Crisp, compact, and utterly refreshing, Little Gems with Blue Cheese Dressing is a vibrant salad that shines with bold flavors and effortless elegance. Tender Little Gem lettuces are the star, halved or left whole to showcase their natural beauty, then drizzled generously with a creamy, tangy blue cheese dressing made from scratch. The dressing, a luscious blend of crumbled blue cheese, sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, and a hint of lemon juice, is perfectly balanced with garlic and freshly ground black pepper. Optional toppings like juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy croutons, and a sprinkle of fresh chives elevate this salad, adding bursts of texture and color. Perfect as a starter, side, or light main, this quick and easy recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, making it a go-to for entertaining or weekday meals. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or craving something fresh and indulgent, this salad is sure to impress.
1. Wash the Little Gem lettuces thoroughly under running water, then pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Cut each head in half lengthwise or leave them whole for presentation.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, crumble the blue cheese into small chunks.
3. Add the sour cream, mayonnaise, and buttermilk to the bowl with the blue cheese. Stir to combine into a creamy mixture.
4. Mix in the lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The dressing should be tangy and slightly sharp from the blue cheese.
5. Arrange the Little Gem lettuces on a large serving platter or individual plates.
6. Drizzle the blue cheese dressing generously over the lettuce halves or whole heads.
7. (Optional) Scatter cherry tomato halves and croutons on top for added texture and flavor.
8. Sprinkle the chopped chives over the top for a fresh, herby finish.
9. Serve immediately as a starter or light main course.
Calories |
1750 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 117.4 g | 151% | |
| Saturated Fat | 42.6 g | 213% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 201 mg | 67% | |
| Sodium | 3718 mg | 162% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 142.3 g | 52% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.8 g | 71% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.2 g | ||
| Protein | 49.5 g | 99% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 1050 mg | 81% | |
| Iron | 8.8 mg | 49% | |
| Potassium | 2410 mg | 51% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.