Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (2024)

Published January 15, 2021.This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

If you are a big salad fan and are looking for a delicious vinaigrette dressing, then this easy to make cobb salad dressing recipe is the perfect option.

We absolutely love leafy green salads, and while this dressing is a classic cobb salad dressing recipe, it would excellent on just about any salad such as my Shave Brussels Sprout Salad or Green Goddess.

Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (1)

Cobb Salad Dressing

Cobb salad dressing is a basic vinaigrette with hints of mustard and lemon juice. It is very easy to make and most often calls to be made in a blender or food processor but can absolutely be made in a bowl using a whisk.

This dressing was made along with the original cobb salad by Bob Cobb who was the owner of the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, California in the 1930s. While this vinaigrette was created specifically for the traditional cobb salad, you could use it on any greens salad you want.

Ingredients and Variations

There are a core group of ingredients for this recipe but there are also some variations and things you could swap out, or even add. Here are the basics:

  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Mustard
  • Oil
  • Lemon Juice
  • Garlic
  • Worcestershire Sauce

The items that can be interchanged and or swapped out are the mustard. Here’s what you can do:

  • Dry Mustard <-> Dijon, Whole Grain, or English Mustard
  • Oil <-> Olive, Canola, Vegetable, or Safflower

Things you can add to this recipe to further enhance are:

  • Chopped Shallots
  • Parsley
  • Thyme
  • Oregano
  • Sugar
  • Honey

How to Make It

Follow these simple instructions for how to make a tasty cobb salad dressing:

Add all of the ingredients to a blender or food processor

Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (2)

Pulse on high speed until the dressing is combined and emulsified and serve

Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (3)

Recipe Chef Notes + Tips

Make-Ahead: You can make this dressing up to 3-4 days ahead of time. Keep in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it and pull out to room temperature, whisk to re-emulsify, and sit for 1 hour before serving.

How to Store: Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

If you do not have a food processor or blender, combine all of the ingredients except for the oil. Slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to whisk until the dressing becomes emulsified.

Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (4)

More Salad Dressing Recipes

  • Balsamic Vinaigrette
  • Caesar Dressing

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Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (5)

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Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe

Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (6)

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5 from 7 votes

If you're a big salad fan and are looking for a delicious vinaigrette dressing, then this cobb salad dressing recipe is the perfect option.

Servings: 10

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • juice of ½ lemon
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 ½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2/3 cup salad oil
  • sea salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients to a blender and pulse at high speed until the dressing is combined and emulsified.

  • Serve or store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Chef Notes:

  • Make-Ahead: You can make this dressing up to 3-4 days ahead of time. Keep in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it and pull out to room temperature, whisk to re-emulsify, and sit for 1 hour before serving.
  • How to Store: Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
  • If you do not have a food processor or blender, combine all of the ingredients except for the oil. Slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to whisk until the dressing becomes emulsified.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 38mgPotassium: 10mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 1mg

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Author: Chef Billy Parisi

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17 comments

    • Cynthia R Syverson
    • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (7)

    Second time I have made this. It is such a classic taste.

    • Reply
    • Janie
    • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (8)

    Awesome dressing – loved the addition of Worcestershire – I use this on all salads now.

    • Reply
    • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (9)

        amazing!

        • Reply
      • Susan
      • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (10)

      A winner! Made this morning and serving it tonight over a traditional Cobb salad. Looking forward to trying other BP recipes.

      • Reply
      • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (12)

          Perfection!

          • Reply
        • Cathie Zimmerer
        • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (13)

        Delicious and on hand ingredients

        • Reply
        • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (14)

            Perfect!

            • Reply
          • Rose
          • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (15)

          Very good vinaigrette dressing. Its a keeper for sure!

          • Reply
          • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (16)

              Great!

              • Reply
            • Lisa

            Omitted the water and salad oil and it was delicious.

            • Reply
            • Amy

            What is considered a salad oil?

            • Reply
            • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (17)

                canola, grapeseed, and safflower are my choices.

                • Reply
                  • Deb

                  Can you use all olive oil and omit the salad oil

                  • Reply
              • Jo Ann Traver

              What is the serving size? 212 calories????

              • Reply
              • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (18)

                  4 tbsp

                  • Reply
                • Rehab
                • Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (19)

                So good!!

                • Reply
              Classic Cobb Salad Dressing Recipe (2024)

              FAQs

              What is Cobb salad dressing made of? ›

              The dressing:

              For the dressing, we included a quick recipe for a simple vinaigrette made from red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper. There's no need to stress over the vinaigrette emulsifying—shaking together in the mason jar does all the hard work.

