If you’re craving something fresh, satisfying, and bursting with flavor, the Crispy Wedge Salad with Homemade Ranch Recipe is a true game-changer. This classic wedge salad takes the humble iceberg lettuce and transforms it into a showstopper with crisp texture, juicy cherry tomatoes, smoky bacon, perfectly cooked eggs, and a generous drizzle of creamy homemade ranch dressing that’s bursting with herbs and garlic. It’s a salad that feels indulgent yet light, making it perfect for a family dinner or special get-together where you want everyone to ask for seconds. Trust me, once you try this Crisp Wedge Salad with Homemade Ranch Recipe, it’s going to be your go-to anytime you want an easy crowd-pleaser that wows.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients is super simple for this salad, but every single item plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, crunch, and creaminess. From the crisp iceberg lettuce to the rich homemade ranch dressing, these ingredients complement each other perfectly.
- Iceberg lettuce: The star of the salad, offering a fresh and crunchy base that holds all the toppings beautifully.
- Cherry tomatoes: Adds juicy bursts of sweetness and vibrant color throughout the salad.
- Eggs: Hard-boiled and quartered for protein and a rich, creamy texture.
- Bacon: Crispy, smoky, and chopped to add a flavorful crunch that elevates the entire dish.
- Red onion: Finely chopped to provide a subtle sharpness and color contrast.
- Chives: Adds a delicate onion-y flavor and fresh green color.
- Toasted garlic panko breadcrumbs: Provide an irresistible garlicky crunch on top of the salad.
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt: The creamy base for the homemade ranch, making it smooth and tangy.
- Buttermilk: Gives the ranch dressing that signature tang and perfect pourable consistency.
- Mayonnaise: Adds richness and body to the homemade ranch dressing.
- Lemon juice: Brightens all the flavors and adds a refreshing citrus kick.
- Garlic cloves: Freshly grated garlic boosts the ranch’s bold flavor.
- Garlic powder: Enhances the garlic punch in the dressing subtly and evenly.
- Onion powder: Deepens the savory flavors in the ranch without overpowering.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning both the dressing and salad perfectly.
- Dill: Fresh or dried dill lends a lovely herbal note that makes the ranch unforgettable.
How to Make Crisp Wedge Salad with Homemade Ranch Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Lettuce and Toppings
Start by carefully cutting the iceberg lettuce head into four large wedges. This keeps the signature form of the wedge salad, providing an excellent surface for all the toppings. Arrange these wedges on your serving plates so they’re ready to be dressed.
Step 2: Cook Bacon and Toast Breadcrumbs
Cook your bacon slices until they’re perfectly crispy, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. In a small pan, toast the garlic panko breadcrumbs until golden and fragrant to add a crunchy, garlicky layer on top of your salad. This extra step is where the magic happens, adding a satisfying texture that contrasts beautifully with the creamy dressing.
Step 3: Make the Homemade Ranch Dressing
In a bowl, whisk together sour cream (or Greek yogurt), buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, grated garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and dill until smooth and creamy. Adjust the buttermilk to achieve your desired consistency—some prefer it thicker to dollop, others like it thinner to drizzle.
Step 4: Assemble the Salad
Top each lettuce wedge with halved cherry tomatoes, quartered hard-boiled eggs, chopped red onion, crispy bacon, and sprinkle the toasted garlic panko breadcrumbs generously. Finally, drizzle your homemade ranch dressing all over the wedges, allowing it to pool slightly for that indulgent experience.
How to Serve Crisp Wedge Salad with Homemade Ranch Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh chives and dill make perfect garnishes, adding a pop of bright green color and subtle flavor that highlights the homemade ranch dressing. A few extra crispy bacon bits on top also make your salad look irresistible.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled steaks, roasted chicken, or crispy fried chicken. It also works as a fantastic starter for a more substantial dinner or as a side dish at a summer barbecue or picnic.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the wedge salad on wooden boards or rustic platters for a charming, casual vibe. For dinner parties, consider plating individual wedges with delicate amounts of each topping so guests get a perfectly styled portion. You can also offer the homemade ranch dressing on the side for dipping if you want to keep it neat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover wedge salad, store the components separately for best freshness. Lettuce tends to wilt quickly once dressed, so keep it wrapped tightly in plastic and refrigerate. Bacon and dressing should also be kept in airtight containers.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this salad as the lettuce and fresh ingredients lose their texture and freshness. However, you can freeze the homemade ranch dressing without mayonnaise or buttermilk by substituting shelf-stable ingredients, but fresh is always best!
