BLT Salad Recipe (And How to Make Crispy Bacon)

For a simple yet delectable salad option suitable for both lunch and dinner, our BLT Salad is an absolute winner. Indulge in the classic combination of bacon, lettuce, and tomato, resulting in a dish that never fails to impress.

For more summer salad recipes, check out our flavorful Greek Pasta Salad, fresh Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salad, creamy Caprese Macaroni Salad, and picnic-ready Easy Ambrosia Salad. Or, surrender to my fabulous BLT Potato & Avocado Salad!

Why This BLT Salad Recipe Is A Keeper!

Reducing carb intake is not limited to beach season. A delicious lettuce, bacon, and tomato salad is so satisfying you won’t miss the bread! This salad recipe is perfect for summer, you’ll be making it over and over!

• It comes together effortlessly, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
• No-fuss oven bacon makes crispy bacon a cinch, and you can prepare everything else while it’s cooking! (No grease-splattered stove either!)
• Whip up the creamy dressing with a few simple ingredients.
• Add grilled chicken for a complete and satisfying dinner option, especially during warmer months.
• Serve it as a satisfying main course or a delightful side dish, customize the ingredients according to your taste.

Ingredients For A Mouthwatering BLT Salad

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Bacon – any bacon or bacon substitute you prefer: cooked, drained, cooled, and crumbled. 
• Mayonnaise – creamy, thick base for homemade dressing. Or you can use plain Greek yogurt.
• Milk – is used primarily to thin the BLT salad dressing, so use what you have on hand, e.g., whole, 2%, fat-free…
• Garlic Cloves –  minced or powdered.
• Dried Dill –  an aromatic herb with various flavors from grassy-sweet-licorice to minty-lemon-parsley. It’s the distinct flavor of the original ranch dressing.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper – to taste.
• Romaine Lettuce – rinsed, dried, and shredded. You can also purchase a precut package of romaine to save some time.
• Tomatoes –  chopped or halved cherry or grape tomatoes.
• Seasoned Croutons – add crunchy texture and flavor. Elevate your croutons with a delicious homemade croutons recipe. 
• Avocado Slices & Fresh Shredded Parmesan – are both optional.

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How To Make A BLT Salad With Avocado

This sensational summer salad is simple and easy to make; a hit with BLT lovers! Grab a large skillet, tongs, a large bowl, and a blender or small food processor, and let’s make some smiling faces and happy tummies!!

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Cook bacon until crisp.* Drain, cool, and crumble.
2. Blend BLT salad dressing ingredients until smooth.
3. Toss BLT ingredients with dressing and top with avocado and Parmesan.
4. Dig into fantastic flavor!

How To Cook Bacon For A BLT (Sandwich or Salad)

Discover the secrets to achieving irresistibly crispy bacon as we share various cooking methods, including stovetop, oven, microwave, and air fryer, each delivering its own unique and delicious results.

1. How To Cook Crispy Bacon On The Stove:

• To cook crispy bacon on a stovetop, place the bacon slices in a cold skillet* and heat it over medium heat. Cook the bacon until it turns crispy and browned, flipping it occasionally to ensure even cooking.
• TIP: Harness the power of a cast iron skillet when cooking bacon on the stove. Its excellent heat retention and even distribution make it the ideal tool for achieving that crispy and delicious bacon perfection.

2. How To Cook Bacon In The Oven:

1. Heat your oven to 400° F and line 2 rimmed baking sheets with aluminum foil and place oven-safe metal baking racks on the foil-lined pans. (note: each pan will cook 1/2 pound of bacon)
2. Lay bacon strips on the baking racks. They can be touching, but do not overlap.
3. Place bacon-lined pans in preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes for thin crispy bacon (15-20 minutes for medium bacon and 20-25 minutesfor thick-cut bacon).
4. Carefully remove the pans of bacon when they reach your desired doneness. Allow the bacon to cool for a few minutes then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. You can use a few more paper towels to blot excess grease from the bacon.

Chef’s Tip: Don’t have metal baking racks? No problem! Simply line your rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and lay the bacon directly on the parchment paper (making sure not to overlap slices) and bake as directed above. The bacon crisps nicely in the grease, just as cooking on the stove without the mess!

3. How To Cook Bacon In The Microwave:

Microwave bacon is a quick fix when you’re in a hurry. Use a microwave-safe plate with paper towels, arrange the bacon slices, and cover with another paper towel. 

