Do you have a favorite restaurant meal that you wish you could make at home? My favorite salad is the Cosi Signature Salad. My copycat Cosi signature salad with a homemade version of their sherry shallot vinaigrette lets me enjoy the dish at home anytime I want!
The closest decent restaurant to get a quick lunch near the hospital at work at is Cosi. I make a trip to Cosi a few times a month either alone or with a coworker. I love their Tomato Basil Soup and warm Whole Grain Flat Bread. I usually just order the soup, because it's quick and inexpensive. When I do have more time and more funds I will order the Cosi Signature Salad. I have to admit I have never tried any of their other salads. I love the Signature Salad and don't feel the need to try anything else.
The Signature Salad is a mix of wonderfully good for you ingredients and an interesting flavor combination. Dried cranberries, grapes, and pears provide a sweet taste while gorgonzola provides what I consider a sour taste. Pistachios add a hint of salt and great crunch. The Signature Salad comes with a Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette, which just pulls all the flavors together. Cosi serves two versions of the Signature Salad, regular and light. The lighter version is served with less cheese and lower calorie dressing. I have tried both versions and love them both.
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Do you have a favorite restaurant meal that you make at home? Let me know in the comments below.
This post was originally posted in December of 2014. The content and photo were updated on 5/3/2016.
Recipe
Copycat Cosi Signature Salad with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- ½ pear diced
- 1 ounce Gorgonzola
- ½ cup grapes cut in half
- 1 ounce shelled Pistachios
- 2 Tablespoons dried cranberries
- Sherry Shallot Dressing
- ½ cup Grape Seed Oil
- ¼ cup Sherry Vinegar
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon minced Shallots
- ¼ teaspoon honey
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Dressing: Whisk together oil, vinegar, garlic, shallots, honey, pepper, and salt.
- Set aside.
- Salad: Place salad greens into a large bowl.
- Top with pears, grapes, dried cranberries, pistachios, and gorgonzola.
- Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of Sherry Shallot dressing over salad.
- Toss to coat.
- Serve immediately.
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living says
This sounds right up my alley - love all the fun flavors in this salad.
Farrah says
This looks delicious! <3 There's a salad I really love that I need to try again so I can attempt to recreate it! *-*
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together says
This looks amazing! I've only been to cosi once (I think it's a southern thing?) but I always forget about grapes in salad until I'm eating grapes in salad wondering why I didn't do it sooner!
Jennifer Lynn-Pullman says
I live in Pennsylvania. We don't have a lot of Cosi's. I think there are just two in the area. None of them are near our home, but I work near one. So it's a work treat!
Barb @ A Life in Balance says
That looks delicious! I love gorgonzola on just about anything.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The sherry shallot dressing sounds so good!
Katie @Mom to Mom Nutrition says
My girlfriend and I just ate lunch at Cosi on Monday and she ordered this salad! Sending to her 🙂
miranda papandreou says
This sounds and looks delicious!
Natalie Rizzo says
Thanks for recreating this salad. It's one of my favorites!
Gina B says
Yum!! Bet anything it tastes way better than the Cosi's!
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
What a gorgeous salad! Your photos are beautiful! I'm never had this salad before but it really does sound like a fabulous combination of flavors and textures. Thanks for sharing!
joe says
How many does this server? Is this one serving? Thanks.
Jennifer Lynn-Pullman says
One
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
Oh I love pistachios. What a fabulous salad!!! The dressing looks so good!!!
Jennifer Lynn-Pullman says
I actually never ate pistachios until I tried this salad. I do love them as well.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I love Cosi but we unfortunately have none nearby. Lucky for me you recreated a favorite! 🙂
Jennifer Lynn-Pullman says
I am only close to one when I go to work at the hospital. We don't have one close to home.
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
I haven't been to a Cosi in so long (not located where I live), but really liked what they served. Your salad is wonderful! Love the pistachios and grapes, and of course that Shallot Dressing! Yum!
Jennifer Lynn-Pullman says
Thanks Patricia! The menu at Cosi has changed a lot recently and they continue to add healthier options.
Cliff Cooper says
I also love Cosi's Signature Salad. It is a delightful blend of flavors. I used to eat it every day when I worked in Washington, D.C. This recipe is an excellent knock off.
Jennifer Lynn-Pullman says
I miss Cosi's flat bread.
Rebecca says
This dressing is SPOT ON and the rest of the recipe is perfect. Thanks for deconstructing this 🙂 Moved away from Cosi, and really missed the signature salad.
Betty says
Perfect! I miss Cosi and this hit the spot
Lilly says
I want to thank you SO MUCH for this! The Cosis around me have all closed so I haven't had their salad in years and really missed it. I've been making this and it tastes exactly the same! Thanks again!