Ultimate BLT Salad Recipe: Fresh Flavors, Crispy Bacon & Creamy Herb Dressing
There’s nothing quite like the simple perfection of a classic BLT sandwich, especially when garden-fresh tomatoes are at their peak during the summer months. The combination of sweet, juicy tomatoes, smoky, savory bacon, and crisp lettuce is a culinary delight. But what if you could capture all that incredible flavor in a lighter, more refreshing format? Enter the **BLT Salad** – a brilliant transformation of a beloved classic into a vibrant, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion, from a quick lunch to a delightful dinner side.
This BLT Salad isn’t just a deconstructed sandwich; it’s a celebration of textures and flavors. We take the essential elements – crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and perfectly cooked bacon – and elevate them with crunchy croutons and a truly irresistible creamy herb dressing. It’s an easy, quick-to-assemble recipe that promises big flavor and effortless elegance. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile; feel free to add grilled chicken or other proteins to make it a more substantial meal.
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect BLT Salad
Creating an exceptional BLT salad starts with selecting the freshest, highest quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the symphony of flavors and textures that make this salad so memorable.
- Crisp Lettuce: The foundation of any great salad. For this BLT creation, I highly recommend using crisp romaine lettuce. Its sturdy leaves and refreshing crunch stand up beautifully to the dressing and other ingredients, ensuring your salad doesn’t wilt too quickly. Iceberg lettuce is another excellent choice for its legendary crunch, or if you prefer a softer bite, butter lettuce would also work. Ultimately, use whatever variety you love most and that offers a good textual contrast. Remember, the crisper, the better!
- Vine-Ripe Tomatoes: The “T” in BLT is non-negotiable, and the quality of your tomatoes truly makes all the difference. When tomatoes are in season, particularly during summer, their sweet, juicy flavor is unparalleled. Cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half, are ideal for a salad as they provide bursts of sweetness in every bite and are less prone to making the salad watery. If using larger varieties like Roma or heirloom tomatoes, simply dice them into bite-sized pieces.
- Smoky, Crispy Bacon: The “B” is arguably the star of the show. There’s nothing quite like the savory, smoky crunch of perfectly cooked bacon. I prefer to cook bacon until it’s wonderfully crisp, then crumble it into pieces. You can leave the pieces larger for a more pronounced bacon flavor, or dice them smaller to ensure a delightful bit of bacon in every forkful. For best results, cook your bacon on a baking sheet in the oven for even crispiness with less mess.
- Creamy Avocado: While not traditionally part of the classic BLT trio, avocado is a game-changer in this salad. For me, it’s an absolute must-have. Its creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor perfectly complement the salty bacon and acidic tomatoes, adding another layer of indulgence and healthy fats. Make sure your avocado is ripe but still firm enough to hold its shape when sliced.
- Crunchy Croutons: Think of croutons as the “bread” element of your deconstructed BLT sandwich. They provide that satisfying, toasty crunch that’s essential. You can use your favorite store-bought variety, or elevate your salad even further by making homemade croutons from stale bread. Sourdough or garlic-infused croutons work exceptionally well here, adding depth of flavor and fantastic texture.
The Star of the Show: Creamy Herb Dressing
While the ingredients of the BLT salad are simple and delicious on their own, it’s the homemade creamy herb dressing that truly transforms this dish from good to extraordinary. This dressing strikes a beautiful balance between tangy, creamy, and herbaceous, with a subtle kick. It has a familiar comfort, reminiscent of a classic ranch dressing, but with a unique, fresh twist that makes it truly special. Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile and tastes fantastic on almost any salad, so don’t hesitate to make a double batch!
- Mayonnaise: The base for a rich, creamy texture. Use a good quality mayonnaise for the best flavor.
- Sour Cream: Adds a delightful tang and lightens the richness of the mayonnaise, contributing to the dressing’s signature creaminess.
- Fresh Parsley: Essential for that vibrant, fresh herbaceous note. Finely chopped parsley brightens the entire dressing.
- Minced Garlic: Provides a pungent, savory depth that enhances all the other flavors. Freshly minced garlic is always superior to garlic powder for dressings.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is crucial for acidity, cutting through the richness and adding a zesty brightness.
- Spicy Mustard: A touch of spicy brown mustard (or Dijon) adds a subtle warmth and complexity, elevating the dressing beyond a simple creamy blend.
- Salt and Pepper: Season generously to taste to bring all the flavors into harmony.
- Onion Powder: Delivers a mild, savory onion flavor without the sharpness of fresh onion, blending seamlessly into the creamy base.
Whisking these ingredients together takes less than five minutes, and the result is a dressing that will instantly elevate your BLT salad and likely become a new favorite in your recipe repertoire. While a bottled ranch dressing can work in a pinch, taking the extra few minutes to craft this homemade version is truly worth the effort.
