BLT Salad With Maple Dijon Dressing
An apple juice and Dijon vinaigrette adds zesty flavor to this simple BLT salad. Add a handful of toasted croutons, and enjoy!
A BLT salad takes everything you love about the classic sandwich and turns it into a fresh, satisfying main or side. Crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, smoky bacon, and hard-boiled eggs make it hearty enough to stand on its own, while still feeling light and easy.
The maple Dijon dressing is what pulls it all together. It’s tangy, slightly sweet, and bold enough to stand up to the bacon without overpowering the vegetables. This is a great everyday salad that comes together quickly but doesn’t feel boring.
What You’ll Like About This Recipe
Classic BLT flavors. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato come together in a fresh, fork-friendly form.
Balanced dressing. Maple syrup softens the bite of Dijon and vinegar without making the salad sweet.
Easy and flexible. Simple ingredients you can adjust based on what you have on hand.
Ingredient Notes
- Olive oil: Use a good-quality oil since it makes up most of the dressing.
- Red wine vinegar: Adds brightness and tang to balance the bacon and eggs.
- Maple syrup: Just enough to round out the acidity; honey can be used if needed.
- Dijon mustard: Provides sharpness and helps emulsify the dressing.
- Garlic: Grated garlic blends smoothly into the dressing.
- Lettuce: Romaine adds crunch, while mixed greens make it softer and more delicate.
- Bacon: Cook until crisp so it holds texture in the salad.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar works especially well here.
- Hard-boiled eggs: Add richness and make the salad more filling.
Steps to Make BLT Salad With a Maple Dijon Dressing
- Combine the dressing ingredients in a jar or blender and mix until emulsified.
- Chill the dressing until ready to use.
- Arrange the lettuce on plates or in a serving bowl.
- Top with tomatoes, bacon, and shredded cheese.
- Slice the eggs and add them to the salad.
- Drizzle with dressing just before serving.
Tips
- Cook the bacon ahead of time and refrigerate it so the salad comes together quickly.
- Dress the salad lightly at first, then add more as needed.
- Let the dressing sit for a few minutes before using so the flavors blend.
- Add the tomatoes last to keep the greens crisp.
Recipe Variations
- Add croutons. Toasted bread cubes give the salad extra crunch and make it more filling.
- Swap the cheese. Blue cheese or Swiss works well in place of cheddar.
- Use spinach. Baby spinach gives the salad a softer texture and mild flavor.
- Make it heartier. Add grilled chicken or turkey for a main-dish salad.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a light lunch or dinner with crusty bread.
- Pair with a cup or bowl of soup for a simple, satisfying meal.
- Add avocado slices for extra richness.
- Choose this salad as a fresh side for burgers or grilled meats.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store the dressing separately in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Refrigerate: Keep prepared salad ingredients covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
Refresh: Toss the greens briefly before serving and add dressing just before eating.
BLT Salad With a Maple Dijon Dressing
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
For the Salad:
- 2 cups shredded lettuce, romaine, or mixed greens
- 2 medium fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced or cut into wedges
- 4 strips bacon, cooked and diced
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 large hard boiled eggs
Instructions
- Combine: In a jar or container of a blender, combine the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, pepper, and salt. Drizzle the oil into the vinegar mixture while whisking or blending constantly. Refrigerate the dressing until serving time.
- Prepare the Salad: Layer the shredded or chopped lettuce, the sliced tomatoes, bacon pieces, and shredded Cheddar cheese. Slice the eggs and arrange a few slices on each salad.
- Finish and Serve: Just before serving, drizzle the salad with maple Dijon dressing.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
