I’m telling you, there’s something magical about a perfectly executed wedge salad – that first bite where you get the crisp crunch of iceberg, tangy blue cheese, salty bacon, and sweet balsamic all at once. The Outback Blue Wedge Salad brings together these bold flavors in a way that makes a simple salad feel like an indulgent treat. It’s the side dish that often steals the show from whatever main course it’s paired with. Want to know the secrets to making this restaurant favorite even better at home?
Why You’ll Love this Crisp & Creamy Outback Blue Wedge Salad
When you’re craving something that balances indulgence with freshness, this Outback Blue Wedge Salad hits all the right notes. The contrast between the cool, crisp iceberg lettuce and the rich, tangy blue cheese dressing creates magic in your mouth.
The best part? It takes minutes to assemble but looks like you spent hours. Perfect for impressing dinner guests or treating yourself to a restaurant-quality salad at home. Simple ingredients, spectacular results.
I’m obsessed with how the salty bacon bits play against the sweet balsamic glaze. And those cherry tomatoes? Little bursts of juicy goodness.
What Ingredients are in Crisp & Creamy Outback Blue Wedge Salad?
To recreate this restaurant favorite at home, you’ll need a handful of simple ingredients that come together to create something truly spectacular.
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 6-8 slices bacon
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing (made with mayonnaise, sour cream, heavy cream, blue cheese crumbles, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
For the best flavor experience, make sure to get quality blue cheese—it’s the star of the show here, and a good, creamy variety will make all the difference in both the crumbles and the homemade dressing.
How to Make this Crisp & Creamy Outback Blue Wedge Salad
Making this restaurant-worthy salad at home is surprisingly simple. Start by cutting 1 head of iceberg lettuce into 4 wedges, being careful to keep the core intact—this helps the wedges hold their shape on the plate. While that’s waiting, cook 6-8 slices of bacon until they’re perfectly crispy, then crumble them into bits that will add that wonderful salty crunch throughout the salad.
The magic of this wedge salad lies in the blue cheese dressing, which you’ll want to prepare ahead of time and chill. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, heavy cream, blue cheese crumbles, a splash of Worcestershire sauce, and a bit of salt and pepper to taste.
When you’re ready to serve, place your lettuce wedges on individual plates and generously drizzle with the chilled dressing. Can we take a moment to appreciate how the cold, creamy dressing contrasts with the crisp lettuce? Next, sprinkle each wedge with the crumbled bacon, 1 cup of halved cherry or grape tomatoes, 1/2 cup of thinly sliced red onion, and 1 cup of blue cheese crumbles. The finishing touch? A delicate drizzle of 2 tablespoons of balsamic glaze that adds just the right amount of sweet acidity.
For best results, don’t assemble this salad until right before you’re ready to eat. Nobody wants soggy lettuce, right? And trust me on this—don’t skimp on quality blue cheese. When the cheese is the star of the show, a good creamy variety will elevate your homemade version from good to I-can’t-believe-I-made-this-myself amazing. The contrasting textures of crisp lettuce, creamy dressing, crunchy bacon, and juicy tomatoes make every bite a perfect balance of flavors and sensations. Precise cutting and preparation is much easier with a premium chef knife that provides the control needed for those perfect lettuce wedges and finely diced ingredients.
What to Serve with Crisp & Creamy Outback Blue Wedge Salad
A perfect meal companion for your Outback Blue Wedge Salad can take this starter from simple side to showstopping dinner. I love pairing this robust salad with grilled proteins—a medium-rare steak, herb-roasted chicken, or even seared salmon works beautifully.
For a complete steakhouse experience, add a baked potato with all the fixings. Want something lighter? Try crusty bread and a bowl of tomato soup.
The key is balancing the salad’s bold flavors and creamy dressing. Something hearty but not competing with that gorgeous blue cheese profile is exactly what you need.
Leftovers and Storage for this Crisp & Creamy Outback Blue Wedge Salad
Properly storing leftover wedge salad can mean the difference between tomorrow’s delicious lunch and a sad, soggy disappointment. Trust me, nobody wants wilted lettuce swimming in watery dressing.
For best results, store each component separately. Keep the lettuce wedges in a container lined with paper towels, the dressing in a sealed jar, and toppings in their own containers. This prevents everything from getting mushy.
When you’re ready to eat, just reassemble! The lettuce stays crisp, the bacon stays crunchy, and I’m not crying over wasted ingredients.
Properly stored, components last 2-3 days in the fridge.
Crisp & Creamy Outback Blue Wedge Salad Substitutions and Variations
Several easy substitutions can transform this classic Outback Blue Wedge Salad to suit your taste preferences or what’s already in your fridge. Not a blue cheese fan? Swap it for feta or gorgonzola. The dressing works beautifully with ranch as a base too.
For a lighter version, try turkey bacon or chickpea “bacon bits” and Greek yogurt in the dressing. Romaine hearts can replace iceberg for extra nutrition, while avocado adds creaminess without the cheese.
Want it heartier? Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs. Candied walnuts or pecans give a sweet crunch that pairs wonderfully with the tangy balsamic.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’ve tweaked the recipe with your own substitutions or kept it classic, the Outback Blue Wedge Salad remains one of those restaurant-worthy dishes that’s surprisingly simple to create at home. I can’t get over how the contrasting textures—crisp lettuce, creamy dressing, crunchy bacon—come together in perfect harmony.
The combination of tangy blue cheese, sweet balsamic glaze, and savory bacon creates that perfect flavor balance we all crave. Ready in minutes, yet feels like a special treat.
It’s impressive enough for guests but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
For another quick and easy side dish option, try making crispy broccoli in your air fryer at 390°F for 7-9 minutes.