Nothing beats the vibrant crunch and colorful rows of a classic Cobb Salad. Over three test runs, I refined every detail: slicing the avocado at the last moment to keep that buttery green, crisping the bacon just shy of char, and whisking the dressing until it smelled of tangy mustard and bright vinegar. With just 20 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cook time, this is a quick crowd-pleaser any night. If you love hearty salads, you’ll also enjoy my Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad.
About Cobb Salad
This Cobb Salad comes from a legendary Hollywood hotel in the 1930s but feels right at home on any table today. I’ve tested it through family dinners and solo lunches, discovering that waiting to dress the greens prevents sogginess and keeps every shred of romaine crisp. Budget-friendly and endlessly adaptable, it’s a dish I’ve turned to throughout summer and into cozy winter months.
- Quick prep – ready in 35 minutes total
- Protein-packed with chicken, bacon and eggs
- Versatile for meal prep or dinner parties
- Did you know? The original featured leftover ingredients from Cobb’s pantry
Key Ingredients & Their Roles
- Romaine Lettuce (4 cups): crisp foundation – swap for mixed greens in a pinch
- Grilled Chicken Breasts (2): hearty protein – rotisserie chicken works well
- Bacon Strips (4): smoky crunch – cook until edges just begin to brown
- Avocado (1): creamy texture – dice just before serving to prevent browning
- Hard-Boiled Eggs (2): rich flavor – cool fully, then peel for clean slices
- Blue Cheese Crumbles (½ cup): tangy finish – goat cheese is a milder alternative
How to Make Cobb Salad
- Place the lettuce in a large bowl.
- Top with the chicken, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, eggs and cheese in neat rows.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad.
- Toss to combine just before serving.
Pro Tips & Troubleshooting
- Season the chicken while it’s still warm so it soaks up the dressing more evenly.
- Avoid tossing lettuce early – dressing it too soon turns leaves limp.
- Swap blue cheese for goat cheese and add fresh berries for a spring twist.
- Want to feed a crowd? Easily double all ingredients and use a sheet-pan for assembly.
Storage & Make-Ahead Guide
Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours in airtight containers: greens separately from toppings. Stored this way, components stay fresh up to 3 days (I found bacon stays crisp between paper towels). Dressing can be kept up to 5 days in the fridge. Freezing not recommended for best texture.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this Cobb Salad with a light Cucumber Tomato Salad or offer slices of Simple Avocado Toast with Egg for extra comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is in a Cobb Salad? It’s layers of romaine, chicken, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, hard-boiled eggs and blue cheese, dressed with a mustard-vinegar vinaigrette.
- How long can I store Cobb Salad? Keep components separately refrigerated up to 3 days; toss just before serving.
- What dressing goes with Cobb Salad? A simple mix of olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper brightens the flavors.
- Can I prep Cobb Salad ahead? Yes—chop and store each ingredient in separate containers; assemble right before eating.
- How do I cook chicken for Cobb Salad? Grill or pan-sear breasts until internal temperature is 165°F, then dice.
Final Thoughts
I love diving into all those colorful rows with a fork, savoring the crunchy lettuce, creamy avocado and smoky bacon in every bite of Cobb Salad. Give it a try, tweak the toppings to your taste, and let me know how it turns out!
More Recipes You’ll Love
- Tex-Mex Chopped Chicken Salad – shares hearty chopped salad style with protein
- Cucumber Tomato Salad – bright, crisp veggies that balance rich Cobb elements
- Simple Avocado Toast with Egg – creamy avocado and egg pairing complements your salad
- Watermelon Feta Salad – a refreshing fruit and cheese salad perfect for summer sides
Cobb Salad
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 2 chicken breasts cooked and diced
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 1 avocado diced
- 2 hard-boiled eggs sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 0.5 cup blue cheese crumbled
Dressing Ingredients
- 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Salad Ingredients
- Chop the romaine lettuce and place it in a large bowl.4 cups romaine lettuce
- Arrange the chicken, bacon, avocado, eggs, tomatoes, and blue cheese in rows on top of the lettuce.2 chicken breasts, 4 slices bacon, 1 avocado, 2 hard-boiled eggs, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 0.5 cup blue cheese
Dressing
- Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 0.5 teaspoon salt
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine just before serving.