To crisp bacon and cook evenly, microwave bacon for 3 minutes on medium heat; check and rotate slices if necessary. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes; if more time is needed, add 30-second intervals.

4. How to Cook Air Fryer Bacon:

You can line an air fryer with disposable liners or foil to catch drippings and easy cleanup. Arrange bacon in the air fryer basket, cutting to fit if necessary, and cook at 350°F for about 8 minutes. Check bacon for browning after 5 or six minutes, and continue until crispy.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best way to cook crispy bacon without burning?

Cooking bacon slowly with lower heat will render the fat crispy without burning. To ensure even cooking, let the bacon warm for at least 15 minutes on the counter before cooking.

Is oven-cooked bacon better than pan-fried bacon?

Cooking bacon in the oven or pan-frying can produce excellent bacon; the key is taking the chill off and cooking slowly. The advantage to oven-cooked bacon is you are free while it bakes, and cleanup is a breeze!

How do I keep the avocado from turning brown in a salad?

Coat avocado slices or chunks in advance with an acid like lemon or lime juice, vinegar, or a citric acid product like Fruit Fresh. Transport separately in a zip-top bag with the air squeezed out, or try a stretch & seal produce saver.

Why does bacon burn, but the fat isn’t cooked?

The reason bacon can burn with undercooked fat is that the lean portion contains water and heats more quickly. Fats do not conduct heat like water, so it takes longer to cook when bacon is cooked cold from the fridge.

Recipe Tips

• Avoid cooking bacon too quickly; high heat sears the fat, leaving a fatty, chewy center, and cooking longer would burn it. Low and slow melts/renders the bacon fat for perfectly crisp bacon.
• Use thin or medium-cut bacon for extra crispy bacon.
• A salad spinner is arguably one of the best ways to “dry” wet lettuce and retain crispness. This kitchen wonder gadget pulls water off of produce using centrifugal force.
• Want to keep cut romaine lettuce crisp for up to a week? Cover freshly cut lettuce in cold water and put in the fridge for an hour or longer. Drain well, pat with paper towels or spin, and place in an airtight container.
• Grape tomatoes taste more like regular tomatoes.
• No blender or food processor? Use a lidded jar to shake dressing ingredients until well-blended

How To Store This Salad

• Store the cut lettuce, crispy bacon, and diced tomato ingredients separately until ready to pull the BLT salad together. Slice the avocado and add the dressing when serving.
• You can portion BLT salad ingredients in an airtight container the night before for lunches; package salad dressing separately.
• The dressing should be kept in a jar or container with a lid in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Like This Recipe?

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!

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BLT Salad

Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

For a simple yet delectable salad option suitable for both lunch and dinner, our BLT Salad is an absolute winner. Indulge in the classic combination of bacon, lettuce, and tomato, with homemade dressing resulting in a dish that never fails to impress.

Ingredients

• 1 pound bacon
• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup milk (or plain Greek yogurt)
• 2-4 cloves minced garlic ( or ½ -1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• ½ teaspoon dried dill
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 head romaine lettuce, rinsed, dried, and shredded
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped (or 2 cups grape tomatoes)
• 2 cups seasoned croutons (or homemade croutons)
• 1 medium avocado, (firm but ripe), sliced into bite size pieces (optional)
• Parmesean cheese (optional)

Instructions

1. Brown bacon until crisp in a large skillet.  Drain, and set aside to cool.
2. In a blender or small food processor, combine mayonnaise, milk, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper.  Blend until smooth and pour into a lidded jar. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
3. Crumble bacon. Combine lettuce, tomatoes, bacon, and croutons in a large bowl. Toss with dressing and serve immediately with avocado and Parmesan if desired.

Notes

• See blog post for how to cook bacon in the oven, on the stove, microwave or air-fryer.
• No blender or food processor? Use a lidded jar to shake dressing ingredients until well blended
• Store the cut lettuce, crispy bacon, and diced tomato ingredients separately until ready to pull the BLT salad together. Slice the avocado and add the dressing when serving.

• You can portion BLT salad ingredients in an airtight container the night before for lunches; package salad dressing separately.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 640
Total Fat: 50g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 35g
Cholesterol: 88mg
Sodium: 1659mg
Carbohydrates: 17g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 4g
Protein: 30g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.