The Ultimate BLT Salad Recipe: Crispy Bacon, Fresh Tomatoes & Creamy Herb Dressing for a Perfect Summer Meal
There’s nothing quite like the quintessential BLT sandwich, especially when garden-fresh tomatoes are at their peak during the warm summer months. The delightful combination of crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and fresh lettuce, all nestled between slices of toasted bread, is a classic for a reason. But what if you could capture all that beloved flavor in a lighter, more refreshing format? Enter the BLT Salad – a deconstructed masterpiece that transforms your favorite sandwich into a vibrant and satisfying meal.
This recipe takes the essence of the classic BLT and reimagines it as a hearty salad, packed with texture and flavor. We’re talking fresh, ripe tomatoes, perfectly cooked crispy bacon, crunchy croutons, and a vibrant, creamy herb dressing that ties everything together. It’s an ideal choice for a light lunch, a side dish, or even a main course when you add some grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs to bulk it up. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, allowing you to savor those delicious summer flavors with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This BLT Salad
This BLT salad isn’t just a simple mix of ingredients; it’s a culinary experience that hits all the right notes. Here’s why it will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation:
- All the Flavor, Less the Guilt: Enjoy the iconic taste of a BLT without the heavy bread, making it a lighter, yet equally satisfying, option.
- Bursting with Freshness: Especially in the summer, when tomatoes are at their peak, this salad truly shines with fresh, vibrant flavors.
- Quick & Easy: With minimal prep and cook time, this salad comes together in a flash, perfect for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
- Highly Customizable: Easily adapt it to your preferences by adding extra protein, different cheeses, or other vegetables to make it your own.
- Irresistible Creamy Herb Dressing: The homemade dressing is a game-changer, adding a tangy, herby, and incredibly delicious element that elevates the entire dish.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a light lunch, a backyard BBQ side, or a fulfilling dinner, this salad fits perfectly into any meal plan.
Essential BLT Salad Ingredients
Crafting the perfect BLT salad starts with selecting high-quality, fresh ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in creating the balanced flavors and textures that make this dish so irresistible.
- Lettuce – For that signature crunch, I highly recommend using crisp varieties like romaine lettuce or iceberg lettuce. Their sturdy leaves hold up well to the dressing and other ingredients, providing a satisfying bite without overpowering the other flavors. Feel free to use your preferred type of crisp lettuce; even a mix of greens can work if you enjoy a softer texture, but for true BLT authenticity, crunch is key.
- Tomatoes – The soul of any BLT! Fresh, ripe tomatoes are non-negotiable. Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved, are ideal as they offer bursts of sweet, juicy flavor in every bite and are easy to distribute throughout the salad. During summer, look for local, in-season tomatoes for the absolute best taste.
- Bacon – Crispy, smoky bacon is what makes a BLT, well, a BLT. Cook your bacon until it’s perfectly crisp, then crumble it into pieces. You can leave the pieces larger for a more substantial bite or dice them up small to ensure a piece of bacon in nearly every forkful. The choice is yours, but aim for a good ratio of crispness!
- Avocado – While not traditionally in a BLT sandwich, avocado is a personal “must-have” for this salad, and for good reason. Its creamy texture and rich, buttery flavor complement the other ingredients beautifully, adding a layer of indulgence and healthy fats that make the salad more substantial and satisfying. Choose a ripe but firm avocado, pit it, and slice it just before serving to prevent browning.
- Croutons – These are the unsung heroes, stepping in for the “bread” component of the classic sandwich. They add a crucial textural element and a subtle bready flavor. You can use your favorite store-bought croutons, or for an extra touch of deliciousness, easily make your own homemade croutons from stale bread. Whether garlicky, herby, or plain, they’re essential for that satisfying crunch.
The Star: Creamy Herb Dressing
While the fresh ingredients make the salad, the creamy herb dressing is truly what elevates this BLT salad from good to extraordinary. It’s more sophisticated than a basic ranch but shares a similar creamy, comforting profile. This dressing is tangy, lusciously creamy, packed with fresh herbs, and utterly delicious – a flavor bomb that complements the smoky bacon and sweet tomatoes perfectly. It’s so good, you might want to make a double batch; it pairs wonderfully with almost any green salad or as a dip!
Ingredients for the Creamy Herb Dressing:
- Mayonnaise: Provides the rich, creamy base for the dressing.
- Sour Cream: Adds a delightful tang and lightens the richness of the mayo, contributing to the overall creamy texture.
- Fresh Parsley: Brings a burst of fresh, herbaceous flavor and a beautiful green fleck. Fresh is key here for the best taste.
- Garlic: A staple in most savory dressings, garlic adds a pungent, aromatic depth that balances the creamy elements.
- Lemon Juice: Crucial for brightness and acidity, it cuts through the richness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Spicy Mustard: A touch of spicy brown mustard adds a subtle kick and a complex flavor note that makes the dressing more intriguing than a simple ranch.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste, bringing out all the individual flavors.
