Dinner

Cobb Salad Recipe

ByLila Prescott July 26, 2025July 26, 2025

If you love a salad that’s hearty, colorful, and bursting with flavor, you’re going to be head over heels for this Cobb Salad Recipe. With layers of crisp lettuce, savory chicken, creamy avocado, crispy bacon, vibrant tomatoes, and more, it’s a stunning showpiece on any table and delivers a craveable mix of textures in every bite. Toss in a gorgeous homemade vinaigrette, and you’ve got a feel-good meal you’ll want to revisit all year long.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s break down the core lineup for this Cobb Salad Recipe. Each ingredient pulls its weight, bringing something special to the salad—richness, crunch, saltiness, creaminess, or a pop of color. Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love using them:

2 hard boiled eggs: Sliced thin, these add lovely creaminess and a bit of protein.
4 strips cooked bacon: Chop them small for salty, crispy pops in every bite.
1 cooked boneless chicken breast: Chopped into small pieces, this brings satisfying, lean protein to the party.
5 cups green lettuce: Roughly chopped for a fresh, crunchy base that holds everything together.
1 cup grape tomatoes: They burst with juicy sweetness and brighten up the salad beautifully.
½ cup cheese, cubed: Go for something creamy and bold, like sharp cheddar or blue cheese, for extra punch.
1 ripe avocado: Sliced into bite-sized pieces, avocado enriches every forkful with its buttery texture.
⅔ cup olive oil: Essential for your tangy, glossy homemade vinaigrette.
¼ cup red wine vinegar: This gives the dressing bright acidity and zip.
1 Tbsp dijon mustard: Adds a subtle, savory bite and helps the dressing emulsify.
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce: Just enough to add a umami depth to your vinaigrette.
1 garlic clove, minced: This brings a fragrant, savory base note to your salad dressing.
½ lemon, juiced: A squeeze of fresh lemon lifts the flavors and keeps things vibrant.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasoning to balance and enhance all the other ingredients.

How to Make Cobb Salad Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Proteins

Start by making sure your hard boiled eggs, bacon, and chicken breast are cooked and cooled. This step is perfect for doing ahead of time! Slice the eggs thin for that classic Cobb look, chop the bacon into small pieces for even distribution, and dice the chicken breast into bite-size chunks. Keep these ready in the fridge until you’re assembling your salad.

Step 2: Veggie Prep

Wash and roughly chop the lettuce, giving it a good dry so you don’t end up with soggy greens. Slice those grape tomatoes in half or leave them whole for juicy bursts, cube your favorite cheese, and cut the avocado into generous bite-sized pieces. Arrange all the veggies on a large plate or bowl, setting the stage for the rest of the toppings.

Step 3: Whip Up the Dressing

Grab a mason jar or any jar with a tight lid. Add in the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Seal the lid, and give it a good, vigorous shake until everything’s beautifully blended and slightly thickened. This dressing makes the whole Cobb Salad Recipe sing with zesty, savory flavor.

Step 4: Assemble and Finish

On your bed of greens, start creating those iconic rows: neatly layer the chicken, cheese, tomatoes, slice eggs, avocado, and bacon across the top. Right before serving, pour the dressing generously over the salad. It’s ready to serve—just grab a fork and dive in!

How to Serve Cobb Salad Recipe

Garnishes

Give your Cobb Salad even more flair by sprinkling on some extra chopped chives, a crack of black pepper, or a few pinches of crumbled blue cheese. Chopped fresh parsley also brings a fresh, herby note that really makes the flavors pop.

Side Dishes

Since this Cobb Salad Recipe is so satisfying on its own, you can keep sides light and simple. Think sliced baguette, homemade breadsticks, or a bowl of soup. If you want something even lighter, pair it with chilled fruit or a sparkling lemonade for a refreshing touch.

Creative Ways to Present

To make your Cobb Salad Recipe the star of the show at any gathering, serve it on a big platter with the rows of toppings artfully arranged. For lunchboxes or picnics, pack individual salads in mason jars or bowls so everyone gets a vibrant, personal portion. Even in small bowls or cups, mini Cobb Salads look adorable and elegant for parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cobb Salad leftovers actually keep surprisingly well if you keep the dressing separate. Store any undressed salad and toppings in airtight containers in the fridge. Just make sure the avocado and eggs are covered, as they can dry out quickly.

Freezing

It’s best to avoid freezing your Cobb Salad Recipe, since ingredients like lettuce and avocado don’t freeze and thaw well—they’ll lose their crispness and turn mushy. However, cooked chicken breast and even bacon can be frozen ahead and thawed as needed for future salads.

Reheating

No reheating necessary! This salad tastes best cold, straight from the fridge. If you’re using pre-cooked chicken or bacon that’s been refrigerated, you can serve it chilled or let it rest at room temperature for a few minutes before assembling your salad.

FAQs

Can I use a different protein in my Cobb Salad Recipe?

Definitely! Grilled shrimp, turkey, leftover steak, or even roasted chickpeas all work as fantastic variations if you want to switch up the flavor or make the salad vegetarian.

What’s the best cheese to use?

Classic Cobb Salads use blue cheese, but you can use sharp cheddar, feta, or even goat cheese depending on your preferences. Go for bold, creamy flavors that offer a nice contrast to the other ingredients.

How far ahead can I prep Cobb Salad Recipe?

You can cook all the proteins and chop most ingredients up to two days in advance. Just be sure to slice the avocado and assemble the salad right before serving to keep everything tasting fresh and vibrant.

Is store-bought dressing okay?

Of course! Homemade dressing is wonderfully zingy, but if you’re short on time, your favorite bottled vinaigrette or ranch will work in a pinch. The main thing is to use something you love.

Can Cobb Salad Recipe be made vegetarian or vegan?

Absolutely. Just swap out the chicken and bacon for plant-based proteins like tofu or tempeh, and pick your favorite vegan cheese. The key is to keep the layers and variety for that classic Cobb experience.

Final Thoughts

This Cobb Salad Recipe is one of those crowd-pleasing classics that never goes out of style—fresh, filling, and always gorgeous on a plate. Give it a try and watch it become the star of your next lunch or dinner gathering!