Cobb Salad

The Cobb Salad is an enduring classic of American cuisine, celebrated for its vibrant colours, rich flavours, and the perfect balance of textures. Originating in Hollywood in the 1930s, it was reportedly created at the famous Brown Derby restaurant by owner Robert Cobb. Over the decades, it has become synonymous with elegance and comfort, a dish that’s both hearty and fresh, making it an ideal choice for lunch or a light dinner. What sets the Cobb Salad apart is its meticulous layering of ingredients, each contributing a distinct taste and texture, transforming a simple salad into a culinary experience.

At the heart of this salad is the verdant base of mixed greens. The combination of finely chopped iceberg lettuce, chicory, romaine, and watercress provides a crisp, refreshing foundation. Each type of green contributes its own character: iceberg brings crunch, romaine offers a tender and slightly bitter bite, chicory adds a hint of earthy sharpness, and watercress lends a subtle peppery note. The careful chopping and mixing of these greens ensure a harmonious blend that balances the other rich and savory components of the salad.

Once the greens are in place, the Cobb Salad truly comes alive with its colourful toppings, traditionally arranged in long, narrow strips rather than mixed in. This presentation not only enhances the visual appeal but also allows diners to appreciate each ingredient individually or combine them at will. Juicy, cooked chicken breast provides a lean, protein-packed element that’s tender and flavorful. Crisply cooked smoked back bacon adds a smoky, salty crunch, creating a contrast with the smoothness of other toppings.

Ripe avocado is another essential component, its creamy texture softening the sharper notes from the greens and bacon. Boiled eggs, finely chopped, offer a mild richness and subtle sweetness, while juicy tomatoes bring a touch of acidity that lifts the overall flavour. Blue cheese, crumbled over the top, adds a bold, tangy edge, infusing the salad with depth and complexity. The interplay between these ingredients creates a dynamic taste profile—savory, creamy, crisp, and slightly tangy—all in one dish.

No Cobb Salad is complete without a dressing, and in this version, French dressing ties everything together. Its balance of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy flavours complements the robust toppings without overwhelming them. Adding the dressing just before serving ensures that the greens stay crisp and the flavours remain distinct, while still allowing the dressing to coat each bite for a cohesive taste experience.

Beyond its taste, the Cobb Salad is versatile and visually striking, making it suitable for casual family meals or more formal dining occasions. Its rich mix of proteins, vegetables, and bold flavours means it can be a complete meal on its own, yet it’s light enough to enjoy without feeling heavy. The careful layering and thoughtful combination of ingredients reflect both culinary tradition and a focus on balance and harmony in food.

Ultimately, the Cobb Salad is more than just a salad—it’s a celebration of texture, colour, and flavour. From the crisp greens to the creamy avocado, the smoky bacon to the tangy blue cheese, every element contributes to a dish that is as satisfying to the eyes as it is to the palate. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its brilliant simplicity and timeless appeal, a classic that continues to capture the hearts of salad lovers around the world.

This salad embodies both elegance and practicality, offering a colourful, nutrient-rich meal that is as enjoyable to assemble as it is to eat. Its layered construction and balance of flavours make it a standout example of how thoughtful ingredient selection and presentation can elevate a humble salad into a culinary masterpiece.

Cobb Salad

Cobb Salad is simple to prepare with no cooking but looks absolutely stunning it is almost a shame to disturb it.

4.86 from 74 votes

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Course: Main Dish, Salad, Starter

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Avocado, Bacon, Blue Cheese, Chicken, Cobb Salad, Salad, Vegetables

Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 315kcal

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Ingredients

 

MetricImperial

• ▢ 2 large chicken breast boneless, cooked and diced
• ▢ 6 rashers smoked back bacon crisply cooked and finely chopped
• ▢ 1 large avocado ripe, peeled, pitted, and finely chopped
• ▢ 3 large eggs boiled, peeled and finely chopped
• ▢ 4 cups iceberg lettuce finely chopped
• ▢ 4 cups chicory finely chopped
• ▢ 4 cups romaine finely chopped
• ▢ 2 cups watercress finely chopped
• ▢ 2 medium tomatoes seeded and finely chopped
• ▢ 1/2 cup blue cheese
• ▢ 1 cup French dressing

Instructions

• Combine the iceberg lettuce, chicory, romaine, and watercress and form a mound in a large shallow salad bowl or deep platter.
  4 cups iceberg lettuce, 4 cups chicory, 4 cups romaine, 2 cups watercress
• Arrange the tomatoes, chicken, bacon, avocado, and eggs, blue cheese artfully on top of the greens (long, narrow strips of the individual ingredients is traditional).
  2 large chicken breast, 6 rashers smoked back bacon, 1 large avocado, 3 large eggs, 2 medium tomatoes, 1/2 cup blue cheese
• Add 1 cup (250 ml) of the salad dressing immediately before serving.
  1 cup French dressing

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 582mg | Potassium: 953mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 11g