BLT Salad, a Simple and Savory Family Dinner Idea

Even in the winter time I crave salads. But, I want something that’s comforting too. That’s why this BLT Salad is a simple and savory family dinner idea. The bacon provides that savory, comfort food that is warm and crisp and delicious while the tomatoes and lettuce give the simple goodness of a delicious salad. 

When you combine those classic BLT flavors into a salad you get all the crave worthy goodness in a single bowl. 

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How to Make this Delicious BLT Salad

Start by preheating your oven to 425° F.

BLT Salad Bacon Making Tip

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I just don’t want to stand in the kitchen over a hot stove frying up bacon. I learned a trick a while ago that makes it so much easier and my bacon gets crispy, just the way I like it. 

Forego the hot, greasy pan in favor of crisping your bacon in the oven. 

It’s SO easy. Using a sheet pan lined with foil, I lay a rack over the top. Then lay my bacon on the rack. Set the oven to 425° F, slide the sheet pan in and let cook for 20-30 minutes depending on your preferred level of done.

Remove the cooked bacon from the sheet pan and drain on paper towels. I also like to dab the top of the bacon to remove any excess oil, but most if drips off the bacon in the oven when using a rack.

Make the BLT Salad Croutons

While your oven is doing it’s work, place the whole wheat bread on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and garlic powder; stir well. Use a silicon pastry brush to brush the butter mixture over both sides of each slice of bread.

Use a serrated knife to slice the garlic buttered bread into 1/2-inch squares. Scatter the squares across the baking sheet.

Pop the croutons into the oven with the bacon, set a timer for 5 minutes and check when the timer goes off. You want them to be golden brown on the bottom. But with the oven at this temperature it will happen quickly, so watch carefully.

Use tongs or a fork to flip each crouton, then return to the oven for another few minutes until golden brown on the second side. The croutons are done baking when they are golden brown on both sides and crispy.

Transfer the croutons from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.

You can also use sprouted grain or sourdough bread for a low-carb, and healthier, option for your croutons.

Assemble your BLT Salad

Tear the head of lettuce into bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Cut the tomatoes in half and add to the salad. Sprinkle the salad with shredded cheddar cheese.

Right before serving, toss the croutons and bacon into the salad.

How to Make a Delicious Bacon Salad Dressing

My favorite BLT Salad dressing is my homemade mayonnaise based dressing.

Mix together 1/2 cup of Hellmann’s^® Real Mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 Tablespoons of reserved bacon grease, or use Extra Virgin Olive Oil if you don’t have any bacon drippings, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Add to your salad and toss together to evenly coat the salad.

Of course, you can use your own favorite creamy dressing as well, such as ranch or honey mustard.

BLT Salad Recipe

Yield: 4 Dinner Size, or 6-8 Side Salads

Simple and Savory BLT Salad

Print

Ingredients

• 1 large head of lettuce (romaine or green leaf lettuce recommended), washed and dried
• 10 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, washed and dried
• ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 of pound bacon, thin cut
• 4 slices whole wheat, or sprouted grain bread
• 1/3 cup of butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• _____________________
• BLT SALAD DRESSING
• 1/2 cup of Hellmann's® Real Mayonnaise
• 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons of Bacon Grease or Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• sprinkle of salt and pepper
• Or any, creamy salad dressing of choice for serving on the side.

Instructions

1. Cook the Bacon
2. Using a sheet pan lined with foil, set a rack over the top. Then lay the bacon strips on the rack. Slide the sheet pan in and let cook for 20-30 minutes depending on your preferred level of done.
3. Remove the cooked bacon from the sheet pan and drain on paper towels. Dab the top of the bacon to remove any excess oil, but most if drips off the bacon in the oven when using a rack.
4. Crumble the bacon.
5. _________________
6. Make your Croutons
7. Place the whole wheat bread on a baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and garlic powder; stir well. Use a silicon pastry brush to brush the butter mixture over both sides of each slice of bread.
8. Use a serrated knife to slice the garlic buttered bread into 1/2-inch squares. Scatter the squares across the baking sheet.
9. Pop the croutons into the oven with the bacon, set a timer for 5 minutes and check when the timer goes off. You want them to be golden brown on the bottom. But with the oven at this temperature it will happen quickly, so watch carefully.
10. Use tongs or a fork to flip each crouton, and then return to the oven for another few minutes until golden brown on the second side. The croutons are done baking when they are golden brown on both sides and crispy.
11. Transfer the croutons from the baking sheet to a wire rack to cool to room temperature.
12. _________________
13. Assemble your BLT Salad
14. Tear the head of lettuce into bite sized pieces and place in a large bowl. Cut the tomatoes in half and add to the salad. Sprinkle the salad with shredded cheddar cheese.
15. Right before serving, toss the croutons and bacon into the salad.
16. _________________
17. How to Make a Delicious BLT Salad Dressing
18. My favorite BLT Salad dressing is my homemade mayonnaise based dressing.
19. Mix together 1/2 cup of Hellmann's® Real Mayonnaise, 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 Tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
20. Add to your salad and toss together to evenly coat the salad.
21. Of course, you can use your own favorite creamy dressing as well, such as ranch or honey mustard.

Notes

For eating low-carb, you can choose to opt-out the croutons.

For Trim Healthy Mamas, you can use sprouted grain, or sourdough bread, toasted, for your croutons. Or, alternatively any on-plan bread that you can utilize in an S, or S helper setting.

Recommended Salad Dressings: Primal Kitchen, Ranch Dressing

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1546Total Fat: 76gSaturated Fat: 29gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 42gCholesterol: 175mgSodium: 2364mgCarbohydrates: 150gFiber: 26gSugar: 11gProtein: 76g

Nutritional values are estimates and intended for informational purposes only. Actual results may vary.

This BLT Salad recipe is a wonderful family dinner idea because everyone loves bacon! If for some reason you don’t eat bacon, or pork you can always substitute and use turkey or chicken bacon instead. It’s a great alternative and of course, much lower in fat. So some would say it’s a healthier version.

What is your favorite type of salad in the winter months? Share your fave with me in the comment section below.

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