Classic BLT Salad with Blue Cheese: Your Ultimate Summer Recipe

Embrace the vibrant flavors of summer with this spectacular **Classic BLT Salad**. It takes all the beloved components of the iconic BLT sandwich – crisp bacon, fresh lettuce, and juicy, ripe tomatoes – and transforms them into a refreshing, deconstructed salad. This isn’t just any salad; it’s a celebration of seasonal ingredients, elevated by the creamy tang of blue cheese dressing and crumbles. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, enjoying a light lunch, or seeking the perfect accompaniment to your grilled favorites, this BLT salad is destined to become your new warm-weather staple. Garnish it with fresh chives, and prepare for a taste sensation that captures the essence of summer in every bite.

What is a BLT (and Its Salad Transformation)?

For those unfamiliar with the classic, a BLT, an acronym for Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato, is a beloved American sandwich. It typically features layers of crispy fried bacon, cool, crisp lettuce, and perfectly ripe, seasoned tomatoes, all nestled between slices of toasted white bread generously spread with mayonnaise. It’s a simple combination that yields incredibly satisfying flavors and textures, a true summer favorite for many.

The origins of the BLT are somewhat debated, with some food historians tracing it back to the early 20th century as an English tea sandwich, while others believe it’s a distant relative of the Classic Turkey Club Sandwich. The acronym “BLT” itself is thought to have gained popularity in diners during the 1940s and 50s as a quick way for cooks and waitstaff to order the sandwich. Regardless of its precise history, the BLT has endured as a culinary icon.

Our **BLT Salad** takes this timeless concept and reimagines it for a lighter, bread-free experience. By deconstructing the sandwich and presenting it as a vibrant salad, we not only cut down on carbs but also allow the peak-season ingredients to truly shine. The addition of creamy blue cheese dressing and crumbles provides an extra “pop” of flavor, a rich, tangy counterpoint that complements the smoky bacon and sweet tomatoes perfectly. You won’t miss the bread, we promise – the layers of texture and intense flavors are more than enough to satisfy your cravings!

Why You Will Love This BLT Salad Recipe

There are countless reasons why this **BLT Salad** stands out as a truly spectacular warm-weather dish. It’s more than just a salad; it’s an experience that celebrates simplicity and quality ingredients. Here’s why you’ll fall in love with it:

• Peak Seasonal Flavors: This salad is designed around the star of summer produce: ripe tomatoes. When tomatoes are at their absolute best – bursting with sweetness and juiciness – they transform a simple dish into something extraordinary. This recipe lets them be the undisputed hero.
• Stunning Presentation: With just a handful of colorful ingredients, this salad creates a gorgeous visual display. The vibrant reds of the tomatoes, the greens of the lettuce and chives, and the contrasting whites and browns of the blue cheese and bacon make it a feast for the eyes before it even hits your palate.
• Irresistible Texture Contrast: Enjoy the satisfying crunch of crisp bacon, the tender softness of butter lettuce, and the juicy bite of fresh tomatoes, all brought together by a creamy dressing and crumbly cheese. Every forkful offers a delightful mix of textures.
• The Blue Cheese Factor: While a traditional BLT doesn’t include blue cheese, its addition here is a game-changer. The sharp, tangy, and slightly pungent notes of blue cheese, especially a high-quality one like Point Reyes Blue Cheese (made in California and highly recommended!), elevate the entire flavor profile. It creates a sophisticated balance that perfectly cuts through the richness of the bacon.
• Effortless Elegance: Despite its impressive appearance and gourmet taste, this BLT salad is incredibly simple to assemble. It’s the kind of dish that looks like you spent hours on it but comes together in minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings.
• Perfectly Customizable: While the core ingredients are key, this salad is wonderfully flexible. You can easily adjust quantities, add extra elements, or swap dressings to suit your personal preferences or dietary needs.

Essential BLT Salad Ingredients for the Best Flavor

The secret to a truly outstanding BLT Salad lies in the quality of its ingredients. Since there are only a few, make sure each one is the best you can possibly find. Opting for underripe tomatoes or sub-par bacon will significantly diminish the flavor and overall enjoyment of this simple yet elegant dish. Choose wisely to fully appreciate the fresh, vibrant, and simple perfection of this salad.

