Cobb Salad Ingredients and Recipe

Cobb Salad Ingredients: Bacon, Avocado, Tomato, Blue Cheese, Romaine Lettuce, Eggs, Olives

Cobb salad is a classic American dish that originated at the famed Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles during the 1930s. Created by Bob Cobb, a Hollywood restaurateur, the salad became a beloved favorite among patrons, particularly film star Sid Grauman. Over the years, the original recipe has evolved, but some key elements remain consistent, including crispy bacon, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, tangy blue cheese, leafy romaine lettuce, tender boiled eggs, and briny olives. Here's a closer look at these iconic components.

Bacon

Bacon provides the signature crispy texture and savory flavor to Cobb salad. Traditionally, the bacon is cooked until crispy and then drained on paper towels to remove excess grease. For the best result, ensure that your bacon is crispy, as this adds to the overall crunchiness of the dish.

Avocado

Avocado contributes its creamy texture and rich flavor to the salad. Typically, the avocado is peeled, pitted, and cut into medium dice before being incorporated into the salad. Its mild taste complements other ingredients such as blue cheese.

Tomato

The juicy, fresh flavor of tomatoes enhances the overall taste profile of the salad. Medium dice tomatoes are used in the recipe, adding both color and moisture to each bite.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese provides a tangy, somewhat pungent flavor to the salad. The crumbled cheese is mixed with other ingredients, creating a perfect balance between savory and slightly sour tastes.

Romaine Lettuce

Romaine lettuce serves as the base for the Cobb salad. This leafy green not only gives structure to the dish but also offers a slight bitter note that contrasts well with the rich flavors of the other components.

Eggs

Hard-boiled eggs add softness and tenderness to the salad, serving as a delightful counterpoint to other more robust ingredients like bacon and blue cheese. They are typically quartered or sliced and scattered over the top of the assembled salad.

Olives

While olives aren't always included in every Cobb salad recipe, they can add a nice briny and savory component to the dish when used. You can opt for black or green pitted olives and mix them in with the other ingredients for added complexity.

To create a classic Cobb salad, follow the steps below:

1. Cook chicken breasts until fully cooked and then cut them into small cubes. Season with salt and pepper if desired.
2. Cook bacon slices until crispy and drain on paper towels.
3. Prepare romaine lettuce by washing, drying, and tearing it into pieces.
4. Make the vinaigrette using red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Shake together in a jar.
5. Assemble the salad by combining two ounces of romaine with two tablespoons of vinaigrette on a plate. Top with four ounces of chicken, one ounce of diced tomato, one ounce of blue cheese, two ounces of avocado, and quartered hard-boiled eggs. Add bacon strips and olives if desired.

Enjoy this timeless American classic!