This is a salad which contains bacon and blue cheese – therefore, of course it is delicious. It’s packed full of flavour and works brilliantly as a side dish to a variety of other dishes, or as a main course in its own merit.
This is very quick to make (ready in just 15 minutes) and the only item which needs any heat is the bacon; everything else just needs compiling.
I love to serve this alongside The Best Barbecued Pork Loin, with a variety of other salads (like Pomegranate, Feta and Chickpea Salad) – or even 6 Hour Slow Cooked Pork Belly. It works so well with the roasted or barbecued meat. It’s also a great one for meal prepping and having for lunches throughout the week – just be sure to add the croutons just before eating to make sure they don’t go soggy.
The Ingredients
- The salad – the ‘salad’ part is made from little gem lettuces (you can switch for iceberg if necessary), watercress for a delightful pepperiness, avocado and pumpkin seeds. The seeds add a great texture to the salad (and plenty of protein too!)
- The toppings – the toppings are blue cheese (use your favourite – I went for Stilton), smoked bacon and croutons. The smoked bacon brings SO much flavour, so do use it over unsmoked. You can either buy or make your croutons: I bought mine this time for ease.
- The dressing – the dressing is a really simple one made from wholegrain mustard, white wine vinegar and olive oil. The flavours are classic and work really well with the rest of the salad.
Avocado, Bacon and Blue Cheese Salad
Ingredients
- 300 grams smoked bacon
- 2 avocados
- 2 little gem lettuces
- 75 grams watercress
- 50 grams pumpkin seeds
- 50 grams croutons
- 75 grams blue cheese
- 1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Chop the bacon into thin strips and fry with one tablespoon of the olive oil over a high heat until the bacon is very crispy. Take off the heat and leave to one side.
- Peel and slice the avocados and chop the lettuce. Put them in a large bowl with the watercress and pumpkin seeds – toss.
- For the dressing, put the mustard, white wine vinegar and remaining oil in a small bowl and whisk together.
- Slice the cheese into small 1cm cubes.
- To serve, add a handful of the salad to a bowl and top with a sprinkling of bacon, croutons and cheese. Drizzle over the dressing.
Video
Notes
More easy 15 minute dinner recipes
If you enjoy quick meals like this one, you might also like to explore my collection of 15 minute dinner recipes, where you’ll find plenty of simple meals that come together fast but still taste fantastic.
Here are a few reader favourites to try next:
- Cheese and Chorizo Omelette – smoky chorizo and melty cheese make this quick omelette incredibly satisfying.
- Leek and Chorizo Pasta – a rich and comforting pasta dinner that comes together in no time.
- Paneer and Vegetable Wraps – packed with flavour and colourful vegetables, these wraps make a brilliant speedy dinner.
- Mushrooms and Stilton on Toast – creamy, savoury and deeply comforting, perfect for a quick but indulgent meal.
Or browse all of my easy 15 minute dinner recipes here for more fast weeknight ideas.
Filling, tasty and full of delicious bacon and cheese, this is a salad to enjoy!