Classic Cobb Salad with Roquefort Vinaigrette and Avocado Bliss

The Cobb Salad is a timeless American icon—a deliciously composed bowl of textures and flavors born in Hollywood’s golden age. Packed with crisp lettuce, poached chicken, avocado, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs, this salad is the perfect harmony of fresh and savory.

Topped off with a tangy Roquefort vinaigrette, this dish transforms any lunch into a five-star experience. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or creating an elegant dinner starter, the Cobb Salad always rises to the occasion with elegance and ease.

Full Recipe:

• 6 slices bacon

• 1/2 head romaine lettuce

• 1/2 head Boston lettuce

• 1 small bunch frisée (curly endive)

• 1/2 bunch watercress, coarse stems discarded

• 2 ripe avocados, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces

• 1 whole skinless boneless chicken breast (about 3/4 pound), poached and diced

• 1 tomato, seeded and finely chopped

• 2 hard-boiled large eggs, yolks and whites chopped separately

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

• 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar (to taste)

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 cup finely grated Roquefort cheese

Directions:

1. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towels, then crumble once cooled.

2. Rinse and dry all lettuces. Coarsely chop the romaine, Boston, frisée, and watercress, then toss them in a large bowl.

3. Neatly arrange diced chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped tomato, and avocado pieces over the greens.

4. Sprinkle chopped egg yolks, whites, and chives as garnish.

5. For the vinaigrette, whisk together red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl.

6. Slowly stream in olive oil while whisking to emulsify. Add Roquefort cheese and sugar to taste.

7. Serve vinaigrette on the side or toss with the salad before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 803 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

A Legacy on a Plate: The Origins of Cobb Salad

The Cobb Salad is more than just a mixture of chopped greens and proteins—it’s a slice of American culinary history. Born in 1937 at the famous Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, California, this salad was the accidental brainchild of restaurant owner Robert Cobb. According to popular lore, Cobb raided his refrigerator late one night and created a tossed-together meal for himself and a hungry friend—Sid Grauman, of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

What began as an impromptu midnight snack quickly gained fame among Hollywood stars. Within days, it became a menu staple, drawing celebrities and everyday diners alike. The Brown Derby may have faded into history, but its namesake salad remains a symbol of golden-era glamour and hearty, satisfying dining.

The Art of Composition: What Makes a Cobb Salad Unique

Unlike tossed salads, the Cobb is all about presentation and balance. Each component is carefully chopped and laid out in colorful rows atop a crisp bed of mixed greens. The visual appeal is part of its charm—making it Instagram-worthy long before social media existed. But aesthetics aside, what truly defines a Cobb Salad is its layered combination of textures and flavors.

The traditional Cobb features bacon, chicken breast, avocado, tomato, hard-boiled eggs, chives, and Roquefort cheese, all resting on a foundation of fresh lettuces—usually a blend of romaine, Boston, frisée, and watercress. The variety creates a medley of crunchy, creamy, tangy, and savory elements in every bite.

Then comes the dressing—an equally essential part. A red wine vinaigrette, emulsified with Dijon mustard and olive oil, and blended with Roquefort cheese, ties everything together. It adds just the right tang and richness to complement the heartier ingredients.

Nutritional Highlights and Dietary Flexibility

One reason the Cobb Salad remains a favorite in both restaurants and home kitchens is its excellent nutritional profile. It’s high in protein, thanks to the chicken, eggs, and bacon, and includes healthy fats from avocado and olive oil. The combination of vegetables brings fiber, antioxidants, and a variety of vitamins to the table. It’s a low-carb, gluten-free option that can easily be adapted for specific dietary needs.

For instance:

• Keto-friendly eaters can simply reduce or eliminate the tomatoes and sugar in the dressing.

• Vegetarians may skip the bacon and chicken, or substitute with plant-based proteins like grilled tofu or tempeh.

• Dairy-free options include leaving out the Roquefort or replacing it with a vegan cheese.

The Cobb Salad isn’t just filling; it’s also one of the few meals that offers balanced macros without feeling like a compromise.

Cobb Salad in Modern Kitchens: Meal Prep Champion

While rooted in retro Hollywood, the Cobb Salad is incredibly relevant today—especially for those seeking healthy meal prep ideas. It stores well when prepared in advance, especially if you keep the dressing separate until serving time.

You can prepare all the components ahead:

• Cook and chop the bacon and chicken.

• Hard-boil the eggs.

• Wash and dry the greens.

• Dice the avocado just before serving (to avoid browning) or toss it in a bit of lemon juice.

Stored properly, the components can last 3–5 days in the fridge, making Cobb Salad a go-to for weekly lunches or quick dinners. Its versatility also allows for improvisation, meaning you can swap ingredients based on what’s in your fridge.

Flavor Tips: Elevating Your Cobb Salad

Even a classic dish can be taken up a notch with a few chef-approved techniques:

• Use freshly poached or grilled chicken. It adds more flavor and moisture than plain boiled meat. Season it lightly with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or garlic powder.

• Crispy bacon is key. Cook the bacon until it’s just shy of overdone—this gives a satisfying crunch that complements the creamy ingredients like avocado and egg yolk.

• Choose ripe avocados. Creaminess matters here. Slightly soft (but not mushy) avocados provide a buttery contrast to the crisp lettuce and salty bacon.

• Roquefort or bust. While blue cheese might be substituted, Roquefort gives the vinaigrette its iconic tang. Crumble it finely for an even distribution in the dressing.

• Chill your salad plates. This is a restaurant trick that keeps your greens crisp and adds a refreshing touch to the overall eating experience.

Cultural Impact: The Cobb Salad in American Cuisine

The Cobb Salad’s presence isn’t just limited to diners or upscale restaurants. It has become a staple in airline menus, lunch spots, upscale brunches, and even corporate cafeterias. Its adaptability to different ingredients and presentation styles has kept it popular across generations and dietary trends.

In many ways, the Cobb Salad symbolizes the fusion of convenience and sophistication. While it was born out of leftovers, it has transcended its humble origins to become an emblem of smart, satisfying cuisine.

Its visual design has also influenced how other salads are created. Today’s grain bowls, poke bowls, and even deconstructed dishes owe a nod to Cobb Salad’s row-style layout and balanced nutrition-first ethos.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Cobb Salad is often served as a standalone dish, and rightfully so—it’s hearty and complete. But if you’re aiming to turn it into a more elegant dinner or brunch course, consider these pairings:

• A crusty slice of sourdough or garlic bread

• A glass of chilled white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay

• Light soup starters, such as gazpacho or a lemony chicken broth

• Seasonal fruit sides, like a citrus salad or fresh berries

Its rich, tangy profile balances well with lighter, acidic sides and drinks.

Conclusion: Why Cobb Salad Still Reigns Supreme

Over eight decades after its debut, the Cobb Salad continues to thrive—not because of nostalgia, but because it delivers on every front. It’s easy to assemble, incredibly customizable, nutritionally balanced, and visually appealing.

The Cobb Salad’s magic lies in its ability to feel indulgent while remaining wholesome. It caters to almost every dietary preference and manages to look gourmet with very little effort. Whether you’re cooking for one, feeding a family, or hosting brunch, this timeless dish brings a level of class and satisfaction that few salads can match.

So the next time you find yourself standing in front of a fridge with scattered ingredients, remember Robert Cobb’s late-night inspiration. With the right mix, you just might stumble onto a masterpiece that’s lasted nearly a century.