Zesty Chopped Romaine Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

Chopped romaine salad brings crisp, vibrant textures to any meal with its refreshing green crunch.

The classic combination of leafy greens and tangy ingredients changes an ordinary side dish into a memorable culinary experience.

Robust and nutritious, this salad offers a delightful balance of flavors that dance across your palate.

blue cheese adds a bold, creamy dimension that elevates the entire dish beyond simple vegetables.

Hearty and satisfying, the salad provides a perfect blend of freshness and richness that complements multiple main courses.

Light yet substantial, these greens deliver a delightful crunch that makes every bite interesting and enjoyable.

Mixing the ingredients carefully ensures a harmonious blend of textures and tastes you won’t want to miss.

Why Blue Cheese and Romaine Just Work

• Crunch-Packed Texture Adventure: Homemade croutons and grilled corn deliver an irresistible crispy experience that transforms this salad from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Quick and Effortless Preparation: With simple steps like toasting bread cubes and charring corn, this recipe comes together in under 20 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous lunch cravings.
• Flavor Explosion Technique: Broiling corn and seasoning with garlic salt creates deep, caramelized notes that complement the tangy blue cheese dressing, resulting in a complex taste profile that keeps every bite interesting.
• Restaurant-Quality Presentation: By layering fresh romaine, charred corn, juicy cherry tomatoes, and golden croutons, this salad looks professionally crafted while being incredibly easy to assemble at home.

Ingredients in This Bold, Crunchy Salad

• Romaine Lettuce: Fresh, crisp green lettuce that forms the foundation of the salad, providing a crunchy texture and light base.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Sweet and vibrant small tomatoes that add bright color and juicy burst of flavor.

• Blue Cheese: Sharp and tangy cheese that delivers a bold, creamy dressing with distinctive flavor profile.
• Blue Cheese Dressing: Chunky and rich dressing that coats the lettuce with intense, creamy blue cheese taste.

• Bread Cubes, Italian Seasoning: Homemade croutons with herbal Mediterranean seasoning for added texture and aromatic flavor.
• Olive Oil: High-quality oil used for toasting croutons and grilling corn, providing richness and helping ingredients brown.
• Garlic Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste and provide subtle background warmth.
• Corn: Sweet summer corn with charred spots, adding smoky sweetness and additional textural element.
• Salt: Basic seasoning to adjust and balance final taste of the salad.

How to Toss Romaine Salad Like a Pro

Step 1: Prepare Crunchy Croutons

Preheat oven to 400°F

Line baking sheet with aluminum foil

Lightly coat foil with olive oil

• Bread cubes
• Olive oil
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic salt
• Black pepper

Spread bread mixture in single layer

Bake for 10 minutes, stirring halfway

Remove and cool completely

Step 2: Roast Sweet Corn Kernels

Cut corn kernels off cob

Toss kernels with olive oil

Spread on baking sheet

Broil for 3 minutes until sizzling

Optional: Use kitchen torch for extra char

Season with salt and pepper

Step 3: Assemble Fresh Romaine Base

Thoroughly wash romaine lettuce

Spin dry lettuce leaves

Transfer to large mixing bowl

Drizzle with blue cheese dressing

Gently toss until evenly coated

Step 4: Create Colorful Salad Topping

Sprinkle roasted corn kernels

Add halved cherry tomatoes

Scatter homemade croutons

Drizzle additional blue cheese dressing

Step 5: Serve Immediately

Divide salad into individual serving bowls

Enjoy fresh and crisp

Tips for Crisp Lettuce and Balanced Dressing

• Crisp Crouton Creation: Ensure bread cubes are similar in size for even toasting, preventing burnt edges and undercooked centers.
• Corn Charring Technique: Watch corn closely while broiling or grilling to achieve perfect caramelization without burning.
• Lettuce Preparation Perfection: Thoroughly dry romaine after washing to prevent watery dressing and maintain crisp texture.
• Dressing Distribution Trick: Use a large bowl when tossing salad to coat ingredients evenly without crushing delicate lettuce leaves.
• Temperature Timing: Serve salad immediately after assembling to enjoy crisp croutons and warm, charred corn at their peak freshness.