- Onion Powder: Contributes a savory, umami note that rounds out the dressing without adding the sharpness of fresh onion.
Assembling Your Perfect BLT Salad
One of the beauties of this BLT salad recipe is its straightforward assembly. Once your ingredients are prepped, putting it all together is incredibly quick and easy. The real secret to taking this salad from ordinary to absolutely spectacular lies in the homemade dressing, which takes less than 5 minutes to whisk together. While you can certainly use a bottle of your favorite ranch dressing if you’re truly short on time, I highly encourage you to try making this creamy herb dressing – it truly makes all the difference!
Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions:
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the creamy herb dressing (mayonnaise, sour cream, fresh parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, spicy mustard, onion powder, salt, and pepper) until it’s perfectly smooth and well blended. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to dress the salad.
- Prep Your Salad Components: Ensure your lettuce is thoroughly washed and dried (this is crucial for a great salad!). Coarsely chop the romaine. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Cook your bacon until crisp, then crumble or chop it into desired pieces. Pit and slice your avocado. Have your favorite croutons ready.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large serving bowl – the bigger, the better, to allow for easy tossing – add all of your prepared lettuce. Arrange the halved tomatoes, crispy bacon, sliced avocado, and crunchy croutons attractively over the top of the lettuce.
- Dress and Serve Immediately: Right before serving, drizzle a generous amount of the creamy herb dressing over the salad. Start with about half the dressing and add more if desired, as some prefer a lighter coating. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated. For the best texture and to prevent the croutons from becoming soggy, this salad is best served immediately after dressing.
Expert Tips for the Best BLT Salad
Achieving a truly exceptional salad goes beyond just combining ingredients. Follow these expert tips to ensure your BLT salad is always crisp, flavorful, and a crowd-pleaser:
- Dry Your Lettuce Thoroughly: This is arguably the most important tip for making a restaurant-quality salad at home. If your lettuce still has moisture on it, the dressing won’t adhere properly, leading to a watery and “blah” salad. Use a salad spinner to remove excess water, or take the time to pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels. A dry base ensures the dressing clings beautifully to every leaf, delivering maximum flavor.
- Timing is Crucial for Freshness: This isn’t a salad you want to assemble too far in advance. While pre-chopping some ingredients is fine, adding the dressing will quickly make the lettuce soggy and soften the croutons. Even combining the bacon, tomatoes, and croutons hours ahead can diminish their crispness and fresh texture. For the best results, assemble and dress the salad just before you plan to serve it.
- Make the Dressing Ahead: While the salad itself shouldn’t be fully assembled too early, the creamy herb dressing is an excellent make-ahead component. Prepare the dressing up to 3-4 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just be sure to give it a good stir or whisk before using it, as the ingredients may separate slightly.
- Customize and Dress Up Your Salad: Consider this recipe a fantastic guide, but don’t hesitate to make it your own!
- Add Protein: For a more substantial meal, incorporate grilled chicken, slices of turkey, or even hard-boiled eggs.
- Cheesy Goodness: Elevate the flavor with some crumbled blue cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, or even a sprinkle of tangy goat cheese.
- Extra Veggies: Thinly sliced red onion adds a pleasant sharpness, or consider diced cucumber or bell peppers for more crunch.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing can add a subtle warmth.
- Homemade Croutons: If you have stale bread, quickly make your own croutons for an unparalleled freshness and crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I make BLT salad ahead of time?
- While you can prep all the individual ingredients (cook bacon, chop lettuce, halve tomatoes, make dressing) in advance, it’s best to assemble and dress the salad just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy. The dressing can be made 3-4 days ahead and stored in the fridge.
- What’s the best lettuce for BLT salad?
- Romaine and iceberg lettuce are ideal due to their crisp texture, which provides a satisfying crunch that mimics the toasted bread of a traditional BLT. However, you can use any crisp green lettuce you prefer.
- Can I use store-bought dressing?
- Absolutely! If you’re short on time, a good quality ranch dressing or another creamy herb dressing would work well. However, the homemade creamy herb dressing in this recipe truly elevates the salad, so it’s highly recommended if you have a few extra minutes.
- How do I store leftover BLT salad?
- If the salad has already been dressed, it’s best consumed immediately. Leftovers will likely become soggy quickly. If you have undressed components, store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
More Delicious Salad Recipes to Explore
If you love this BLT salad, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic salad recipes:
- Simple Tossed Salad
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Chicken Fajita Salad
- Antipasto Salad
- Chicken Caesar Salad
- Roasted Squash & Goat Cheese Salad
- Dorito Taco Salad
BLT Salad
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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 well blended and smooth. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
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In a large bowl combine the lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, avocado and croutons.
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Drizzle with dressing right before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 248kcal |
Carbohydrates: 13g |
Protein: 9g |
Fat: 19g |
Saturated Fat: 5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 13g |
Cholesterol: 24mg |
Sodium: 470mg |
Fiber: 5g |
Sugar: 3g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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