There's nothing like a fresh, crunchy salad on a warm summer day. They are family friendly and great for hangouts and summer dates. Summer is the perfect time for them too, as the gardens and farmers markets they are bursting with produce.
We don't make one a lot of bread here, so I wanted to recreate the classic flavors of the BLT sandwich in the form of a salad filled with vegetables. Salad greens topped with crispy bacon, sweet cherry tomatoes and a tangy lemon mustard vinaigrette… it doesn’t get much fresher!
BLT Salad: A Classic Reinvented
What's the deal with a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich? It's so simple, but it hits the spot every time. However, instead of a thin slice of tomato and a leaf of lettuce, what if you could stack it with good-for-you vegetables?
Throwing together a BLT salad for dinner is a great way to use up garden produce. You can use any greens you like. I like some arugula and baby spinach for their B vitamins and iron, and some romaine lettuce for crunch.
Not much safe gardener yet? The cherry tomatoes for this recipe are a favorite garden treasure for kids and very easy to grow. All you need is a nice big pot, some dirt, a peg and string and some sunshine! Kids love watching them cook and their natural sweetness is perfect in this salad. Even if you don't have much of a yard, they make a good potted plant for the balcony or porch.
BLT Stuffing
Top the salad with some sliced avocado and creamy goat cheese to mimic the mayo of a traditional BLT. This salad lets you enjoy the flavors of a BLT without the bread and leaves you feeling refreshed and satisfied!
If you like your bacon on the crisper side, then choose a regular or thin slice. If you really want to pack a bacon flavor punch, try thick cut bacon instead! Here are some other top ideas:
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Fresh chopped chives
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Grated cheddar cheese (instead of goat cheese)
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Chopped red onion
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Home made grain-free croutons
Lunch to go
Salads make perfect dinners for busy days as they are usually quick and easy to prepare. Add some shredded chicken for an easy, protein-packed meal. Or grill some meat and serve this BLT salad as a side dish.
I like to make this ahead of time in a mason jar (just another one of those useful uses) for excellent salad containers. Just put the wet ingredients (tomatoes, sauce, avocado) at the bottom. Follow with salad greens on top and lid. When you're ready to eat, simply shake the jar to mix everything or pour onto a plate.
You'll notice in the instructions that I divide everything equally into four different dishes. If you want, you can just throw everything in a big bowl and serve it that way. However, not everyone can get the same amount of refills this way!
Avocado BLT?
Absolutely! Because avocados are both delicious and healthy.
Avocados are one of the most versatile ingredients. They're delicious on their own, but they're also mild enough to pair easily with other flavors. You'll usually find them baked into guacamole, but they're also delicious in soups and salads. I love using them in this mayonnaise without eggs or even throw some into a smoothie!
Avocados are so nutrient dense and creamy that make a good substitute for eggs or milk in some recipes. They are also high in fiber, potassium, B vitamins and healthy fats.
Clothing
Store-bought salad dressings often have highly refined oils and artificial additives. By making them at home, I know my family is getting a good dose of healthy fats and real food ingredients.
It's also cheaper to make my own salad dressings since I already have most of the common ingredients on hand. These include olive oil, a variety of vinegars and herbs.
Instead of making outfits from scratch every time I need them, I save time by making double or triple batches. (Tip: use dried herbs to keep them fresh longer.) I store them in a jar with a lid and have them on hand when I need them.
The vinaigrette for this salad is a combination of lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey and a pinch of salt and pepper. It's quite tasty and would also work well as a marinade for chicken or fish. Shake in a jar and keep the leftovers in the fridge for another day.
Check out this post for some of my others Recipe for salad dressing.
Farm made clothing
I used to have quite an obsession with store bought farm clothes. As much as I love this tangy vinaigrette salad, it also tastes good farm dressing. Instead of using buttermilk or sour cream, my version uses Greek yogurt for a protein boost. So if you're not a fan of vinaigrette, try ranch instead!
Avocado BLT Salad Recipe
Throw this salad together in minutes for a quick lunch or dinner option. Take it with you to work, the backyard, or the next family gathering.
- 12 oz ham strips
- 8 CUPS salad greens
- 2 CUPS cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- 2 avocado (cut)
- 4 oz goat cheese (optional)
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Cut the ham into bite-sized pieces.
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In a medium skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp.
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While the bacon is cooking, divide the salad greens among four plates.
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Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and divide evenly between the plates.
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Drain the cooked bacon on a paper towel-lined plate and set aside to cool.
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Divide avocado, goat cheese if using, and bacon evenly among plates.
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To make the vinaigrette, combine the lemon juice, honey, mustard, salt and pepper in a jar.
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Shake to combine.
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Gradually pour in the olive oil.
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Pour 2 tablespoons of vinaigrette over each salad, serve and enjoy!
Nutrition facts
Avocado BLT Salad Recipe
Amount per serving (1 salad with 2 tablespoons of vinaigrette)
Calories 775
Calories from fat 612
% Daily Value*
Fat 68 g105%
Saturated fat 19 g119%
Trans fat 0.1 g
Unsaturated fat 9 g
Monounsaturated fat 36 g
cholesterol 69 mg23%
Sodium 911 mg40%
potassium 993 mg28%
Carbohydrates 25 g8%
Fiber 8 g33%
Sugar 12 g13%
Protein 20 g40%
Vitamin A 1749 IU35%
Vitamin C 52 mg63%
Calcium 80 mg8%
Iron 3 mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
You can make extra vinaigrette and store it in the fridge to save time on the next salad. It's also delicious as a marinade for chicken or fish!
Other summer salad recipes
Looking for some more delicious salad combinations? Here are some of our favorites:
What is your family's favorite summer salad? Let me know below!
