BLT Sandwich Salad
This is one of the best salads I’ve ever eaten. And actually, Mike declared that it was, in fact, the best salad he’d ever eaten! So really, that’s all the endorsement you need, right? 🙂 I’ve had this recipe for BLT Sandwich Salads in my “to make” pile for about a year. I have no idea what took me so long to make it, but it was definitely worth the wait. As you can guess from the name, it tastes like a BLT sandwich, but in salad form. Actually it tastes even better than the sandwich because of all the little extras thrown in. The bacon has a nice layer of brown sugar and spice caramelized on it, the croutons are freshly toasted on the stove, and the dressing is a combination of seemingly simple ingredients turned into something amazingly delicious. Add it all together, and this is one salad we couldn’t stop eating.
BLT Sandwich Salad
Ingredients:
For the salad:
1 head romaine lettuce, thinly sliced (about 6 cups)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
3 Roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
4 slices white bread
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
For the bacon:
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
Grated zest of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon black peppercorns, crushed in a bag with a mallet
6 strips center-cut bacon
6 sprigs fresh thyme
For the dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup
4 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the lettuce, onion and tomatoes in a large bowl; set aside.
Meanwhile, cut the bread into crouton-size cubes. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bread cubes and toast, tossing, until golden, about 6 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Make the bacon: Mix the brown sugar, paprika, lemon zest and crushed pepper in a small bowl. Add the bacon and press to coat on both sides. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; place the thyme sprigs on the parchment paper, then lay a strip of bacon on top of each sprig. Bake until the bacon is caramelized and crisp, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly on the baking sheet. Cut the bacon into bite-size bits using scissors; add to the bowl with the lettuce. Discard the thyme.
Make the dressing: Whisk the mayonnaise, syrup, mustard and lemon juice in a medium bowl. Add the dressing to the salad and toss. (You may not need to use all of the dressing.) Sprinkle the croutons on top and serve immediately.
from Food Network Magazine, October 2011
Welcome! I'm Megan and it's my hope that here you'll find food that has been made with love and recipes that are shared with joy. Thanks for stopping by! 
I can’t stop eyeing the bacon! 🙂
Oh my goodness, Megan! I can’t decide which part I like the best…the brown sugar on the bacon is perfect, but the maple in the dressing sounds amazing. So perfect for a bacon salad. I can’t wait to try this!
This looks gorgeous! I have lots of tomatoes to use up, and a party to go to with a tomato theme – this is perfect!
How many servings is it? 2 or 4ish?
Hi Liz…I know I already told you this, but it is supposed to be 4 servings. 🙂
Great idea! I’d top it with roasted tomatoes, since that’s my new thing. But, this salad looks incredible. The bacon & maple combination likely takes this salad over the top.
mmm, i made a similar salad last summer. it was DELISH. but i didn’t season the bacon…will have to try that next time!
You had me at BACON 🙂
mmmm……. yum.
Oh man–this looks like something I could eat daily! Yum!
BLTs were a standard monday night meal at home when i was little. now that i’m a little older, i think making one of my favorite sandwiches into a SALAD makes much more sense! And I’d prefer it anyway. love my veggies 🙂 So creative Megan!
Yep. I would gladly eat this every single day. It looks so amazing!
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