Top 15 Healthy Cobb Salad Recipes

Cobb salad, an all-American favorite, was created in the 1930s by Robert Howard Cobb, the owner of Brown Derby, the popular Hollywood restaurant. It is typically made of romaine lettuce, watercress, tomatoes, blue cheese, eggs, avocados, chicken breast, bacon, black olives, and red wine vinaigrette. However, this delicious salad can be a nightmare if you are trying to cut down on calories. Because a Cobb salad can give you 1100 calories and 79 grams of saturated fat! But, the good news is, you can still make fresh and flavorful Cobb salad, minus the calories.

Here are 15 healthy Cobb salad recipes that won’t kill the foodie in you.

1. Classic Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes;  Serves: 1

Ingredients

• ¼ cup watercress
• ¼ cup roughly chopped romaine
• 2 sliced boiled eggs
• ¼ sliced avocado
• 4-5 tomato slices
• 2 slices of bacon
• ¼ cup diced chicken breast
• 4 tablespoons grated blue cheese
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper

How To Prepare

1. Mix salt, pepper, and olive oil in a bowl and brush the bacon slices and chicken cubes with the mixture.
2. Place them on a baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated oven.
3. To make the dressing, mix 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon each of Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl and keep it aside.
4. Slice the boiled eggs.
5. Take out the baked bacon and chicken cubes from the oven and slice the bacon.
6. On a rectangular serving plate, place the romaine lettuce and watercress together on one side.
7. Place the chicken cubes, bacon slices, boiled egg slices next to the greens.
8. Place the tomato and avocado slices next.
9. Now, drizzle the dressing all over the ingredients.
10. Finally, top it with grated blue cheese.

 2. Turkey Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 4 minutes;  Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 3 oz turkey lean cut cubes
• 2 strips of bacon
• ½ cup roughly chopped iceberg lettuce
• ½ cup baby spinach
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• ½ cup grated cucumber
• 5 slices of tomato
• 2 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese

 How To Prepare

1. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, salt, and pepper to a bowl and mix well.
2. Add the turkey cubes and bacon strips to the bowl and keep it aside for 5 minutes.
3. Grill the turkey and bacon strips.
4. Meanwhile, blanch the baby spinach.
5. For the dressing, take a bowl and mix yogurt, 3 tablespoons of olive oil, grated cucumber, lemon juice, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper.
6. In a bowl, add the chopped iceberg lettuce and blanched baby spinach.
7. Then, add the grilled bacon and turkey.
8. Place the tomato slices on one side and sprinkle the minced garlic all over.
9. Drizzle the yogurt dressing and toss well.
10. Top it by adding the grated cheddar cheese.

 3. Tofu Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 20 minutes;  Serves: 1

Ingredients

• ½ cup medium sized tofu cubes
• ½ cup chopped celery
• ½ cup roughly chopped rocket spinach
• ¼ cup chopped tomatoes
• ¼ cup yogurt
• 2 tablespoons mint chutney
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• ½ teaspoon ginger paste
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

 How To Prepare

1. In a bowl, mix yogurt, mint chutney, garlic paste, ginger paste, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and salt.
2. Add the tofu cubes to it and mix well. Keep it aside for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, make the dressing by mixing red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, dijon mustard, salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper in a bowl.
4. After 10 minutes, skewer the tofu and grill it in a preheated oven for 7-8 minutes.
5. Take a rectangular serving plate and place the chopped rocket spinach first, then celery, and then, the chopped tomatoes.
6. Place the grilled tofu next to the tomatoes.
7. Finally, drizzle the dressing on top of the veggies and tofu.

 4. Mushroom Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 10 minutes;  Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 1 cup sliced button mushrooms
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 cup watercress
• ½ cup baby spinach
• ½ cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
• ¼ cup boiled sweet corn kernels
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

How To Prepare

1. Add olive oil, a teaspoon of minced garlic, salt, and pepper to the mushrooms and bake it for 2-3 minutes.
2. Make the dressing by mixing 2 tablespoons of olive oil, soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Take the baking tray out and transfer the mushrooms to a bowl. Add the baby spinach to it and toss them together.
4. Layer the serving plate with the mushroom and spinach first, then the red bell pepper slices, watercress, and finally, the sweet corn kernels.
5. Drizzle the dressing on top, and it’s ready to eat!

