How to Make Elaine’s Big Salad From ‘Seinfeld’

Arielle Weg
·3 min read
seinfeld
The Secret to Elaine’s Big Salad From ‘Seinfeld’ NBC - Getty Images
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  • Seinfeld fans can now get the recipe for Elaine’s Big Salad she would always order at Monk’s diner.

  • The recipe and other fan-favorite foods from the show are available in the newly released Seinfeld: The Official Cookbook.

  • The Big Salad recipe is best known from episode two of season six: The Big Salad.

One constant theme through the nine-season run of hilarious jokes and heartfelt moments of Seinfeld is the food. From Monk’s, 129 W 81st Street, George Steinbrenner’s office, Mendy’s, and more, the foursome of Seinfeld is finally sharing recipes with the launch of Seinfeld: The Official Cookbook. And what better dish to start with other than the recipe for Elaine’s Big Salad?

We’ve always wondered about the flavor profile of Elaine’s go-to cobb-like salad. She would always order the meal from Monk’s, the New York City-based diner in which many scenes took palce. How important was this salad, you ask? In one particular episode (episode two of season six) called The Big Salad, the dish plays a major plot point when George buys it for Elaine, but his girlfriend gets thanked for it.

Many have tried and tried to recreate the salad, but with no recipe, it proved rather difficult. Thanks to the newly released Seinfeld: The Official Cookbook we can finally learn how to make the greens-filled dish. Writers Julie Tremaine and Brendan Kirby recently went on Good Morning America to share the recipe.

“‘Tomatoes like volleyballs?’ They could work. Elaine’s favorite is sure to indulge the salad lover in your life. This is so much better than two small salads offered by Hildy. No comparison,” the authors write in the recipe intro. Here’s how to make your own:

Ingredients

  • Juice of one lemon

  • 1 ½ Tbsp Dijon mustard

  • ¼ Cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • ¾ tsp salt

  • ½ tsp pepper

  • 1 large head of iceberg lettuce, shredded

  • 1 avocado, peeled and sliced

  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered

  • 4 strips cooked and crumbled bacon

  • 1 cup shredded chicken

  • ½ cup grape tomatoes, halved

  • ½ cup crumbled blue cheese

Steps

  • In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside.

  • Add the remaining salad ingredients to two large bowls, drizzled with salad dressing, and enjoy.

The cookbook also includes 60 recipes for home chefs of all levels based on plot lines, characters, themes, and jokes from the ‘90s hit sitcom. Each dish is inspired by the antics of Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, George, and more. Plus, the cookbook includes fun food-focused Seinfeld antics like proper shrimp cocktail etiquette and an official ranking of babka varieties.

But what’s really important are the recipes. The book includes secrets to Seinfeld breakfast classics like Mr. Lippman’s Elaine’s Muffin Tops, Kramer’s Peach Pancakes, and Jerry’s Cereal Bars. Dips like Hummus Among Us and #1 Salsa in America also take center stage. And what would a cookbook be without desserts? The cookbook authors share the secrets behind Best Apple Pie in the City and Black and White Cookies. There’s truly something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for the best gifts for husbands or are looking for gifts for moms who have everything, you’ll want to snag this book asap.

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