Reheating
This salad is best served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary. If you want to warm up the bacon, do so carefully in a pan or microwave, then add it fresh to your salad.
FAQs
Can I use another type of lettuce for the wedge salad?
While iceberg lettuce is traditional for its crispness and shape, you could try romaine for a similar crunch or butter lettuce for a softer texture, though it won’t hold the same wedge form.
How long does homemade ranch dressing last in the fridge?
Homemade ranch can last up to a week in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Always give it a good stir before using and check for any off smells.
What can I substitute if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk and allowing it to sit for 5-10 minutes before using in the ranch dressing recipe.
Is the garlic panko breadcrumb topping necessary?
While optional, the garlic panko breadcrumbs add a wonderful crunchy texture and extra garlic flavor that elevates the salad. You can skip or replace them with regular toasted breadcrumbs or crumbled croutons if needed.
Can I prepare the salad in advance for a party?
Yes, but keep the lettuce and toppings separate from the dressing and breadcrumbs until just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.
Final Thoughts
This Crisp Wedge Salad with Homemade Ranch Recipe has everything I love about a classic salad, just elevated with the best homemade dressing and crunchy toppings. It’s so refreshing yet satisfying, easy to pull together, and bound to impress anyone you serve it to. I genuinely hope you enjoy making and sharing this salad as much as I do — it’s a true crowd-pleaser that never goes out of style.
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Crisp Wedge Salad with Homemade Ranch Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A refreshing and crunchy Crisp Wedge Salad featuring iceberg lettuce wedges topped with cherry tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, crispy bacon, red onion, chives, and toasted garlic panko breadcrumbs. Served with a creamy homemade ranch dressing made from sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, and herbs, this salad is perfect for a light lunch or a delicious side.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 head iceberg lettuce (cut into wedges)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 4 eggs (hard boiled and quartered)
- 6 slices bacon (cooked and chopped)
- ¼ small red onion (finely chopped)
- 3 tablespoons chives (finely chopped)
- ½ cup toasted garlic panko breadcrumbs
Homemade Ranch Dressing
- 1 cup sour cream (or use Greek yogurt)
- ½ cup buttermilk (or more if you want it runnier)
- â…“ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic (grated or more to taste)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or more to taste)
- 3 tablespoons dill (finely chopped or use dried)
Instructions
- Prepare the salad ingredients. Cut the head of iceberg lettuce into wedges and arrange them on a serving plate. Halve the cherry tomatoes, quarter the hard-boiled eggs, finely chop the red onion and chives, and cook the bacon until crispy, then chop it into pieces. Set these aside for topping the salad.
- Make the homemade ranch dressing. In a bowl, combine sour cream or Greek yogurt, buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, grated garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and chopped dill. Whisk thoroughly until smooth and creamy. Adjust the consistency by adding more buttermilk if desired.
- Toast the garlic panko breadcrumbs. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the panko breadcrumbs. Toast them, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool slightly.
- Assemble the salad. Drizzle the homemade ranch dressing generously over the iceberg wedges. Top with halved cherry tomatoes, quartered hard-boiled eggs, chopped bacon, finely chopped red onion, and chives. Sprinkle the toasted garlic panko breadcrumbs over the top for added crunch.
- Serve immediately. Enjoy the salad fresh to maintain the crisp texture of the lettuce and the crunchiness of the breadcrumbs.
Notes
- For a lighter dressing, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- Adjust the garlic quantity in the dressing based on your preference for pungency.
- If buttermilk is unavailable, use milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar as a substitute.
- To make this salad vegetarian, omit bacon and consider adding toasted nuts for crunch.
- Use fresh dill for best flavor, but dried dill works as a convenient alternative.
- Toast breadcrumbs carefully to avoid burning and bitterness.
