BLT Salad
A classic BLT salad, where crispy bacon meets fresh romaine and ripe tomatoes, topped with homemade croutons and a tangy dressing. Perfect for a hearty lunch or a light dinner.
Cook time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon
- 4 ounce rustic country-style bread
- 0.33 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 0.33 cup olive oil
- 0 sugar pinch
- 0.25 bunch chives
- 2 hearts romaine hearts
- 1 pound tomatoes bite-size wedges or slices
- 1 large avocado
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange 8 bacon slices side by side on a small rimmed baking sheet, overlapping slightly if necessary.
- Bake bacon, removing sheet from oven and turning slices with tongs halfway through, until slices are deep reddish brown with crispy edges, 25–35 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 425°F.
- While bacon is cooking, cut crusts off bread and tear into 1-inch pieces.
- Transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate and blot with more paper towels. Reserve baking sheet with bacon fat.
- Scatter bread on reserved baking sheet and toss with tongs until bread is evenly coated in bacon fat.
- Bake bread at 425°F, tossing once halfway through, until pieces are golden all over and crisp, 10–15 minutes. Let cool.
- Whisk 1/3 cup mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then slowly stream in 1/3 cup oil, whisking until dressing is thick and emulsified. Whisk in a pinch of sugar.
- Thinly slice enough chives to measure 2 tablespoons and whisk into the dressing. Slice remaining chives into 1-inch pieces and set aside.
- Halve 2 romaine hearts lengthwise, trim off root ends, then cut each half in half again crosswise. Arrange pieces on a large platter or divide among individual plates.
- Season lettuce with salt and pepper and drizzle about a third of the dressing over top. Arrange tomatoes, avocado, and croutons over and around lettuce pieces.
- Break up cooled bacon with your hands into rough 1-inch pieces and scatter over salad. Drizzle with remaining dressing and sprinkle with reserved chives to serve.