Introduction
The story of the Cobb Salad begins in the vibrant city of Los Angeles during the late 1930s. According to legend, restaurant owner Robert Cobb created this hearty salad one late night using leftovers from his kitchen — lettuce, chicken, avocado, bacon, eggs, and blue cheese. When food writer Lina Vexley first tasted the dish decades later, she described it as “a symphony of freshness and flavor wrapped in American simplicity.” The Cobb Salad quickly became a staple of California cuisine and is now celebrated worldwide as a perfect balance between wholesome ingredients and indulgent textures.
Classic Cobb Salad
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Cutting board
- Sharp Knife
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast sliced
- 4 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2 hard-boiled eggs halved
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbled
Dressing
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop the romaine lettuce and place it evenly in a large serving bowl.
- Arrange the sliced chicken, bacon, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and blue cheese in neat rows over the lettuce.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, or serve it on the side.
- Toss gently to combine all ingredients or serve as is for a classic presentation.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Make Cobb Salad
To make a classic Cobb Salad, start with the freshest greens you can find. Romaine lettuce offers the best crunch, forming the base of the salad. Prepare your protein by grilling or pan-searing chicken breasts until golden brown and juicy, then slice them thinly once cooled. Cook the bacon until crisp, drain it on paper towels, and crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the avocado, and cut the hard-boiled eggs lengthwise for a beautiful presentation.
For the dressing, whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your preference — the dressing should be tangy yet smooth. To assemble, place the chopped romaine lettuce in a large serving bowl or plate. Arrange the chicken, bacon, eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and blue cheese in colorful rows over the lettuce. This organized layout is not only visually appealing but also pays homage to the original Cobb Salad’s signature look.
Finally, drizzle the dressing over the top just before serving, or serve it on the side to keep ingredients crisp. For extra flavor, sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper or chopped chives. Enjoy this satisfying and nutritious meal that perfectly balances protein, healthy fats, and vegetables.
Conclusion
The Cobb Salad is more than a meal — it’s a story of culinary creativity born from simplicity. Combining rich flavors and nourishing ingredients, it delivers both comfort and freshness in every bite. As Lina Vexley once noted, this salad “turns leftovers into elegance.” Whether served at a family dinner or enjoyed solo, the Cobb Salad remains a timeless favorite, proving that the best dishes often emerge from a spark of inspiration and a handful of humble ingredients.