California Cobb Salad Recipe

An update on the classic, featuring salmon and goat cheese.

By
Carrie Vasios Mullins
Carrie Vasios Mullins is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Carrie Vasios Mullins
Carrie Vasios Mullins is the former national editor at Serious Eats, with a focus on all things sweet.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated April 08, 2025
Overhead view of a California Cobb salad made with salmon and goat cheese.

Serious Eats / Carrie Vasios Mullins

A traditional Cobb salad includes grilled chicken and blue cheese, but in modern day California you can't pass your tanned finger over a menu without being greeted by salmon, so I've included it here. Similarly, Sonoma County produces a variety of great goat cheeses (think Redwood Hill Farm), which makes a nice substitution for blue cheese. This salad is really the perfect compromise. In other words, it's a plate of lettuce giant enough to hide the tidbits of bacon and goat cheese. Serve it in big bowls so everyone can eat on the couch.

January 2012

Recipe Details

California Cobb Salad Recipe

Prep 10 mins
Cook 15 mins
Active 25 mins
Total 25 mins
Serves 4 servings
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Ingredients

For Salad:

  • 24 ounces salmon fillet

  • 12 ounces Romaine lettuce hearts, chopped

  • 4 large hard-boiled eggs, diced

  • 4 slices cooked bacon, diced

  • 2 avocados, peeled, cored, and sliced

  • 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half

  • 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

  • Olive oil

  • Salt and pepper

For Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 1/3 teaspoon Worchestire sauce

  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Brush salmon with olive oil and season both sides with salt and pepper. Grill salmon until just cooked through, about 4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Set aside.

  2. Place lettuce, eggs, bacon, avocados, cherry tomatoes, and goat cheese in a large bowl. Toss to combine.

  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients for dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  4. Pour dressing over lettuce mixture and toss to combine.

  5. Cut salmon into 4 pieces. Divide salad between 4 bowls, topping each bowl with a piece of salmon.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
849 Calories
66g Fat
21g Carbs
45g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 849
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 66g 84%
Saturated Fat 14g 71%
Cholesterol 288mg 96%
Sodium 904mg 39%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 6g 22%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 45g
Vitamin C 53mg 266%
Calcium 128mg 10%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 1283mg 27%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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