Salads
Grilled BLT Salad
This grilled BLT salad turns the classic sandwich into a fresh, smoky meal. Crisp lettuce, charred tomatoes, and smoky bacon come together with a creamy dressing for a light but satisfying dish.
Grilled BLT Salad Recipe
Grilled BLT Salad
Recipe Notes
- Yield: Serves 4 to 6
- Method: Direct grilling
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (preferably Hellmann’s)
- 3 tablespoons buttermilk, heavy cream, or half and half
- 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar or rice vinegar
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 strips thick cut artisanal bacon
- 3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 hearts of romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and cut in half
- 4 slices French bread, thinly sliced crosswise
- 3 luscious, ripe red tomatoes, diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
Recipe Steps
Step 1: Make the dressing: Place the mayonnaise, buttermilk, and vinegar in the salad bowl and whisk to mix, adding salt and pepper to taste.
Step 2: Set up your grill for direct grilling and preheat to medium-high. Have one zone fire free for your safety zone. Brush and oil the grill grate.
Step 3: Grill the bacon until browned and crisp, 2 to 4 minutes per side, watching carefully. Move the bacon to the safety zone if flare-ups occur. Transfer the bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
Step 4: Lightly brush the cut sides of the lettuce with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the lettuce to brown the cut sides (rotate 90 degrees to lay on a crosshatch of grill marks), 1 to 2 minutes. Don’t overcook: the heart of the lettuce should remain raw. Arrange the lettuce grilled side up on a platter.
Step 5: Lightly brush the bread slices with olive oil on both sides. Grill until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Set aside.
Step 6: Arrange the diced tomatoes over the lettuce. Break the bread slices into 1/2 inch pieces over the lettuce. Crumble the bacon over the salad. Spoon the dressing on top and dust with chopped chives.
Recipe Tips
Frequently Asked Questions about Grilled BLT Salad
Yes, you can swap romaine for kale, butter lettuce, or even mixed greens. Just keep in mind the grilling time and texture will vary slightly.
Cook the bacon until crisp and drain it well on paper towels before adding it to the salad. Adding bacon just before serving keeps it crunchy.
