Savory BLT Salad Bowl: A Deconstructed Classic
Move over, classic BLT sandwich! We're taking all the best parts of that beloved bacon, lettuce, and tomato combo and turning it into a vibrant, crunchy, and utterly satisfying salad bowl. This isn't just a side salad—it's a main event! It’s savory, smoky, and much lighter, making it perfect for a quick lunch or a refreshing dinner.
Why You'll Love This Salad
This BLT Salad Bowl has everything you crave:
The Crunch: Crisp romaine lettuce and toasted croutons (or even toasted bread pieces if you’re feeling extra true to the sandwich!).
The Smoke: Perfectly cooked, thick-cut bacon.
The Freshness: Juicy cherry tomatoes and a bright, zesty dressing.
The Creaminess: Our simple, homemade dressing ties all the flavors together in the best way.
Ready to dig in? Here's the recipe!
Ingredients
For the Salad
8 cups chopped Romaine lettuce
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
8 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced (optional addition)
For the Creamy Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prep the Bacon
Cook your bacon to your desired crispness. We recommend baking it for a hands-off approach! Once done, let it cool slightly and then crumble it into pieces. Set aside.
2. Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise (or yogurt), olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Season generously with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust for seasoning or thickness. If it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of water or milk.
3. Assemble the Bowl
In a large bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce and halved tomatoes. If using, add the sliced red onion.
4. Dress and Serve
Drizzle about half of the dressing over the lettuce and toss gently to coat. Divide the salad among four bowls.
Top each bowl evenly with the crumbled bacon and croutons. If you are using them, add the sliced hard-boiled eggs. Serve immediately with the remaining dressing on the side.
Pro-Tips for Perfection
Don't Over-Dress: Only dress the lettuce right before serving to keep it crisp. Soggy lettuce is a crime!
Toasted Bread: For an even closer nod to the sandwich, skip the croutons and simply toast slices of your favorite bread, cube them, and toss them on the salad.
Add Avocado: A creamy, sliced avocado would be an amazing addition to this bowl, adding healthy fats and extra flavor.
Don't forget to save this recipe! You can find a printable version here: File. Enjoy your deconstructed BLT!