Best Way to Keep Your Salad Fresh & Crunchy

• Refrigeration: Store salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain crispness. Keep croutons, corn, and lettuce in different containers for up to 3 days.
• Dressing Storage: Seal blue cheese dressing in a sealed jar or container in the refrigerator for maximum 5 days. Always use clean utensils when handling.
• Reheating Corn: Quickly warm corn kernels in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes or microwave in short 15-second bursts to prevent overcooking.

Dishes and Drinks to Serve with Romaine Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complement the tangy blue cheese and fresh romaine, cutting through the richness while enhancing the salad's bright flavors.
• Match with Craft Beer: A hoppy IPA or wheat beer provides a zesty contrast to the creamy blue cheese dressing, while its carbonation refreshes the palate between bites of charred corn and crisp croutons.
• Serve with Light Protein: Grilled chicken breast or seared shrimp add protein and balance the salad's bold flavors, creating a more substantial meal without overwhelming the delicate romaine and blue cheese notes.
• Complement with Chilled Rosé: A dry rosé wine brings out the salad's summery elements, matching the charred corn's smoky essence while providing a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy blue cheese dressing.

New Ideas for Chopped Romaine Combos

• Southwestern Zest: Replace blue cheese dressing with spicy chipotle ranch and add black beans, diced avocado, and crispy jalapeño strips for a bold Mexican-inspired version.
• Mediterranean Herb Garden: Swap romaine for mixed greens, use feta cheese instead of blue cheese, incorporate roasted red peppers, cucumber, and dress with lemon-oregano vinaigrette for a Greek-style approach.
• Protein Power Bowl: Transform the salad by adding grilled chicken or shrimp, quinoa, and swap croutons for toasted pumpkin seeds to create a more substantial meal with extra protein.
• Summer Garden Fresh: Introduce seasonal vegetables like roasted zucchini, yellow squash, and swap blue cheese for goat cheese to highlight summer's garden-fresh produce and create a lighter, vegetable-forward salad.

Chopped Romaine Salad with Blue Cheese Recipe

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4.7 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired chopped romaine salad sparkles with tangy blue cheese crumbles and crisp vegetable medley. Fresh ingredients blend harmoniously, creating a zesty dish you’ll crave for light lunches or elegant side accompaniments.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Vegetables:

• 2 ears fresh corn (about 1 cup of kernels)
• 2 hearts of romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered if large

Seasoning and Dressing:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• ⅓ cup Marie’s® Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft golden, crispy croutons by coating bread cubes with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper, then bake on a foil-lined sheet at 400°F until perfectly golden and crunchy, approximately 10 minutes.
2. Prepare corn by either char-grilling on the cob or broiling kernels until they develop a smoky, caramelized exterior, seasoning with salt and pepper for enhanced flavor.
3. Thoroughly cleanse romaine lettuce, spinning dry to remove excess moisture, ensuring a crisp and fresh base for the salad.
4. Generously coat the lettuce with robust blue cheese dressing, ensuring each leaf is lavishly covered with creamy, tangy goodness.
5. Transfer dressed lettuce into individual serving vessels, creating an inviting presentation.
6. Adorn the salad with vibrant roasted corn kernels, juicy cherry tomatoes, and the freshly baked homemade croutons for textural contrast and visual appeal.
7. Serve the salad immediately to maintain the crispness of the croutons and the optimal temperature of the ingredients.

Notes

• Crouton Creation: Crisp homemade croutons elevate this salad from ordinary to extraordinary, adding delightful crunch and robust flavor with minimal effort.
• Corn Cooking Hack: Broiling or grilling corn intensifies its natural sweetness, creating smoky charred spots that provide exciting texture and depth.
• Cheese Dressing Magic: Chunky blue cheese dressing coats romaine lettuce completely, ensuring every bite bursts with tangy, creamy goodness.
• Temperature Timing: Serve immediately after assembling to maintain crisp croutons and vibrant corn temperature, preventing soggy ingredients.
• Seasonal Flexibility: Easily swap ingredients based on availability, making this recipe adaptable for year-round enjoyment with fresh market produce.
• Quick Preparation: Total cooking time under 20 minutes makes this salad perfect for busy weeknight dinners or spontaneous gatherings.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 10mg