This simple BLT salad is one of our favourite weeknight dinners. Crisp bacon, fresh lettuce, juicy tomatoes and a creamy dressing tossed together for an easy, satisfying meal everyone loves.
Possibly one of the more simple recipes I have on this website, but if you are wanting a quick, delicious and healthy dinner option then look no further.
BLT Salad is made with bacon, lettuce and tomato as the base, along with red capsicum, croutons and finished with a ranch dressing. Of course you can add or omit anything you choose here.
Variations to the BLT Salad
This is also lovely with any other fresh salad vegetables, such as sweetcorn, cucumber, avocado etc. But we like it simple and tasty.
While this may not seem like a substantial meal one its own it really is, but it would be lovely as a side dish or taken along to a BBQ. We pile our plates high with this and find it is really filling.
How I make my BLT Salad with photos
I use a store bought ranch dressing, but you absolutely can make your own like this recipe here for Homemade Ranch Dressing by Barefoot in the Kitchen
Step 1 – Crispy Bacon
There are a few steps to prepare the salad, all of them easy and the first two can be done ahead. First you want to cook your bacon until crispy and the fat completely rendered and crisp.
Step 2 – Croutons
I do this in the oven, then cook my croutons, but you could cook them at the same time, or use an air fryer as well. You want the bacon to have fully cooled, the croutons take less time to cool.
Step 3 – Build the Salad
Salad is simply iceberg or romaine lettuce cut into bite size chunks, fresh diced tomatoes, finely diced red capsicum and crispy bacon!
I finish my salad with a little shaved parmesan or aged cheddar shaved over, you can omit this step or use any cheese you like. Tiny cubes of cheese are lovely too!Â
Step 4 – The Ranch Dressing
I use a store bought ranch dressing, but you can absolutely make your own. Start with a light coverage, as less is more here to allow all the flavours to shine through.
It can be made ahead, if you are making it ahead, perhaps leave the croutons in an airtight container so they can retain their crunch when added fresh.
More of my favourite salads
- Roasted Kumara Carrot & Orange Salad
- Sweet Corn Salad
- Creamy Broccoli & Bacon Salad
- Rocket, Feta & Strawberry Salad
- Classic Greek Salad
Onto the recipe for this delicious simple BLT Salad
BLT Salad with Creamy Ranch Dressing
Delicious simple salad with bacon, lettuce, tomato, capsicum, croutons and a creamy ranch dressing.
Ingredients
- 300 grams Rasher Bacon, 8-9 slices
- 4 Slices thick bread
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or butter)
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Oregano, dried
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- Pinch Pepper
- 300 grams Iceberg or Romaine Lettuce (3/4 head), roughly sliced
- 250 grams Tomatoes, cherry or normal, diced 1 cm
- 100 grams Red Capsicum, finely diced
- 3/4 Cup Ranch Dressing (I use store bought - see notes)
- To Garnish
- Shaved Parmesan or Cheese
- Finely Diced Parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C Bake
- In a large roasting dish add the rashers of bacon, and cook for 25 minutes total, turning 2-3 times, until the bacon is golden, crispy and sizzling on both sides
- Remove from the oven and set aside on a paper towel to absorb the bacon fat.
- In a separate large roasting dish or lipped tray add the diced bread, 1-2 cm square pieces, drizzle over the olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, salt and a pinch of pepper and stir to coat
- Bake in the preheated oven, stir every 2-3 minutes, until they are lightly golden and crisp on the outside - for a total of ten minutes. Remove from the oven to cool while you prepare the salad
- In a very large bowl add the rinsed and cut lettuce, sliced into large bite sized pieces
- Add to this halved cherry tomatoes & finely diced red capsicum. Then cut the cooled bacon into 1-2cm pieces and add to the bowl along with the cooled croutons.
- Pour over the ranch dressing and stir gently to combine. It is often easier to do this step with clean hands!
- Shave over some parmesan or cheese with a vegetable peeler and if using, sprinkle over some finely diced parsley.
- If serving straight away, spoon a heaped serving in bowls, or store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- The croutons will soften over time, so if making for later in the day, either keep all elements separate until ready to serve or at least hold back the croutons in an airtight container until ready to stir through if you want that crunch!
- Enjoy!
Notes
What ranch dressing should I use?
I use a store bought ranch dressing, just use your favoirite. Or you can make your own at home, like this recipe
You can add more dressing if you like, I prefer it to have a light coating rather than a thick creamy one, to ensure all the flavours shine through.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 444Total Fat 37gSaturated Fat 9gUnsaturated Fat 28gCholesterol 57mgSodium 1245mgCarbohydrates 11gFiber 2gSugar 4gProtein 19g
JustAMumNZ.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although justamumnz.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
I hope you love this recipe, it really is one of the few that all of us love (except my tomato & capsicum hating son 😉 ). Such a great dinner idea, let me know in the comments when you make it.
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Happy Cooking
Anna xo
Leanne says
I like the sound of it, as i love a BLT sandwich. Will definitely try it. Can you use normal cheese instead of Parmesan though? : )
justamumnz says
Absolutely. Any cheese is fine 🙂