5. Crab Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 7 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes;  Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 2 tins of crab meat
• 10 tomato slices
• 1 cup roughly chopped lettuce
• ½ cup green bell peppers
• 8 black olives
• 2 tablespoons grated blue cheese
• ½ cup tofu cubes
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• A handful of mint leaves
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

How To Prepare

1. Mix the crab meat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Make small balls of the crab meat and bake them in a preheated oven for 7-8 minutes.
3. Prepare the dressing by mixing yogurt, olive oil, lime juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
4. Drain the excess water from the tofu cubes.
5. Take out the crab meatballs and place them on the side of a rectangular serving plate.
6. Place the chopped lettuce first, then the green bell peppers, tofu cubes, and then, the tomato slices.
7. Drizzle the dressing and throw in the black olives.
8. Finally, top it with grated blue cheese.

6. Tuna Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 6 minutes; Total Cooking Time: 2 minutes; Serves: 1

Ingredients

• ½ cup smoked tuna
• ½ cup baby spinach
• ½ cup roughly chopped iceberg lettuce
• 4-5 halved cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

How To Prepare

1. Make the salad dressing by mixing olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Take a rectangular serving plate and place the smoked tuna first.
3. Next, place the spinach, lettuce, and cherry tomatoes.
4. Drizzle the dressing on top.

7. Grilled Salmon Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 10 minutes;  Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 3 oz salmon
• ¼ cup chopped chives
• 5 tomato slices
• ½ cup roughly chopped kale
• 2 tablespoons grated blue cheese
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

How To Prepare

1. Mix 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of lime juice, 1 teaspoon of garlic, 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Brush this mix on the salmon and grill it for 5 minutes in a preheated oven.
3. In the meanwhile, prepare the salad by mixing olive oil, lime juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Take out the grilled salmon and place on a serving plate.
5. Place the roughly chopped kale on one side of the salmon and tomatoes on the other.
6. Add the chives and grated blue cheese on top.
7. Drizzle the salad dressing on top

8. Paneer Tikka Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes;  Serves – 1

Ingredients

• ½ cup paneer or cottage cheese cubes
• 3 tablespoons yogurt
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
• ½ teaspoon garam masala
• ½ cup blanched spinach
• 4-5 halved cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup boiled sweet corn kernels
• ½ cup roughly chopped romaine
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• ½ teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• Salt to taste
• 1 teaspoon black pepper

How To Prepare

1. To prepare the paneer tikka, mix yogurt, olive oil, cumin powder, coriander powder, garam masala, cayenne pepper, and salt in a bowl. Toss the paneer cubes in and keep it aside for 10 minutes.
2. Prepare the salad dressing by mixing olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, tahini, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Skewer the paneer and halved cherry tomatoes. Grill them in a preheated oven.
4. Take out the grilled paneer and cherry tomatoes and place them on a plate.
5. Add the blanched spinach, romaine, and boiled sweet corn kernels.
6. Drizzle the salad dressing on top, and it’s ready to eat!

 9. Grilled Veggie Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 7-8 minutes;  Serves: 1

Ingredients

• ¼ cup diced carrot
• ¼ cup broccoli
• ¼ cup red bell peppers
• 5-7 asparagus
• ¼ cup diced sweet potato
• ¼ cup cauliflower
• ¼ cup iceberg lettuce
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper

How To Prepare

1. Skewer the veggies and brush olive oil and sprinkle a little salt and pepper on them. Grill the veggies in a preheated oven.
2. Prepare the salad by adding olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, chopped rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the grilled veggies and toss in the iceberg lettuce.
4. Drizzle the salad dressing.

 10. Barbeque Chicken Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes; Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 4 oz roasted chicken breast
• ½ cup blanched broccoli
• ¼ cup red bell pepper
• ¼ cup romaine
• ¼ cup watercress
• 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper

How To Prepare

1. Slice the roasted chicken and add barbecue sauce to it. Mix well.
2. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate. Place the watercress first and then the blanched spinach, red bell pepper, and romaine.
3. Prepare the salad dressing by mixing olive oil, garlic, lime juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Finish by drizzling the salad dressing on top.

