I absolutely love how easy this delicious Giada Better Wedge Salad is to make. It only needs simple ingredients and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes—perfect for when I’m craving something tangy but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen.

The crunch and the way the buttermilk, olive oil, yogurt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and kosher salt come together are just irresistible. To make it extra special, I like to garnish with extra dill. It’s my go-to side dish when I want to impress without any stress.

Recipe Ingredients

• ¼ cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 small heads romaine lettuce
• ½ cup smoked almonds, chopped
• ⅓ cup crumbled Gorgonzola dolce

How To Make Giada Better Wedge Salad

Prepare the Dressing

1. Mix the Magic: In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, olive oil, yogurt, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt until smooth. Stir in the chopped dill.
2. Chill Out: Refrigerate the dressing for at least 1 hour to let the flavors become BFFs.

Grill the Lettuce

1. Heat Things Up: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Yes, it’s time to get that smoky flavor!
2. Grill the Lettuce: Place the romaine lettuce wedges on the grill pan and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until slightly browned and wilted.

Assemble the Salad

1. Bring it all Together: Place the grilled lettuce wedges on a platter, dollop the dressing around them, and scatter the smoked almonds and crumbled Gorgonzola over the top. Sounds like a party to me!

Recipe Tips

• Twist with Seasonal Fruits: During the summer months, incorporate juicy seasonal fruits such as sliced peaches or stone fruits to add natural sweetness and a pop of color to your Better Wedge Salad, creating a refreshing twist that pairs perfectly with crunchy iceberg lettuce and savory dressing.
• Elevate the Protein: Add sliced or diced grilled chicken, salmon, or pan-seared bacon bits to give your Better Wedge Salad a satisfying protein boost, making it a complete and satisfying meal that’s perfect for special occasions or weeknight dinners.
• The Perfect Croutons: For croutons that perfectly complement the salad’s flavors and textures, use rustic bread, cut it into 1-inch cubes, toss with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and bake in the oven until golden and crispy, making the perfect crunchy topping for your Better Wedge Salad.
• Dressing Variation: Experiment with different flavors and ingredients to create unique variations of the Better Wedge Salad dressing, such as adding a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness, a minced garlic clove for depth, or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for tanginess, each of which adds a new dimension to the classic recipe.
• Make it a Main Course: Turn your Better Wedge Salad into a satisfying main course by adding some heftier ingredients, such as diced cooked potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, or roasted root vegetables, which add fiber, texture, and flavor, making this salad a filling and nutritious meal option.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

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• Giada Quinoa And Sweet Potato Stew-Ish
• Giada De Laurentiis Cherry Tomato Spaghetti