• Butter Lettuce: This tender, soft-leaf lettuce provides a delicate and mild base for the salad. Its leaves are pliable, making them perfect for creating an attractive fan formation on your platter. Remember to wash and thoroughly dry the leaves before assembling to prevent a watery salad. Alternatives like romaine or iceberg lettuce can be used if you prefer a crunchier texture, especially for make-ahead salads.
• Ripe Summer Tomatoes: This is the hero ingredient. Heirlooms are highly recommended for their incredible depth of flavor, unique colors, and varying textures. Look for tomatoes that are heavy for their size, have a rich color, and a fragrant aroma. Slice them thickly to ensure a juicy, substantial bite in every forkful. The peak ripeness of summer tomatoes is non-negotiable for this recipe.
• Good Quality Bacon: Whether you choose thin-sliced or thick-sliced, the bacon must be cooked to a perfect crispness. This provides a crucial textural contrast and that irresistible smoky, salty flavor. Crumble the cooked bacon into large pieces rather than tiny bits, so its flavor and texture are prominent throughout the salad.
• Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing: While a good quality store-bought blue cheese dressing can work in a pinch, making your own elevates the salad to another level. Homemade dressing allows you to control the freshness, tanginess, and chunkiness, providing a truly bespoke flavor. Its creamy texture binds the salad components together beautifully.
• Blue Cheese Crumbles: Beyond the dressing, adding extra blue cheese crumbles provides bursts of pungent, creamy flavor and a delightful texture. As mentioned, Point Reyes Blue Cheese is an excellent choice, known for its rich and nuanced profile. The quality of your blue cheese will significantly impact the salad’s character.
• Fresh Chives: Finely chopped chives add a delicate oniony freshness and a vibrant green garnish, enhancing both the flavor and visual appeal of the salad.
• Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Essential for its aromatic spice, freshly cracked pepper awakens the flavors of the tomatoes and adds a subtle heat.
• Coarse Ground Sea Salt: A good quality sea salt, applied just before serving, brings out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes and balances the richness of the bacon and blue cheese.

How to Assemble This Delicious BLT Salad: Step-by-Step

Assembling this **BLT Salad** is a simple process, but thoughtful layering ensures both beautiful presentation and a harmonious blend of flavors in every bite. Follow these steps to create a show-stopping salad:

1. Prepare Your Base: Begin by selecting a large, attractive platter for serving. Carefully arrange the individual butter lettuce leaves in a graceful fan formation across the platter. This creates an inviting bed for the other ingredients and allows for easy serving.
2. Layer the Tomatoes: Next, artfully arrange the thick-sliced ripe tomatoes on top of the lettuce leaves. For an even more stunning visual effect, especially if using heirloom varieties, try to arrange them by color. The varying shades of red, orange, and yellow will add depth and appeal.
3. Season Generously: Lightly sprinkle the layered lettuce and tomatoes with coarse ground sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Seasoning the tomatoes directly helps to draw out their natural sweetness and enhances their flavor significantly.
4. Drizzle the Dressing: Generously drizzle the homemade or good quality blue cheese dressing over the tomatoes. Ensure an even coating, allowing the creamy dressing to seep between the slices and into the lettuce.
5. Add Blue Cheese Crumbles: Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles generously over the entire salad, adjusting the amount to your taste. These crumbles will provide delightful pockets of tangy flavor and texture.
6. Distribute the Bacon: Evenly scatter the crumbled, crisp-cooked bacon pieces over the salad. The smoky, salty crunch of the bacon is a key component of the BLT experience.
7. Garnish with Chives: For the finishing touch, finely chop fresh chives and sprinkle them over the top. The chives add a final burst of color, freshness, and a subtle oniony note that brightens the entire dish.
8. Serve Immediately: Your spectacular **BLT Salad** is now ready to be presented and enjoyed! Serve it immediately to ensure the lettuce remains crisp and the flavors are at their peak.

Remember, this delicious salad is highly customizable. Feel free to add more or less of any ingredient to suit your personal preferences. There are no strict quantities; let your taste buds be your guide!

Make This BLT Salad Ahead of Your Gathering

Planning a gathering or a busy weeknight? This **BLT Salad** can be prepped in advance, making mealtime a breeze. The key is to keep certain components separate until just before serving to maintain freshness and texture.

To prepare ahead, wash and thoroughly dry your lettuce leaves. If using a sturdier lettuce like romaine or iceberg, you can even tear it into pieces and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Butter lettuce is more delicate, so it’s best to remove it from its stem and arrange it closer to serving time.

Cook and crumble your bacon, storing it separately in an airtight container at room temperature (or refrigerated if preferred). Slice your tomatoes and store them in a separate container at room temperature. Prepare your blue cheese dressing and keep it refrigerated. Chop your chives and store them in a small airtight container.

When it’s time to serve, simply assemble the salad as described above. By holding off on the dressing, blue cheese crumbles, bacon pieces, and chives until the last minute, you ensure that every element is at its freshest and most flavorful, preventing any sogginess and guaranteeing a delightful crunch.