Assembling Your Delectable BLT Salad
One of the beauties of this BLT salad is its sheer simplicity in assembly. It’s a straightforward process that gets you from ingredients to a satisfying meal in minimal time. The key is to prepare all your components ahead of time, so when you’re ready to eat, it’s just a matter of combining everything. This salad is best enjoyed fresh, ensuring every bite is as crisp and flavorful as intended.
- Prepare Your Greens: Start by placing all your coarsely chopped lettuce into a large serving bowl. The bigger the bowl, the easier it will be to toss all the ingredients evenly without making a mess.
- Arrange Your Toppings: Artfully arrange your prepared tomatoes, crispy bacon crumbles, golden croutons, and beautifully sliced avocado over the bed of lettuce. This initial arrangement looks appealing and ensures all ingredients are well-distributed once tossed.
- Dress and Serve Immediately: Right before serving, drizzle a generous amount of your creamy herb dressing over the salad. Start with about half the dressing, then toss everything gently to combine. Taste and add more dressing if desired. Serving immediately is crucial to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and croutons, preventing them from becoming soggy.
Pro Tips for a Restaurant-Quality BLT Salad Every Time
Achieving a truly outstanding salad at home is easier than you think, especially when you keep a few key principles in mind. These tips will help ensure your BLT salad is always fresh, vibrant, and incredibly delicious.
- Thoroughly Dry Your Lettuce: This is arguably the most critical step for any great salad. Excess moisture on your lettuce acts as a barrier, preventing the dressing from properly adhering to the leaves. The result is a bland, watery salad, even with the most flavorful dressing. Invest in a good salad spinner – it’s a game-changer! Alternatively, lay your washed lettuce leaves on a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and gently pat them completely dry. Allowing enough time for this step will significantly improve your salad’s texture and taste.
- Avoid Dressing Too Far Ahead: This BLT salad is a masterpiece of textures, from the crispy bacon and croutons to the fresh lettuce. Unfortunately, these elements are delicate. Adding the dressing too early, even an hour before serving, will cause the lettuce to wilt and the croutons to become soggy. Even pre-combining the bacon, tomatoes, and croutons hours in advance can soften them, diminishing their crispness. For optimal freshness, prepare all components separately and assemble the salad right before you’re ready to enjoy it.
- Make the Dressing in Advance: While the salad itself shouldn’t be fully assembled ahead of time, the creamy herb dressing is an excellent make-ahead component. Prepare a batch and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen, making it even more delicious. Just be sure to give it a good stir or whisk before drizzling it over your salad to ensure it’s well combined and creamy.
- Personalize and Dress Up Your Salad: This recipe provides a fantastic foundation, but don’t hesitate to make it your own! Think of it as a canvas for your culinary creativity. I often add thinly sliced red onion for an extra layer of sharp flavor. For a more substantial meal, consider adding grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs for a protein boost. If you’re a cheese lover, a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles, sharp cheddar, or even creamy goat cheese can add incredible depth and character. Other additions like corn, black beans, or a touch of chopped bell pepper can also introduce new dimensions of flavor and texture.
More Delicious Salad Recipes to Explore
If you’re a fan of fresh, flavorful salads, then you’re in the right place! Salads offer an incredible array of possibilities, from light and refreshing sides to hearty, satisfying main courses. Here are some other fantastic salad recipes from our collection that you might enjoy, perfect for expanding your repertoire and bringing more vibrant dishes to your table:
- Simple Tossed Salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Chicken Fajita Salad
- Antipasto Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Roasted Squash & Goat Cheese Salad
- Dorito Taco Salad
BLT Salad
Pin Recipe
Rate Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 head romaine lettuce, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 slices bacon, ,cooked and crumbled
- 1 avocado, pitted and sliced
- 1 cup croutons
Dressing
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 3 Tablespoons mayo
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon spicy brown mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
-
In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing until thoroughly blended and smooth. This can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge until you are ready to serve the salad, allowing the flavors to fully develop.
-
In a large serving bowl, combine the freshly washed and dried lettuce, the halved cherry tomatoes, crispy bacon crumbles, creamy avocado slices, and crunchy croutons. Ensure the bowl is large enough for easy tossing.
-
Just before serving, drizzle the homemade creamy herb dressing over the assembled salad. Start with about half the dressing and toss everything together gently to coat evenly. Add more dressing if desired, then serve immediately to enjoy the freshest taste and texture.
Notes
Nutrition
Please note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation. Exact values may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Additional Info
Love this recipe? Share your thoughts below!
Join Our Community! I’ve created a vibrant and engaging group on Facebook, and I would absolutely love for you to become a part of it! It’s the perfect place to share YOUR favorite recipes, ask questions, connect with fellow food enthusiasts, and stay updated on all the exciting new recipes from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts (so you never miss a delicious post!).
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #dinnersdishes so I can see all the wonderful creations you make from DINNERS, DISHES, AND DESSERTS recipes! Your culinary adventures inspire me!
Stay connected and never miss out on new content! Be sure to follow me on my social media channels:
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram