This BLT salad is a fresh and satisfying take on the classic bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich. The crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crunchy lettuce are all brought together with a rich and tangy homemade creamy ranch dressing made with paleo mayonnaise and fresh herbs. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a hearty dinner salad, this recipe is perfect for those who love the flavors of a BLT but want to skip the bread.
Ingredients:
For the Creamy Ranch Dressing:
- ¾ cup of paleo-friendly mayonnaise (like avocado oil-based mayo)
- 2-4 tablespoons coconut milk, unsweetened cashew milk, or water (to thin)
- 1 ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill (or ¼ teaspoon dried dill)
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼-½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Prepare the Creamy Ranch Dressing:
- Mix the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the paleo mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of coconut or cashew milk (start with less and add more to reach your desired consistency), and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
- Season the Dressing: Add the fresh dill, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Stir everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or thinning with additional milk or water as desired.
- Chill the Dressing: Place the dressing in the fridge to chill while you prepare the rest of the salad, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Assemble the BLT Salad:
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Cook the bacon until crispy and drain it on a paper towel. Once cooled, crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Wash and chop the lettuce, and slice the tomatoes.
- Combine: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and crispy bacon crumbles.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the creamy ranch dressing over the salad and toss until the ingredients are evenly coated. You can serve the dressing on the side for individual portions as well.
Serve:
- Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish the salad with extra fresh herbs or additional black pepper if desired.
Conclusion:
This BLT salad offers all the delicious elements of a BLT sandwich, elevated with a fresh and homemade creamy ranch dressing. The tanginess of the apple cider vinegar and the herbs in the dressing perfectly complement the crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and refreshing lettuce. This salad is an easy, healthy, and flavorful dish perfect for any occasion.
BLT Salad with Creamy Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup of paleo-friendly mayonnaise like avocado oil-based mayo
- 2-4 tablespoons coconut milk unsweetened cashew milk, or water (to thin)
- 1 ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or ¼ teaspoon dried dill
- ⅛ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼-½ teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Creamy Ranch Dressing:
- Mix the Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the paleo mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of coconut or cashew milk (start with less and add more to reach your desired consistency), and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
- Season the Dressing: Add the fresh dill, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to the mixture. Stir everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or thinning with additional milk or water as desired.
- Chill the Dressing: Place the dressing in the fridge to chill while you prepare the rest of the salad, allowing the flavors to meld together.
Assemble the BLT Salad:
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Cook the bacon until crispy and drain it on a paper towel. Once cooled, crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Wash and chop the lettuce, and slice the tomatoes.
- Combine: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and crispy bacon crumbles.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the creamy ranch dressing over the salad and toss until the ingredients are evenly coated. You can serve the dressing on the side for individual portions as well.
Serve:
- Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish the salad with extra fresh herbs or additional black pepper if desired.