North Woods Inn Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing | CookOS

North Woods Inn Salad

Name: North Woods Inn Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 head iceberg lettuce; 4 slices bacon; 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles; 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup buttermilk; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste

North Woods Inn Salad is a classic steakhouse copycat featuring crisp iceberg lettuce, smoky bacon, and homemade creamy blue cheese dressing. This simple salad delivers restaurant flavor with just a handful of pantry ingredients.

🍴Copycat

🌍American 🏷️North woods inn salad 🏷️Steakhouse salad 🏷️Blue cheese salad 🏷️Bacon

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🏷️Iceberg lettuce

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Total

15 min

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$16–$26

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by daniela_dish

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Ingredients

1 head iceberg lettuce
4 slices bacon
1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste

7 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Chop the head of iceberg lettuce and place it in a large mixing bowl.
2
In a separate, smaller bowl, prepare the dressing by combining blue cheese crumbles, mayonnaise, and buttermilk. Season with salt and pepper to taste and whisk until smooth.
3
Add the cooked and crumbled bacon to the bowl with the lettuce.
4
Pour the blue cheese dressing over the lettuce and bacon.
5
Toss everything together until the lettuce is evenly coated with the dressing.
6
Serve immediately and enjoy.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Chill the iceberg lettuce for 30 minutes before cutting to maximize crispness and prevent wilting.
Cook bacon until fully crispy, then crumble by hand or with two forks for uneven, restaurant-style texture.
Make the dressing while bacon cools so flavors meld; taste and adjust salt and pepper before serving.
Dress the salad only seconds before plating to prevent the lettuce from absorbing dressing and becoming soggy.

Substitutions

Iceberg lettuce → romaine or butter lettuce (slightly different texture but same crunch)
Mayonnaise → Greek yogurt (tangier, lower fat)
Buttermilk → sour cream or milk mixed with lemon juice (adjust thickness as needed)

Storage & make-ahead

Store the dressing separately from the salad in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Assemble the salad fresh to order.

Common Questions

Can I make the blue cheese dressing ahead of time?

Yes. Store the dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Whisk or shake before serving if it separates.

How do I keep the lettuce crisp?

Wash and dry the iceberg lettuce thoroughly, then chill it for at least 30 minutes before serving. Dress the salad just before eating.

Can I substitute blue cheese?

Yes. Gorgonzola, Danish blue, or crumbled feta work as replacements, though they'll shift the flavor profile slightly.

What's the best way to cook the bacon?

Bake it in a 400°F oven for 15–20 minutes until crispy, or fry it in a skillet over medium heat, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels before crumbling.