Experience the comforting allure of Wilted Lettuce Salad, a timeless dish that transforms crisp lettuce into a warm and flavorful delight. Begin by selecting delicate lettuce varieties like butterhead or leaf lettuce, perfect for achieving a subtle and pleasant wilted texture. The wilting process involves lightly cooking the lettuce leaves, either by pouring a warm dressing over them or through a quick sauté for a more pronounced wilt.
Central to the Wilted Lettuce Salad is the warm bacon dressing. This flavorful dressing, crafted by sautéing crispy bacon and combining it with ingredients like vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard, is poured over the lettuce just before serving. This imparts a delightful contrast between the warm dressing and the cool, crisp lettuce.
Customize the salad by incorporating various additions such as sliced hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, red onions, or croutons. Achieve the perfect balance of flavors by adjusting the sweetness and tanginess of the dressing to suit your taste preferences.
Best enjoyed immediately after preparation, Wilted Lettuce Salad serves as an excellent side dish alongside grilled meats or a comforting standalone meal. Explore variations by incorporating different greens like spinach or Swiss chard, and add elements like crumbled blue cheese or toasted nuts for an extra layer of richness and crunch.
Embrace the nostalgic appeal of Wilted Lettuce Salad, a dish associated with traditional and comforting home-cooked meals. This culinary delight is a celebration of simple yet satisfying flavors, offering a unique and comforting experience that blends the warmth of the dressing with the crisp freshness of lettuce. Whether served as a side dish or a main course, Wilted Lettuce Salad invites you to savor the heartwarming flavors of the past.
Details Wilted Lettuce Salad Recipes
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients For Wilted Lettuce Salad Recipes
5 slices bacon
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 head leaf lettuce - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
6 green onions with tops, thinly sliced
Instructions: Wilted Lettuce Salad Recipes
Step 1: Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Remove from skillet, crumble and set aside.
Step 2: To the hot bacon drippings, add the vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and pepper. Stir over medium heat until hot.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the lettuce and green onions. Add the warm dressing and toss to evenly coat. Sprinkle with bacon and serve.
modified recipe, tried HEAD lettuce like iceberg, tried leaf lettuce like ROMAINE, of course DID NOT add liquid to HOT bacon grease, needs to be clearer in recipe, but we liked both types
This is my new favourite salad! We added an apple for a little more sweet and crunch!
Delicious!!
I used fresh garden lettuce instead of iceberg. Turned out great.
The bacon/vinegar/lemon/pepper juice combo was just right! I used a mix of spinach and swiss chard and it came out perfect. Sprinkled a bit of blue cheese on top. Perfect.
Used apple cider vinegar.
I have been making this for many years and always add a chopped hardboiled egg to the lettuce and green onions, then pour on the dressing and toss. Dressing is especially wonderful made with balsamic vinegar.
Add chopped radishes and my husband loved it. He's not a big salad fan.
✅Q: Which lettuce varieties work best for Wilted Lettuce Salad?
Opt for delicate varieties like butterhead or leaf lettuce. Their tender leaves are perfect for achieving a subtle wilt, enhancing the overall texture of the salad.
✅Q: Can you explain the wilting process for the lettuce?
The lettuce is lightly cooked to achieve the desired wilt. This can be done by pouring a warm dressing over the lettuce or through a quick sauté. The goal is to create a unique texture and infuse the leaves with the warm bacon dressing.
✅Q: What is the key to making a flavorful warm bacon dressing?
The warm bacon dressing is crafted by sautéing crispy bacon and combining it with vinegar, lemon juice, and a hint of sugar. Cooking until hot, this flavorful mixture is ready to be poured over the chopped lettuce and green onions, adding depth to the Wilted Lettuce Salad.
✅Q: How can I customize the Wilted Lettuce Salad with additional toppings?
Get creative by adding toppings like sliced hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, red onions, or croutons. These additions enhance the overall flavor profile and introduce diverse textures to the salad.
✅Q: What's the secret to balancing sweetness and tanginess in the dressing?
Achieve the perfect balance by adjusting the sugar and vinegar ratios in the dressing. This allows you to tailor the flavors to your liking, ensuring a harmonious blend of sweetness and tanginess in the Wilted Lettuce Salad.
✅Q: Is it necessary to serve the salad immediately after preparation?
Yes, Wilted Lettuce Salad is best enjoyed immediately to maintain the crispness of the lettuce and the warmth of the dressing. Serving it promptly ensures a delightful contrast between the warm dressing and the cool, fresh lettuce.
✅Q: Are there alternative greens I can use in this salad?
Explore variations by incorporating different greens such as spinach or Swiss chard. This adds diversity to the dish, allowing you to tailor the Wilted Lettuce Salad to your taste preferences.
✅Q: Can I prepare the warm bacon dressing in advance?
While it's best served fresh, you can prepare components like the warm bacon dressing in advance. Reheat before pouring over the lettuce to ensure the dressing maintains its warmth and enhances the salad experience.