Southern Cobb Salad with a Twist: A Bold, Flavor-Packed Take on a Classic American Favorite

Discover how this soulful Southern spin on the traditional Cobb salad delivers crispy, creamy, smoky goodness in every bite — perfect for warm-weather gatherings or weeknight comfort

Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D June 2, 2025

Kurman Communications LLC/flickr [CC BY 2.0]

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Servings: 4 large servings

Background & Fun Facts

The traditional Cobb salad, said to be invented in the 1930s at the Brown Derby restaurant in Hollywood, was named after its owner, Robert Cobb. This iconic chopped salad combines lettuce, bacon, chicken, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, tomato, and blue cheese in a colorful line-up that’s as satisfying as it is Instagram-worthy.

But down South, we like to add a little sass.

This Southern Cobb Salad keeps the spirit of the original but adds beloved Southern staples like crispy fried okra, spiced pecans, smoky BBQ chicken, and a creamy buttermilk ranch dressing with a punch of hot sauce. It’s hearty, flavorful, and unapologetically Southern.

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