Perfectly Balanced Cobb Salad: A Delicious and Satisfying Meal for Any Occasion

July 3, 2024

Cobb Salad Has a Great Assortment of Foods That Make for a Full Meal Deal

When you’re looking for a meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious, a Cobb salad is a wonderful choice. Recently, I had some friends over for lunch, and I wanted to serve something that was easy to prepare ahead of time but still felt special. A Cobb salad was the perfect solution. I spent the morning prepping the ingredients—cooking the chicken, chopping the vegetables, and hard-boiling the eggs. By the time my friends arrived, everything was ready to go.

We gathered around the kitchen counter, and as we chatted, I started assembling the salads on each plate. It was a fun, interactive way to bring everyone together, and the vibrant colors of the fresh vegetables made the salads look as delicious as they tasted. The combination of flavors—from the creamy avocado to the crisp greens and juicy tomatoes—made for a truly satisfying meal. Best of all, I could enjoy the time with my friends without feeling tied to the kitchen.

Did You Know?

Avocado: Packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and essential vitamins like Vitamin K, E, and C, avocado is a superfood that adds creaminess and nutritional value to our Healthy Cobb Salad. Including avocado in your diet can support heart health, improve digestion, and provide a rich source of antioxidants.

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:

Salad:

6 cups mixed greens (such as romaine, spinach, and arugula)
2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
4 radishes, thinly sliced
1 large avocado, diced
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
4 cooked bacon strips (optional)

Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare Salad: On serving plates, arrange the mixed greens, cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, avocado, red onion, cucumber, hard-boiled eggs, blue cheese (if using), and cooked bacon.
Personal Tip: To keep the avocado from browning, dice it just before serving or toss it lightly with lemon juice.

Make Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Personal Tip: Taste the vinaigrette and adjust the seasoning to your preference. You can add a little more honey for sweetness or extra mustard for a tangy kick.

Toss Salad: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad.
Personal Tip: For a more even distribution of dressing, consider tossing the salad in a large bowl before plating.

Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy!
Personal Tip: This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare all the ingredients ahead of time and assemble just before serving for a quick and easy meal.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

Kitchen Tips, Great Ideas, How to Save Money

Use Leftover Chicken: Save money and reduce waste by using leftover cooked chicken breast from previous meals. Dice it up and add it to your Cobb Salad for a quick and easy protein boost.
Make Your Own Vinaigrette: Homemade vinaigrette is not only more affordable but also healthier than store-bought versions, which can contain preservatives and added sugars. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey for a simple, tasty dressing.
Seasonal Produce: Buy vegetables like tomatoes, cucumber, and greens when they are in season to get the best prices and freshest produce. Seasonal veggies are often more flavorful and nutrient-dense.
Turkey Bacon Alternative: Use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon to reduce saturated fat and calories. Turkey bacon provides the same crispy texture and smoky flavor with less fat and cholesterol.
Bulk Hard-Boiling Eggs: Hard-boil a batch of eggs at the beginning of the week and store them in the refrigerator. This saves time and makes it easy to add a quick protein source to salads, snacks, or breakfasts.
Avoid Pre-Packaged Greens: Buy whole heads of lettuce or bulk greens instead of pre-packaged salad mixes. Whole greens are often cheaper and stay fresh longer when stored properly.
Reuse Avocado Pits: Don’t toss those avocado pits! Place them in water to grow your own avocado plant at home. It’s a fun and educational way to reduce waste and potentially grow your own avocados.
DIY Crumbled Cheese: Purchase a block of cheese and crumble it yourself. It’s more cost-effective and ensures you get the freshest product without any added anti-caking agents.
Multi-Purpose Dressing: Use the homemade vinaigrette for more than just salads. It can double as a marinade for chicken or a dipping sauce for vegetables, making it a versatile and economical kitchen staple.
Batch Prep Salads: Prepare large batches of salad components and store them separately in the refrigerator. This allows you to quickly assemble fresh salads throughout the week, saving time and ensuring you always have a healthy meal option ready to go.

Let’s Learn About Bacon

Bacon is often a staple in many households, but not all bacon is created equal. Traditional bacon is made from pork belly and is cured with nitrates and sometimes sugar. The nitrates help preserve the bacon and give it its characteristic flavor, but they have been linked to certain health concerns, such as an increased risk of cancer when consumed in large amounts.

Healthier options are available, such as nitrate-free bacon, which uses natural preservatives like celery juice. Turkey bacon is another alternative that is lower in fat and calories, though some find it less flavorful than pork bacon. When choosing bacon, look for brands that are free from added sugars and artificial ingredients, and opt for organic or pasture-raised varieties when possible. These choices not only reduce your intake of harmful chemicals but also support more humane farming practices.

Back to blog