This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.
This BLT salad is your favorite sandwich combo in salad form, dressed up with brown sugar bacon and touch of maple in the salad dressing.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
When the temperatures rise in the summer and tomatoes are taking over the garden, a good blt salad for dinner is perfect and a nice break from a sandwich.
- Turn your favorite blt sandwiches into a salad with this this BLT salad recipe. The salad makes it more diet friendly and not so carb heavy!
- The best part of this salad though is the bacon. It is coated with a layer of brown sugar and paprika.
- You can serve as a main dish or as a side dish.
Ingredients Needed:
- Lettuce. I prefer romaine lettuce but you can also use iceberg. You can use a combination of your favorite greens if you prefer.
- Red onion
- Tomatoes. Use the best and the most fresh tomato you can find. You can dice up a tomato or use cherry tomatoes cut in half.
- Croutons. Use store bought croutons or make your homemade croutons with this recipe.
- Bacon. Use a good quality bacon as the bacon is the star of the show! If you prefer you can use turkey bacon.
- Avocado This is optional but a delicious addition.
- Brown sugar
- Paprika
- Salt and Pepper
- Mayonnaise
- Maple syrup. Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup.
- Whole grain mustard
- Lemon juice. Be sure and use fresh lemon juice.
How to Make Brown Sugar Bacon
- Preheat oven to 350 degres F.
- Mix together brown sugar, paprika and pepper in a bowl.
- Place bacon strips on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
- Coat bacon on both sides with brown sugar mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until bacon is caramelized and crisp.
- Allow bacon to cool and then cut into bite size pieces.
It took great self control not to eat all of the bacon before putting it in the salad.
How to Make BLT Salad Dressing
This dressing is delicious on a BLT salad or any salad. If you don’t have the ingredients or the time you could use a store bought ranch dressing on the salad.
- In a small bowl, mix together mayo, maple syrup, mustard and lemon juice until smooth.
- Cover and keep refrigerated until ready to use.
How to Make BLT Salad
- In a large bowl, assemble all salad ingredients including lettuce, bacon, tomato, red onion, and croutons.
- Drizzle with creamy BLT Salad dressing and toss to coat.
Tips for the best BLT Salad
- The salad is best served immediately after adding dressing. You can prep the individual components ahead of time:
- Cook bacon and keep refrigerated until ready to use, reheat before serving.
- Chop tomatoes and onions. If using avocado wait to slice that before serving.
- Make dressing, cover and keep refrigerated until ready to use. The dressing will last for 5-7 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
- Wash lettuce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best lettuce to use for a BLT salad?
I like to use romaine but you can use any leafy green such as bibb or green leaf lettuce. I have also added in some baby spinach and a little iceberg.
If you love this BLT Salad be sure and check out more of my favorite salad recipes:
Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.
BLT Salad
Ingredients
- 1 head of romaine lettuce chopped (about 6 cups)
- 1/3 cup red onion chopped
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 2 cups croutons
- 6 slices bacon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tsp whole grain mustard
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Mix together brown sugar, paprika and pepper in a bowl.
- Place bacon on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Coat bacon on both sides with brown sugar mixture.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until bacon is caramelized and crisp. About 20-25 minutes. Time will vary depending on thickness of bacon.
- Allow to cool and then cut into bite size pieces.
- Combine lettuce, onions, tomatoes in a bowl. Add in bacon
Dressing
- Mix together mayo, maple syrup, mustard and lemon juice.
- Add desired amount of dressing to salad and toss to coat.
- Top with croutons
Liz says
Nice salad, Leigh Anne. Thanks so much.
capturing joy with kristen duke says
Carmelized bacon, yum!! Pinning!
auntie M says
Sounds great!
I’ll probably add avocado too or a little bleu cheese. Why stop at bacon! 🙂
Alicia says
Making this tonight!! THANK YOU!!
Leigh Anne says
Let me know how you like it Alicia!
Alicia says
I made this last night and it was delicious! Even my picky husband who thinks salad should only be a side dish, enjoyed it! The candied bacon and homemade dressing are what make it special. Thanks again for the inspiration. Keep these awesome recipes coming, Leigh Anne!
Rebecca says
This looks great! Especially that bacon. YUM!
Leigh Anne says
Thanks Rebecca – the bacon is amazing!!