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Add a burst of summer flavor to your plate with this Strawberry Wedge Salad. Just like the classic iceberg wedge, it’s crisp, fresh, and loaded with bacon and blue cheese dressing. But this one adds sweet, juicy strawberries for a delicious twist. It’s a lovely light lunch or to pair with your favorite grilled meals.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Wedge Salad
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-cook
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
I have a special place in my heart (and stomach) for wedge salads with all of that delicious bacon and blue cheese paired with the fresh, crisp iceberg. But I am also a huge fan of salads that add fruit because I can never get enough sweet and savory. So I thought, why not combine the two? That’s how this Strawberry Wedge Salad was born.
I keep it very simple so that I can throw it together while I have a steak on the grill, because we all know there isn’t much better than the steakhouse pairing of juicy beef and a hearty wedge. But it still totally delivers on flavor and texture. Here’s why you’ll love it…
- Classic flavor with a twist. The crunch factor of iceberg lettuce is really just the vehicle for all of the other amazing flavors. You’ve got the classic salty smoky bacon and fresh cucumbers along with creamy and tangy blue cheese. Then, to change things up and add a sweet element that perfectly complements all of the other flavors – strawberries!
- Quick to assemble. I love an interesting salad, but I don’t want to take forever preparing all of the different components. All I had to do here was toss some bacon in the oven, and while it crisped up, I quickly stirred together the dressing and sliced the berries and cukes. A few quick slices through a head of iceberg lettuce and then all you have to do is pile it all on a plate.
- Adaptable for everyone. It’s naturally gluten free, you can swap the dressing for a dairy-free option, and even leave off the bacon to make it vegetarian. Choose a keto-friendly dressing if you need to make it low carb. As far as flavors and ingredients, you can easily change things up and add more or less, depending on how you like it. I share some ideas below!
This is a salad you will enjoy all summer long!
Recipe Ingredients
This strawberry wedge salad is so simple with a short list of ingredients that pack a big flavor punch. But the best part is that it really is just a starting point that you can customize any way you like. I’ll give you a brief overview of what you’ll need and some variation ideas. You can find the full amounts and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Iceberg lettuce. Remove outer leaves, cut into quarters or eighths to form wedges, and cut off the hard core.
- Bacon. Cooked and crumbled. You can use pork or turkey bacon.
- Cucumber. Peeling is optional. Then cut lengthwise into quarters and slice.
- Strawberries. Wash, dry, and core the strawberries, then cut into slices.
- Blue cheese dressing. I like to make my Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing, but you can use your favorite store-bought or homemade version. Use a dairy-free dressing, if needed.
Wedge Salad Variations
Use another type of lettuce. You can cut Romaine hearts into “wedges” or just use the same toppings on some spring greens.
Try other fruit. Blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries are all great, or use a combination of berries. You can even bring this salad into fall by using chopped apples or pears.
Add more veggies. Tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, bell peppers, or even some roasted asparagus will add another level of flavor to the salad.
Up the protein. Add some grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp to the salad. You can also go with a hard boiled egg or some chickpeas in addition to or instead of the bacon if you want a vegetarian option.
Swap the dressing. Blue cheese dressing may be classic on a wedge salad, but you can also use Hot Bacon Dressing, a simple honey mustard. Strawberry Poppyseed Dressing, or anything you love.
Top it off. You can also add some chopped pistachios, toasted pine nuts, or honey glazed walnuts. Give it a drizzle of balsamic reduction. Or scatter croutons, even polenta croutons for a gluten free option.
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy this strawberry wedge salad as a light lunch, maybe with a buttered slice of Gluten Free Brioche. But it’s also a great side for seasonal meals. Here are some ideas to make it a meal.
- Lighten Up a Cozy Meal. If you are serving a hearty comfort food dinner like Tuna Noodle Casserole, this salad is a nice balance. It’s also wonderful with an Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken.
- Complete Your Brunch. This favorite weekend meal is always nice with a mix of sweet and savory, so pair this iceberg wedge with Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole and Gluten Free German Pancakes.
- Serve a Summery Dinner. Assemble the salad while you have Cilantro Lime Chicken or steaks on the grill.
Strawberry Wedge Salad
Ingredients
- 1 head iceberg lettuce
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (pork or turkey bacon)
- 1 cup sliced cucumbers
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- Greek Yogurt Blue Cheese Dressing or your favorite bleu cheese dressing
Instructions
- Remove any wilted outer leaves of the lettuce and cut the head into quarters. Slice off the hard core and, if desired, cut each wedge in half to form eighths. Place one quarter or two eighths on each plate.
- Top each with about one slice of the crumbled bacon, 1/4 cup of the cucumbers, and 1/4 cup of the strawberries.
- Drizzle each wedge with about two tablespoons of the dressing, or as much as you like.
Did you make this?
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Categories:
More Salad Recipes:
- Summer Grilled Shrimp Salad
- Steak Salad with Mushrooms and Brie
- Ultimate Chicken Cobb Salad
- Roasted Berry and Brie Kale Salad from Eats Well With Others
- BBQ Chicken, Pear & Gorgonzola Salad from Lemon Tree Dwelling
This salad looks incredible and is definitely right up my alley! I would love this for my summer lunches or a light dinner. Thanks for the idea! I’m pinning, stumbling and yumming! 🙂 It was so nice meeting you in person finally! I hope you had safe travels home.
Thanks so much Sandra! It was great meeting you!
I love this salad and can’t wait to try it. There is nothing better than a great summer salad. Thanks for sharing my pineapple salad – truly a favorite.
I won’t be home this weekend, but next weekend I’m gonna have the hubby grill some steaks and pineapple and we will make your salad!!