Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with the ultimate gourmet salad that will make your mouth water and your dinner guests beg for seconds! This Bacon Blue Cheese Salad isn't just another boring leafy dish - it's a flavor explosion that combines crispy bacon, tangy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts into a culinary masterpiece that transforms ordinary greens into an extraordinary dining experience. Whether you're looking to impress at a dinner party or simply elevate your weeknight meal, this recipe promises to be your new go-to salad that's anything but ordinary.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing mixed greens thoroughly and spinning or patting dry to remove excess moisture.
- Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown, approximately 6-8 minutes. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain excess grease and cool.
- While bacon is cooling, toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Crumble the cooled bacon into small, bite-sized pieces using your hands or a knife.
- Slice cherry tomatoes in half and thinly slice red onion using a sharp knife.
- In a large salad bowl, spread mixed greens as the base layer.
- Evenly distribute crumbled bacon, blue cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion over the greens.
- Sprinkle toasted walnuts across the salad for added crunch and flavor.
- Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette over the salad just before serving, ensuring even coverage.
- Gently toss all ingredients to combine and coat with dressing.
- Serve immediately to maintain the crispness of greens and freshness of ingredients.
Tips
- • For the crispiest bacon, use a cast-iron skillet and cook slowly over medium heat • Toast walnuts just until they become fragrant to prevent burning • Pat mixed greens completely dry to ensure dressing clings perfectly • Use high-quality blue cheese for maximum flavor impact • Serve immediately after dressing to maintain the salad's crisp texture • For a lighter version, you can substitute turkey bacon or use less bacon • Chill your serving plates beforehand to keep the salad extra fresh • If preparing ahead, keep dressing and ingredients separate until just before serving
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 35mg
