Versatile – Each element of this wedge salad recipe can be switched out for another. Change the lettuce, salad dressing, or toppings.
- No Soggy Salad – Usually salads are weighed down by dressing but this salad is sturdy and has a nice crunch.
- Tasty – I love the contrast of cool creamy dressing, with the crispness of the fresh lettuce and the crunchy bits of bacon and panko.
- Great Dinner Party Appetizer – Serve this salad family style on a platter for easy grabbing. It has a beautiful presentation that will impress guests.
What is a Wedge Salad?
The classic wedge salad is an American steakhouse staple. It is typically made with iceberg lettuce and blue cheese dressing. It may include ingredients like bacon bits, diced tomatoes, red onions, and blue cheese crumbles. But its standout feature is the large triangular-shaped lettuce wedges.
Tools You’ll Need
Wedge Salad Ingredients
Wedge salad without blue cheese is a thing and this miso ranch dressing is definitely an upgrade.
Miso Ranch Dressing
- Buttermilk – This thins out the dressing and adds a slight tangy flavor.
- Creme fraiche – This is similar to sour cream but thicker and richer in flavor.
- Cloves garlic – Grate fresh garlic.
- Chives – Finely chopped fresh chives add a pop of color and herbaceous flavor.
- Dried buttermilk – This has a richer taste than buttermilk. It tastes more buttery than tangy and will lend the dressing a creamier texture. I use this buttermilk powder.
- Mayonnaise – This is the rich, creamy base of the dressing. I always use Hellman’s brand.
- Fresh lemon – Lemon juice and lemon zest are added for a hint of freshness and zing.
- Seasoning & Dried Herbs – Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal), freshly cracked black pepper, onion powder, dried parsley, dried dill
- White miso – This has a mild and slightly sweet taste with a subtle umami undertone that adds depth to the overall taste of the salad dressing.
- Hot water – Combine this with the miso to create a miso paste.
Little Gem Salad
- Little gem lettuce – This lettuce has a sweet, nutty taste with peppery undertones. It’s crunchy just iceberg lettuce but more tender, which makes for a better dining experience.
- Thick-cut bacon – You’ll love the mouthfeel of thick bacon and adds nice texture.
- Chives – Chopped, for garnish and a pop of onion flavor.
Garlic Panko
- Panko breadcrumbs – These Japanese-style breadcrumbs are delicious on their own but toasting them makes them even more irresistable.
- Avocado oil – Use this to brown the breadcrumbs.
- Garlic cloves – Grated and added to for a garlic-flavored panko.
- Kosher salt – Add to taste.
How to Cut a Wedge Salad
First, remove any wilted leaves from the head of lettuce. Then cut the lettuce head in half, lengthwise, slicing through the core. Cut both halves in half again, creating quarters. Rinse each wedge carefully, draining excess water and drying the wedges with paper towels.
How To Make a Wedge Salad
Wedge chopped salad is incredibly easy to assemble with just a few simple instructions.
- Make the dressing – In a medium bowl, combine hot water and white miso.Stir until miso is smooth. Add the remaining dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside. Dressing is best made the night before or if short on time, at least 1-2 hours before serving.
2. Cook Bacon – Cook in a skillet until golden and crispy. Break into bite-sized pieces then set aside.
3. Make garlic panko breadcrumbs – Add avocado oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Keep a frequent stir to keep garlic from browning, lowering heat, if needed. Add panko and constantly stir for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Seasoning with salt then transfer to a bowl and set aside.
4. Prepare salad – Place little gem lettuce on a plate. Pour the desired amount of dressing then top with bacon crumbles, garlicky panko, and chives. Finish with a couple of grinds of black pepper. Enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Remember to clean the lettuce after you slice it. Nothing is worse than biting into a salad and finding grainy bits of dirt and debris. And dry them thoroughly so the leaves don’t get soggy. I always use this to ensure my lettuce is free of any water. I use this salad spinner to get the job done.
- The dressing is best made the night before. If you don’t have the time, try to make it at least 1-2 hours before serving.
- Do not go overboard with the toppings. You want more lettuce than anything. Dice the toppings into small pieces too.
Wedge Salad Variations
- Lettuce – You can use iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, or butter lettuce as substitutes.
- Cheese – If you want to add cheese, try bleu cheese or gorgonzola.
- Veggies – Add cherry tomatoes, olives, or avocados.
- Salad Dressing – Instead of miso ranch dressing, keep it classic with blue cheese dressing or try Caesar dressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the point of a wedge salad?
Wedge salad is all about presentation and texture. Traditionally, it’s been used as a fresh start to a hearty steakhouse meal. It has a balance of contrasting textures and flavors that make it a treat for your taste buds.
How do you cut lettuce for wedge salad?
Slice the lettuce lengthwise, straight through the core. Then slice the halves again, to create quarters.
What do you serve with wedge salad?
The classic pairing for wedge salad is steak but grilled chicken or salmon are tasty options too.
How are you supposed to eat a wedge salad?
Use a knife and fork to slice the wedges into small pieces and enjoy!
Looking for More Delicious Salad Recipes?
- Radicchio Salad with Miso Maple Dressing
- Grilled Corn Salad
- Kale and White Bean Salad | Erewhon Copycat
- Smashed Cucumber Salad with Tahini Miso Dressing
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Little Gem Wedge Salad with Miso Ranch
Equipment
- Microplane Grater
- Skillet
Ingredients
Miso Ranch Dressing
- ½ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup creme fraiche
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 3 tablespoons chives, finely chopped
- 1½ tablespoons dried buttermilk
- 1½ tablespoons mayonnaise, Hellman's brand
- 1 lemon juiced
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¾ teaspoon dried dill
- 1½ teaspoons white miso
- 1½ teaspoons hot water
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, Diamond Crystal
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Little Gem Salad
- ¾ pound little gem lettuce, halved lengthwise
- 5 slices thick-cut bacon
- chives, chopped, for garnish
Garlic Panko
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1½ tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- pinch kosher salt, or to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing – In a medium bowl, combine hot water and white miso.Stir until miso is smooth. Add the remaining dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside. Dressing is best made the night before or if short on time, at least 1-2 hours before serving.
- Cook Bacon – Cook in a skillet until golden and crispy. Break into bite-sized pieces then set aside.
- Make garlic panko breadcrumbs – Add avocado oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Keep a frequent stir to keep garlic from browning, lowering heat, if needed. Add panko and constantly stir for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Seasoning with salt then transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Prepare salad – Place little gem lettuce on a plate. Pour the desired amount of dressing then top with bacon crumbles, garlicky panko, and chives. Finish with a couple of grinds of black pepper. Enjoy!