11. Cobb Salad With Eggs, Beets, And Spicy Sweet Mustard Dressing

Prep Time: 7 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 2-3 minutes;  Serves: 1

Ingredients

• ½ cup sliced beetroot
• 2 hard boiled eggs
• ½ cup iceberg lettuce
• ½ cup blanched baby spinach
• ¼ cup zucchini slices
• ¼ avocado, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons tarragon
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon hummus
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

How To Prepare

1. Slice the boiled eggs.
2. Prepare the salad dressing by mixing olive oil, rice wine vinegar, tarragon, Dijon mustard, hummus, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
3. Arrange the lettuce on a serving plate.
4. Place the sliced beetroot, zucchini, and
5. the sliced boiled eggs.
6. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese.
7. Finally, drizzle the salad dressing on top.

12. Italian Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 7 minutes; Total Cooking Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 1

Ingredients

• ½ cup poached chicken breast cubes
• 4 halved cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup cooked penne
• 5-6 basil leaves
• ¼ cup broccoli
• 3 tablespoons cheddar cheese
• Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried mixed Italian herbs
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper

How To Prepare

1. Blanch the broccoli.
2. Prepare the salad dressing by mixing olive oil, lime juice, oregano, dried mixed Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
3. Toss the penne with the salad dressing and when well coated with the dressing, use a tong to pick them up and place on a serving plate.
4. Add the poached chicken breast cubes next.
5. Place the halved cherry tomatoes and blanched broccoli.
6. Throw in the basil leaves.
7. Drizzle the salad dressing and top it with grated cheddar cheese.

13. Asian Style Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes;  Total Cooking Time: 7 minutes;  Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 4 oz poached chicken breast, shredded
• ¼ cup sliced carrots
• ¼ cup sliced green bell peppers
• ¼ cup sliced French beans
• ¼ cup chopped chives
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
• A few slices of ginger
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper

 How To Prepare

1. Blanch the carrots, green bell peppers, and French beans.
2. Prepare the salad dressing by mixing sesame oil, fish sauce, rice wine vinegar, ginger slices, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. On a rectangular serving plate, arrange the carrots, French beans, bell pepper, poached chicken breast, and chives.
4. Drizzle the salad dressing on top.
5. Finally, add the sesame seeds on top.

 14. Hawaiian Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Total Cooking Time: 15 minutes; Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 3 oz roasted chicken cubes
• ¼ cup chopped pineapple
• 2 slices grilled bacon
• 5-6 pickled jalapenos
• ½ cup Swiss chard
• ¼ cup watercress
• ¼ avocado, sliced
• ¼ cup sweet corn
• 4 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper

 How To Prepare

1. Prepare the dressing by mixing pineapple juice, lime juice, finely chopped ginger, white wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Arrange all the ingredients on a rectangular plate in this order: Swiss chard, avocado, roasted chicken, pineapple, watercress, jalapenos, and sweet corn.
3. Drizzle the salad dressing on top, and it’s ready to eat!

15. Mango Chicken Cobb Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 10 minutes; Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 6-7 cubes of raw mango
• ½ cup diced boiled sweet potato
• ½ cup boiled kidney beans
• 3 oz poached chicken breast cubes
• ½ cup romaine
• ¼ cup chopped tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt to taste
• ½ teaspoon pepper

 How To Prepare

1. Boil water in a saucepan and add a little salt to it.
2. Add the raw mangoes and cook for 5 minutes.
3. Prepare the salad dressing by mixing olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
4. Arrange the ingredients on a plate in this order: romaine, boiled sweet potato, boiled kidney beans, tomatoes, and chicken breast cubes.
5. Drizzle the salad dressing on top, and it’s ready!

So, these were the 15 best healthy Cobb salad recipes that will give you the required nutrients minus the calories. They are easy and quick, and hence, it is a wise choice to opt for these Cobb salads if you are on a diet but still want to eat tasty food. Get started and make your delicious yet healthy homemade Cobb salad today!

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Reviewer Author

Sarah SpannAdv Dip (Nut Med), mATMS

   

Sarah Spann has 4 years of experience as a clinical nutritionist. She specializes in gut health and is based in Brisbane, Australia. She is dedicated to changing the paradigm of gut health and works with clients all over the world to help them get back the freedom, energy and confidence that their gut issues have taken away.

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Charushila BiswasHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Charushila is an ISSA certified Fitness Nutritionist and a Physical Exercise Therapist. Over a span of 6 years, she has authored more than 400 articles on diet, lifestyle, exercises, healthy food, and fitness equipment. She strives to inform, educate, and motivate her readers via authentic, straightforward, and fact-checked information.

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