Crispy BLT Caesar Salad with Mom's Tangy Dressing (Print Version)

This BLT Caesar Salad is a fresh twist on a classic, featuring crisp bacon, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy, tangy homemade dressing. A family favorite!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Contains Meat, Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 large head romaine lettuce, thoroughly washed and dried
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled

→ Homemade Sourdough Croutons

04 - 3 slices sourdough bread, day-old, cut into 1-inch cubes
05 - 1 tbsp bacon fat (reserved from cooking bacon) or olive oil
06 - Pinch of salt and black pepper

→ Tangy Caesar Dressing

07 - 1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise
08 - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
11 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
12 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
13 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish

→ Finishing Touches

14 - Freshly ground black pepper

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, let's get that bacon nice and crispy. I usually lay my thick-cut bacon in a cold skillet, then turn the heat to medium. This lets the fat render slowly, resulting in perfectly crisp bacon every time. Cook it until it’s beautifully golden brown and crunchy, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Don't forget to save a little of that glorious bacon fat – it's liquid gold for our croutons later! I swear, the smell of sizzling bacon is just the best way to start any BLT Caesar Salad adventure.
02 - While the bacon cools, let's make some croutons. Cut your sourdough into rustic, bite-sized cubes. Toss them with a drizzle of that reserved bacon fat (or olive oil if you skipped saving it, but why would you?). Season with a pinch of salt, pepper, and maybe a tiny bit of garlic powder. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until they're golden and crunchy. Keep an eye on them, hon, they can go from perfect to burnt pretty fast! I've definitely learned that the hard way, oops.
03 - Now for the star of the show – Mom's tangy Caesar dressing! In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly until it's all beautifully emulsified and creamy. Stir in a generous handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings – it should be bright, garlicky, and super savory. This is where you can totally personalize your BLT Caesar Salad; more lemon? More garlic? You do you!
04 - Time to get our greens ready! Wash and thoroughly dry your romaine lettuce. I usually tear it into bite-sized pieces. If the lettuce isn't dry, the dressing just won't cling, and that's a sad salad. Halve your cherry tomatoes. Once the bacon is cool enough to handle, crumble it into delicious bits. I always taste a piece or two here, just for quality control, you know? It's all about setting up the perfect base for our BLT Caesar Salad.
05 - In a large bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and about half of the crispy bacon bits. Pour about half of your homemade Caesar dressing over the mixture. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. You want every leaf to have a hug of that creamy dressing, but not be drowning in it. This step is where the magic really starts to happen, seeing all those fresh ingredients come together for the ultimate BLT Caesar Salad. Don't be afraid to get your hands in there!
06 - Transfer the dressed BLT Caesar Salad to serving bowls or a large platter. Top with the remaining crispy bacon bits, a generous sprinkle of your homemade sourdough croutons, and a final flourish of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a crack of black pepper. Serve immediately! The crunch, the creaminess, the tang – it’s just perfect. This BLT Caesar Salad never lasts long in my house, honestly, it's that good.

# Notes:

01 - Always dry your lettuce thoroughly! A salad spinner is a game-changer; wet lettuce makes for watery dressing, and nobody wants that.
02 - If you're making this ahead, keep the dressing, croutons, and salad base separate to avoid sogginess.
03 - For an extra savory kick, try adding a finely minced anchovy fillet to the dressing, it really deepens the flavor.
04 - Serve this BLT Caesar Salad on chilled plates for an extra refreshing experience, especially on a hot day.

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Large skillet
02 - baking sheet
03 - large mixing bowl
04 - whisk
05 - salad spinner (optional)

# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):

Calories: 450-550
Total Fat: 40-50g
Total Carbohydrate: 15-20g
Protein: 15-20g

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