              What is the formula for salad dressing? ›

              Vinaigrettes, or vinegar-based dressings, are almost always made in a ratio of 1 part acid to 3 or, for less astringent flavor, 4 parts oil. ACID: Traditionally, vinaigrettes are made with vinegar, often one derived from wine.

              What makes a Cobb salad different? ›

              Namely, what makes this salad so special is the fact that, aside from tomatoes, salad greens, and other veggies, it also features the likes of avocado, Roquefort cheese, hard-boiled eggs as well as crisp bacon and chicken, be it grilled, roasted, or boiled.

              What are the 3 categories of salad dressing explain each? ›

              In Western culture, there are three basic types of salad dressing: Vinaigrette; Creamy dressings, usually based on mayonnaise or fermented milk products, such as yogurt, sour cream (crème fraîche, smetana), buttermilk; Cooked dressings, which resemble creamy dressings, but are usually thickened by adding egg yolks and ...

              Why is Cobb salad good for you? ›

              Cobb salad is loaded with protein and nutrient-packed toppings and healthy calories. Yes, it's also ok to put a little bacon in a salad. It is balanced with a light dressing and loading with vegetables, like this mouth-watering BLT Chopped Salad.

              What salad did Jennifer Aniston eat? ›

              The salad Jen ate on the set of Friends was a Cobb Salad, while this salad is a riff on a tabbouleh.

              What is the best vinegar for salad dressing? ›

              White wine vinegar

              This vinegar has a much mellower flavor than red wine vinegar and lacks the sharp tang of its sister vinegar. White wine vinegar is best used with more delicate salads and any situation where you want to add a hint of vinegar, but do not want that flavor to overwhelm the dish.

              What primary ingredient is used in most salad dressing? ›

              "Oil, acid, Dijon mustard and sugar are the key components to a delicious salad dressing," says Chatelaine food content director Irene Ngo. Oil and an acid (vinegar or citrus) make up a large component of the dressing, while Dijon helps to emulsify it.

              What are the two main ingredients of most standard salad dressings? ›

              However, classic vinaigrette dressings are based on a ratio of three parts oil to one part white wine vinegar, with added flavorings to complement the salads or dishes in which they are being used.

              Why is Cobb Salad called Cobb? ›

              The invention of the Cobb Salad is generally attributed to Robert Howard Cobb who co-owned The Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles. The year was 1937. The story goes that Cobb created the first Cobb Salad at the end of a long day after realizing he hadn't eaten for awhile.

              What is Cobb in Cobb Salad? ›

              The Cobb salad was born in the wee hours of a Hollywood, California, morning in 1937 at the Brown Derby restaurant. The owner, Bob Cobb, was ruffling through the kitchen's refrigerator, pulling out various remnants including lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, cheese, tomatoes, chives and avocado.

              What wine goes best with Cobb Salad? ›

              Once tossed together these simple ingredients become a sensational salad that has truly become a California legend! This recipe for Cobb Salad pairs perfectly with California Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc.

              What is the most requested salad dressing? ›

              Ranch Dressing

              The ranch is hands down America's most beloved salad dressings. It is made from a number of ingredients such as buttermilk, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, onion, chives, salt, and pepper.

              What is the oldest salad dressing? ›

              The Babylonians used oil and vinegar for dressing greens nearly 2,000 years ago. Egyptians favored a salad dressed with oil, vinegar and Asian spices. Mayonnaise is said to have made its debut at a French Nobleman's table over 200 years ago.

              Why does Cobb salad have so many calories? ›

              Cobb salad: This salad sometimes contains grilled instead of fried chicken, putting you on the proper path, right? Wrong. Let's talk blue cheese, bacon, whole eggs, avocado and creamy dressing. It all adds up to hundreds of calories and a high amount of saturated fat.

              What is the most common dressing used in bound salads? ›

              Bound salads are probably not the healthiest option in the land of salads, but they are so delicious! The reason they are a less-healthy option is that the binding agents are typically mayonnaise-based. Some of the most popular bound salads are egg and tuna.

              What is balsamic salad dressing made of? ›

              Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients

              Balsamic vinegar: Of course, you'll need balsamic vinegar. Honey: A teaspoon of honey lends subtle sweetness. Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard adds complex, bold flavor. Shallot and garlic: You'll need to mince a clove of garlic and a shallot.

              Why is Miracle Whip called salad dressing? ›

              Today, commercially, anything labeled “mayonnaise” must be comprised of 65% vegetable oil by weight. The added water and other elements in Miracle Whip take that oil content down, meaning it can't be classified as mayonnaise and must instead be labeled “dressing”.

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