Best Bacon Ranch Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Best Bacon Ranch Salad combines the bold, slightly bitter crunch of radicchio with crispy bacon, tangy Stilton blue cheese, and homemade croutons. Tossed in creamy ranch dressing, it’s a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will brighten up any meal.

Ingredients

• 1 large radicchio (or your favorite lettuce)
• 12 ounces bacon (cut into 1 inch pieces and cooked)
• ½ small red onion (thinly sliced)
• 2 cups sourdough bread (cut into 1 inch cubes)
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil (for croutons)
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt (for croutons)
• ¼ cup Stilton blue cheese (crumbled)
• ½ cup Ranch Dressing (or more to taste)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450ºF.
2. Step 2: Prepare the radicchio by cutting it into halves, then quarters, removing the core, and cutting each quarter in half. Place the pieces in a large bowl or salad spinner, cover with cold water and 1 cup of ice. Massage the leaves gently with your hands and let them soak for 5-10 minutes to reduce bitterness. Drain and dry thoroughly.
3. Step 3: Cook the bacon pieces in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat, then set aside.
4. Step 4: Prepare the croutons by tossing sourdough bread cubes with olive oil and kosher salt. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, tossing once halfway through, until golden and crispy. Watch closely to prevent burning. Remove and let cool.
5. Step 5: Thinly slice the red onion and crumble the blue cheese. Set both aside.
6. Step 6: In a large serving bowl, combine the radicchio with half of the ranch dressing and toss well. Top with bacon, red onion slices, croutons, and blue cheese. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the top and toss gently to combine before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder flavor, substitute radicchio with romaine or a mix of lettuces.
• Use your favorite ranch dressing or try a homemade version for added freshness.
• Add chopped fresh herbs like chives or parsley for extra color and flavor.
• Swap Stilton blue cheese with feta or goat cheese if preferred.

Storage

Store leftover salad components separately for best freshness. Keep the radicchio and dressing refrigerated in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Bacon and croutons store well at room temperature for a day but are best added fresh to maintain crunch. When ready to eat, toss everything together. Avoid storing the salad fully assembled to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of lettuce instead of radicchio?

Yes, you can substitute radicchio with romaine, iceberg, or mixed greens if you prefer a milder taste and texture.

How can I make this salad vegetarian?

Simply omit the bacon and consider adding toasted nuts or seeds for crunch and extra protein. You can also use a vegetarian ranch dressing option.

Best Bacon Ranch Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 63 reviews

• Author: Jake
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Best Bacon Ranch Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring crisp radicchio, savory bacon, crunchy sourdough croutons, sharp stilton blue cheese, and tangy ranch dressing. The radicchio is soaked in ice water to mellow its bitterness, then combined with hot, crispy bacon and homemade or store-bought ranch dressing for a deliciously satisfying salad that balances bitterness, creaminess, and crunch.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad

• 1 large radicchio (or your favorite lettuce)
• 12 ounces bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces and cooked
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup stilton blue cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup ranch dressing (or more to taste)

Croutons

• 2 cups sourdough bread, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450ºF (232ºC) to prepare for baking the croutons.
2. Prepare Radicchio: Cut the radicchio into halves and then quarters. Remove the core and cut in half again. Place the radicchio in a large bowl or salad spinner, cover with cold water and 1 cup of ice. Massage the leaves gently to help reduce bitterness, then soak for 5-10 minutes. Drain and dry thoroughly to avoid sogginess in the salad.
3. Prepare Bacon: Cut bacon slices into 1-inch pieces. Cook in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat. Set aside.
4. Make or Ready Ranch Dressing: Prepare homemade ranch dressing if desired, or use your favorite store-bought dressing to taste.
5. Make Croutons: Toss sourdough bread cubes with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil and ¼ teaspoon kosher salt until evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, tossing halfway through to ensure even crisping. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Remove from oven and cool.
6. Slice Onion and Crumble Cheese: Thinly slice the red onion and crumble the stilton blue cheese. Set both aside.
7. Assemble Salad: Place the dried radicchio in a large serving bowl and add half the ranch dressing. Toss to combine evenly. Top with crispy bacon pieces, sliced red onion, and sourdough croutons. Drizzle with the remaining ranch dressing. Toss gently to combine and serve immediately for the freshest taste.

Notes

• Soaking radicchio in ice water helps mellow its bitterness but drying thoroughly is essential to keep the salad crisp.
• Cooking bacon to your preferred level of crispness ensures the perfect texture contrast.
• Watch croutons closely while baking to prevent burning – tossing halfway helps them brown evenly.
• Feel free to substitute radicchio with other lettuces such as romaine or kale if desired.
• Adjust ranch dressing quantity based on taste preference for creaminess.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Bacon Ranch Salad, Radicchio Salad, Sourdough Croutons, Blue Cheese Salad, Easy Salad Recipe