Skip to main content

Lighter Cobb Salad

WHY IT’S LIGHT How do you trim the fat and calories from a beloved salad? Scale back on the bacon, use only the whites of hard-cooked eggs, and make the dressing with low-fat buttermilk and light mayonnaise. Then, fold a modest amount of blue cheese into the dressing, instead of crumbling it over the salad.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

4 large eggs
3 slices bacon (3 ounces)
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (2 ounces)
Coarse salt
2 heads Boston lettuce (about 1 pound total), torn into bite-size pieces
6 ounces deli turkey, diced
4 plum tomatoes, halved, seeded, and diced
1 avocado, halved lengthwise, pitted, peeled, and diced

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place eggs in a medium saucepan; add cold water to cover by 1 inch, and bring to a boil. Cover pan; remove from heat. Let stand 12 minutes, then drain and rinse under cool water. Let cool completely. (Unpeeled eggs can be refrigerated up to 4 days.) Peel under running water. Separate yolks and reserve for another use. Cut egg whites into 1/2-inch pieces.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat, turning occasionally, until crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Break into bite-size pieces.

    Step 3

    In a medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, mayonnaise, and vinegar. Gently fold in blue cheese; season dressing with salt.

    Step 4

    Place lettuce in a large bowl; arrange egg whites, bacon, turkey, tomatoes, and avocado on top. Serve salad with dressing alongside.

  2. nutrition information

    Step 5

    (Per Serving)

    Step 6

    Calories: 295

    Step 7

    Fat: 18.8g (5.6g Saturated Fat)

    Step 8

    Protein: 19.5g

    Step 9

    Carbohydrates: 14.3g

    Step 10

    Fiber: 4.6g

Everyday Food: Light
Read More
Like carrot farro salad and chicken paella.
Like miso-peanut hibachi chicken and spring orzotto.
A crowd-friendly, crisp-edged chicken and vegetable rice from chef José Andrés.
The magic of this hibachi chicken recipe comes from a combination of miso and peanut butter and how it beautifully caramelizes when it hits the grill.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Chicken breasts reach their full potential in this spicy, saucy stir-fry with blistered green beans.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.