There’s nothing like a cool, crisp salad on a hot summer day. They’re family-friendly and great for summer potlucks and gatherings. Summer is also the perfect time for them, as gardens and farmers markets are bursting with produce.
We don’t eat a lot of bread around here, so I wanted to recreate the classic BLT sandwich flavors in a salad with lots of greens. Salad greens with crispy bacon, sweet cherry tomatoes, and a tangy lemon mustard vinaigrette… it doesn’t get much fresher than this!
BLT Salad: A Classic Reinvented
What is it about a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich? It’s so simple, yet it’s a hit every time. But what if instead of a thin slice of tomato and a lettuce leaf, you could pile it full of healthy veggies?
A BLT salad for dinner is a great way to use garden produce. You can use any leafy greens you like. I like a little arugula and baby spinach for the B vitamins and iron, and some romaine lettuce for crunch.
Not a confident gardener yet? The cherry tomatoes for this recipe are a favorite garden treasure for kids and are so easy to grow. All you need is a nice big pot, some soil, a stick and string, and sunshine! Kids love watching them ripen and their natural sweetness is perfect in this salad. Even if you don’t have much of a garden, they make a great potted plant for a balcony or porch.
BLT toppings
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 will leave you refreshed and satisfied!
If you like your bacon crispy, go for a regular or thin slice. If you really want that bacon flavor, try thick-cut bacon! Here are some more topping ideas:
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Chopped fresh chives
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Grated cheddar cheese (instead of goat cheese)
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Sliced red onion
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Homemade Grain Free Croutons
Lunch to take away
Salads are the perfect busy-day dinners because they’re usually quick and easy to make. Add some sliced chicken for an easy, protein-packed meal. Or throw some meat on the grill and serve this BLT salad as a side.
I like to make this ahead of time in a mason jar (another handy use) for great on-the-go salad containers. Place the wet ingredients (tomatoes, dressing, avocado) in the bottom. Add the lettuce leaves on top and put the lid on. When you’re ready to eat, shake the jar to mix everything together or dump it out onto a plate.
You’ll notice in the instructions that I divide everything evenly between four different plates. If you prefer, you can just throw everything in one big bowl and serve it that way. Not everyone gets the exact same amount of toppings this way though!
BLTs with avocado?
Absolutely! Because avocados are both delicious and healthy.
Avocados are one of the most versatile ingredients. They’re delicious on their own, but mild enough to easily pair with other flavors. You’ll most often find them mashed into guacamole, but they’re also delicious in soups and salads. I love using them in this egg-free mayo or even throwing them into a smoothie!
Avocados are so nutritious and creamy that they make a great replacement for eggs or dairy in some recipes. They’re also high in fiber, potassium, B vitamins, and healthy fats.
The decoration
Store-bought salad dressings often contain 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 is also cheaper to make my own salad dressings because I already have most of the common ingredients on hand, including olive oil, various vinegars, and herbs.
Instead of making dressings from scratch every time I need them, I save time by making double or triple batches. (Tip: use dried herbs, they stay fresh the longest.) I store them in a mason jar with a lid so I always have them on hand.
The vinaigrette for this salad is a combination of lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and a little salt and pepper. It’s quite spicy and would also work well as a marinade for chicken or fish. Shake it into a mason jar and refrigerate any leftovers for another day.
Check out this post for some of my other salad dressing recipes.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
I used to be obsessed with store-bought ranch dressing. While I love this salad with the tangy vinaigrette, it also tastes great with ranch dressing. Instead of buttermilk or sour cream, I use Greek yogurt in my version for a protein boost. So if you’re not a vinaigrette fan, try it with ranch dressing!
BLT salad recipe with avocado
Whip up this salad in minutes for a quick lunch or dinner option. Take it to work, the back patio, or your next family gathering.
- 12 us bacon strips
- 8 cups salad vegetables
- 2 cups Cherry tomatoes (or grape tomatoes)
- 2 avocados (cut)
- 4 us goat cheese (optional)
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Cut the bacon into bite-sized pieces.
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In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy.
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While the bacon is frying, divide the lettuce among four plates.
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Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and divide them over the plates.
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Drain the cooked bacon on a plate lined with paper towels and set aside to cool.
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Divide the avocados, goat cheese (if using) and bacon evenly among the plates.
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To make the vinaigrette, combine the lemon juice, honey, mustard, salt and pepper in a preserving jar.
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Shake to mix.
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Gradually add the olive oil.
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Drizzle each salad with 2 tablespoons of vinaigrette, serve and enjoy!
Nutritional Facts
BLT salad recipe with avocado
Amount per serving (1 salad with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette)
Calories 775
Calories from fat 612
% Daily Value*
Fat 68 grams105%
Saturated fat 19g119%
Trans fat 0.1 g
Polyunsaturated fat 9g
Monounsaturated fat 36g
Cholesterol 69mg23%
Sodium 911mg40%
Potassium 993 mg28%
Carbohydrates 25 grams8%
Fiber 8g33%
Sugar 12g13%
Egg white 20 grams40%
Vitamin A 1749IU35%
Vitamin C 52mg63%
Calcium 80 mg8%
Iron 3 mg17%
*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
You can make extra vinaigrette and keep it in the fridge to save time on your next salad. It’s also great as a marinade for chicken or fish!
Other summer salad recipes
Looking for more delicious salad combinations? Here are some of our favorites:
What is your family’s favorite summer salad? Let me know below!
