Imagine a salad that's not just a boring pile of greens, but a mouthwatering symphony of crispy bacon, tender asparagus, and zesty vinaigrette that transforms your everyday meal into a gourmet experience. This Bacon and Asparagus Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser that combines classic American flavors with fresh, vibrant ingredients guaranteed to impress everyone at your table. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a stunning side dish, or a light dinner that doesn't compromise on taste, this recipe is about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Asparagus, trimmed and blanched
- Mixed greens
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the bacon by cooking it in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Once cooked, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease, then crumble into small pieces.
- Trim the woody ends of the asparagus spears by snapping or cutting about 1-2 inches from the bottom. Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a boil, then add a pinch of salt.
- Blanch the asparagus by carefully placing the trimmed spears into boiling water for 2-3 minutes until bright green and tender-crisp. Immediately remove and transfer to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process and preserve their vibrant color.
- In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens as the base of the salad. Drain the asparagus and pat dry with paper towels, then cut into 2-inch pieces.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and scatter them over the greens along with the blanched asparagus pieces.
- Create a simple vinaigrette by whisking together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the salad, then drizzle the prepared vinaigrette just before serving.
- Toss the salad gently to ensure all ingredients are well combined and evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately while the asparagus is still slightly warm.
Tips
- Bacon Perfection: Cook bacon slowly over medium heat to ensure even crispiness without burning. Drain thoroughly on paper towels to keep the salad from becoming greasy.
- Asparagus Technique: The key to perfect asparagus is blanching - keep an eye on the color and texture. You want bright green, tender-crisp spears, not mushy or overcooked vegetables.
- Vinaigrette Hack: For maximum flavor, whisk your dressing just before serving to keep the ingredients fresh and prevent wilting of the greens.
- Temperature Matters: Serve the salad while the asparagus is still slightly warm for the best taste and texture contrast.
- Customization Options: Feel free to add goat cheese, toasted nuts, or swap mixed greens for your favorite salad base to make this recipe uniquely yours.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 329kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 16g
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 30mg
