BLT Chopped Salad

By Jason Griffith

Recipe Summary

• Recipe Name: BLT Chopped Salad
• Description: A crisp, satisfying chopped salad inspired by the classic BLT sandwich, loaded with bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and a creamy dressing for a fresh and flavorful meal.
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Salad
• Method: Stovetop / Assembly
• Cuisine: American

Introduction

There is a reason the BLT has stayed popular for so long. It is simple, familiar, and packed with satisfying texture and flavor. Crispy bacon, juicy tomatoes, and crisp lettuce are one of those combinations that just work every single time. This BLT Chopped Salad takes everything people love about that classic sandwich and turns it into a fresh, fork-friendly meal that feels a little lighter but still delivers big on flavor.

What I love most about this salad is that it does not feel like a compromise. Some salads feel like the “healthy version” of something better, but not this one. This recipe is crunchy, savory, creamy, and filling in a way that makes it feel like a real meal. It is perfect for lunch, a simple dinner, or even as a side dish for a casual gathering when you want something fresh on the table.

Why I Love This Recipe

This is the kind of salad I come back to because it is built on ingredients that are easy to find and easy to love. The chopped style means every bite gets a little bacon, lettuce, tomato, and dressing, so the flavor is balanced from the first forkful to the last. It is also easy to customize depending on what you have in the fridge.

I also appreciate how well it works across different occasions. It is simple enough for weekday lunches, but it looks colorful and inviting enough to serve when friends are over. If you enjoy hearty but still fresh lunch ideas, A Light, Tangy Chicken Salad I Actually Crave—and There’s No Mayo in Sight is another great recipe to keep in your rotation.

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
• 3 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved or chopped
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional
• 1 cup croutons

For the Dressing

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 to 3 tablespoons milk, as needed for thinning

Swaps and Notes

This salad is easy to adjust depending on your tastes. Romaine and iceberg are a great combination because you get both crunch and structure, but you can use all romaine if that is what you have. Cherry tomatoes are especially good because they are sweet and less watery, though chopped vine tomatoes also work.

For extra substance, avocado adds creamy richness that pairs beautifully with the bacon. Shredded cheddar is optional, but I think it makes the salad feel even more satisfying. If you want a lighter dressing, swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt. You can also add grilled chicken or turkey if you want to turn this into an even more filling main course.

How to Make BLT Chopped Salad

1. Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp, then transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate. Once cooled slightly, crumble or chop it into bite-sized pieces.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, and black pepper.
3. Add milk, a little at a time, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
4. In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped romaine, iceberg, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, cheddar if using, and croutons.
5. Sprinkle the crispy bacon over the top.
6. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, then toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
7. Serve immediately while the lettuce is crisp and the bacon still has its crunch.

Tips for Success

Use very crisp lettuce for the best texture. Since this salad is built around fresh ingredients, the crunch really matters. Cold lettuce straight from the refrigerator makes the whole dish feel extra refreshing.

Do not overdress the salad right away. Start with part of the dressing, toss, and add more as needed. Chopped salads absorb dressing quickly, so a lighter hand helps keep everything fresh rather than heavy.

Cook the bacon until truly crisp. Slightly soft bacon can get lost in the salad, but crispy bacon brings that signature BLT bite you want in every forkful.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings

This BLT Chopped Salad is excellent on its own, especially for lunch or a light dinner, but it also works really well as part of a bigger spread. For a bright drink pairing, This Blueberry Lemonade Is My Favorite Refreshing Drink for Sunny Days is a fun, fresh choice that balances the smoky richness of the bacon.

If you are serving guests and want an easy starter, This Baked Brie Appetizer Is My Favorite Effortless Way to Impress Guests adds something warm and crowd-friendly to the table. For a heartier main alongside or for a separate meal idea later in the week, These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast are always a smart choice.

And if you are planning the whole menu from start to finish, ending with This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd makes the meal feel complete in the most comforting way.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Approximate values for 1 serving:

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 14g
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 520mg

Nutritional values can vary depending on the dressing amount, bacon brand, and optional toppings used.

Storage and Leftover Tips

This salad is best eaten right after it is assembled, but the components can absolutely be prepped ahead. Store the chopped lettuce, cooked bacon, tomatoes, and dressing separately in the refrigerator until ready to serve. That way, everything stays crisp and fresh.

If you expect leftovers, keep the dressing off the full bowl and dress individual portions instead. Once dressed, the lettuce will soften fairly quickly. The bacon can be cooked a day ahead and stored in the fridge, then lightly crisped again if needed before serving.

Avocado is best added right before serving so it stays bright and creamy rather than browning in storage.

More Recipes You Will Love

If this BLT Chopped Salad fits your style, there are plenty of other easy recipes worth adding to your lineup. A Light, Tangy Chicken Salad I Actually Crave—and There’s No Mayo in Sight is another fresh lunch option that feels satisfying without being heavy.

For entertaining and casual meals, This Baked Brie Appetizer Is My Favorite Effortless Way to Impress Guests and These Sheet Pan Quesadillas Are My Favorite Way to Feed a Crowd Fast are both easy wins. And when you want something sweet to round out the meal, This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert to Feed a Crowd is always a dependable crowd-pleaser. For something refreshing to sip alongside it all, This Blueberry Lemonade Is My Favorite Refreshing Drink for Sunny Days is a perfect warm-weather pairing.

Final Thoughts

BLT Chopped Salad is proof that a simple idea can still feel exciting when the ingredients are fresh and the textures are right. It is crisp, smoky, creamy, and packed with the kind of flavor that makes you forget you are eating a salad at all.

Whether you serve it as a quick lunch, a light dinner, or part of a bigger gathering, it is one of those recipes that fits easily into real life while still feeling satisfying and special. If you make it, share your favorite add-ins, leave your feedback, and follow along for more easy, crave-worthy recipes.