The Best Dressings for a BLT Salad Recipe

One of the most common questions when serving a **BLT Salad** is about the ideal dressing. While the recipe features blue cheese, there are several fantastic creamy options that beautifully complement the flavors of bacon, lettuce, and tomato, enhancing the salad’s richness and providing a delightful tang.

Our top recommendation is a **blue cheese or gorgonzola dressing**. Its creamy texture and distinctive tangy, savory notes perfectly cut through the richness of the bacon and harmonize with the sweet acidity of the tomatoes. The robust flavor of blue cheese dressing truly elevates the classic BLT profile, giving it a gourmet twist.

If blue cheese isn’t your preference, a good quality **ranch dressing** is an equally delicious alternative. Ranch offers a creamy, herbaceous, and slightly tangy flavor that is universally loved and pairs wonderfully with all the BLT components.

For a lighter, yet still creamy and flavorful option, consider our superbly delicious Yogurt Dill Dressing. The fresh dill adds a bright, aromatic counterpoint, and the yogurt base offers a refreshing creaminess without being too heavy. This dressing is particularly excellent for those looking for a healthier, vibrant choice.

In short, creamy dressings are generally the way to go with this salad. They coat the ingredients beautifully, ensuring that every bite is rich and satisfying, perfectly elevating the natural flavors of the bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes.

BLT Salad Variations and Customization Ideas

The beauty of this **BLT Salad** lies in its versatility. While the classic combination is perfect as is, there are numerous ways to customize it to your taste or to introduce new flavors and textures. Here are some fantastic ideas to inspire your next salad creation:

• Herbaceous Twist: Substitute the blue cheese dressing with our Yogurt Dill Dressing for a brighter, fresher profile. Replace the chives with fresh dill leaves to enhance the herbal notes. This variation is particularly refreshing on a hot day.
• Tangy Red Onion Kick: Incorporate Marinated Balsamic Red Onions. The sweet and tangy onions add a fantastic bite. For the dressing, use some of the extra onion-soaked vinegar mixed with a good quality extra virgin olive oil, creating a lighter, yet flavorful vinaigrette.
• Luxurious Seafood Addition: Elevate your salad into a gourmet meal by adding ripe, sliced avocado and succulent lobster meat. Pair this with a bright and zesty White Balsamic Honey Mustard Vinaigrette for a truly decadent experience.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Vegetarian Option: For a delicious vegetarian alternative, substitute the bacon with garbanzo beans (chickpeas) for protein and a delightful texture. Replace the blue cheese dressing with a flavorful Sumac Dressing, bringing in a bright, lemony, and slightly tangy Mediterranean essence.
• Add Grilled Chicken: For a heartier meal, top your BLT salad with slices of grilled chicken breast. A simple grilled chicken seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs would be a fantastic addition.
• Avocado Creaminess: Sliced or diced avocado is a natural fit for a BLT. Its creamy texture and mild flavor complement the other ingredients beautifully.
• Cheese Alternatives: If blue cheese is too strong, consider crumbled feta cheese for a salty tang, or shredded sharp cheddar for a milder, savory note.
• Different Lettuce Varieties: While butter lettuce is ideal, feel free to experiment with mixed greens, baby spinach, or even a blend of sturdy and tender lettuces for varied textures.

Perfect Main Courses to Pair with This BLT Salad

This **BLT Salad with Blue Cheese** is versatile enough to be a standalone light meal, but it also shines as a vibrant side dish alongside a variety of grilled proteins or other main courses. Its fresh flavors and satisfying textures make it a perfect complement to richer dishes.

Our ideal protein choice for this salad, especially during the summer months, is a succulent **grilled tri-tip roast**. My version is incredibly simple to prepare, yet it delivers a deliciously tender and flavorful roast that pairs exquisitely with the salad. Get the recipe for the Two-Ingredient Grilled Tri-Tip Roast to add a fantastic main dish to this incredible salad.

Another excellent pairing is Easy Chicken Schnitzel. The crispy, tender chicken offers a delightful contrast to the fresh salad, and its mild flavor allows the salad’s vibrant notes to stand out. It’s an easy and flavorful option that comes together quickly.

Beyond these specific suggestions, consider pairing your BLT salad with other grilled favorites like:

• Grilled Salmon or White Fish: The freshness of the salad beautifully balances the richness of grilled fish.
• Burgers or Hot Dogs: Elevate your classic barbecue fare by serving this salad instead of traditional potato chips or coleslaw.
• Vegetarian Grills: Skewers of grilled halloumi, portobello mushrooms, or veggie burgers would also make a delightful accompaniment.

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