Description
Rich and savory bacon salad combines crisp greens with smoky, salty bacon bits for a delightful flavor profile. Salad lovers will appreciate this simple yet satisfying dish that brings comfort and excitement to any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional)
- 6 cups mixed greens (like romaine, spinach, or arugula)
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- ½ cup shredded cheddar or crumbled blue cheese (optional)
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) bacon drippings (or olive oil if preferred)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp (5 ml) honey or maple syrup
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bacon Transformation: Heat skillet to medium and render bacon until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease, then crumble into rustic fragments.
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk reserved bacon drippings with vinegar, mustard, honey, and seasonings until a smooth, flavorful emulsion develops.
- Salad Assembly: Layer crisp greens in a large bowl, artfully arranging red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, cheese crumbles, and eggs for a vibrant and textural foundation.
- Final Flourish: Sprinkle crumbled bacon across the salad’s surface, then gently drizzle and toss with prepared dressing to ensure every ingredient is delicately coated.
- Serving Recommendation: Present immediately to showcase the warm bacon, crisp vegetables, and harmonious flavor profile at its peak freshness and temperature.
Notes
- Manage Bacon Rendering: Cook bacon slowly on medium heat to prevent burning and ensure even, crispy texture without charring edges.
- Control Bacon Drippings: Strain rendered fat through fine-mesh sieve to remove burnt particles, maintaining clean, pure flavor for dressing.
- Enhance Salad Texture: Layer ingredients strategically, placing crisp bacon and crunchy vegetables on top to prevent wilting and preserve maximum textural contrast.
- Customize Dietary Options: Substitute bacon with turkey bacon or tempeh for low-fat versions, or use plant-based alternatives to accommodate vegetarian preferences while maintaining smoky flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg