Blackberry Bacon Blue Cheese Salad
This delightful salad combines the sweetness of blackberries with the savory crunch of bacon and the rich creaminess of blue cheese. It's a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it a fantastic starter or a light main course.
Equipment
- 1 large salad bowl
- 1 skillet
- 1 measuring cups
- 1 measuring spoons
- 1 cutting board
- 1 whisk
Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed salad greens e.g., spinach, arugula, romaine
- 1 cup fresh blackberries
- 8 slices bacon
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup red onions thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup pecans toasted (optional)
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess fat and cool before crumbling into bite-sized pieces.
- While the bacon is cooking, rinse and dry the mixed salad greens thoroughly using a salad spinner or by patting with a paper towel.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, fresh blackberries, crumbled bacon, crumbled blue cheese, and thinly sliced red onions.
- If using, toast the pecans in the same skillet for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant, then add them to the salad bowl.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette dressing over the salad and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Gently toss the salad to combine all ingredients without crushing the blackberries.
- Serve immediately on individual plates or chill for about 5 minutes before serving if you prefer a colder dish.
Notes
Feel free to customize this salad by adding grilled chicken or swapping out the blue cheese for feta cheese for a different flavor profile.
This salad pairs well with a crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon.