Bacon and Blue Cheese Chop Salad

This Bacon and Blue Cheese Chop Salad is full of flavor. A mixed blend of lettuces are tossed in blue cheese dressing and topped with chopped cooked bacon, crumbled blue cheese, candied pecans, crispy fried onions and drizzled with balsamic glaze. Enjoy as is or top with sliced grilled chicken or protein of your choice. Yields 4 servings.

Have you ever had a salad you just can’t stop thinking about?

Last weekend, my husband and I took our girls to dinner at Black Rock. If you’ve never heard of it, it’s known for your choice of steak coming out on a hot (755°) “volcanic sizzling rock” that you yourself cook to perfection. It’s an experience and the steaks are pretty darn good too. Normally, I would order the filet, but the blue cheese chop salad was calling my name. So I got that instead and added grilled chicken to it.

It was incredible! Mixed greens dressed with blue cheese dressing and topped with a plethora of toppings. But the best unexpected part was the balsamic glaze drizzled over top. It add a touch of sweetness that really works with the funkiness of the blue cheese and the smoky bacon. 10 out of 1o recommend.

So naturally, I went home and made it and ate it all week long.

To Make This Bacon and Blue Cheese Chop Salad You will Need:

• blue cheese dressing – I used my this recipe, however use what you like!
• candied pecans – Again, I made my own, however store bought is fine too.
• salad greens – In this recipe, I combine butter lettuce and a mix of spinach and baby lettuces.
• bacon – I like center cut bacon but use what you like.
• cherry tomatoes – Or substitute with grape tomatoes.
• red onion – Thinly sliced and, this part is optional, soaked in ice water to remove some of the strong bite.
• blue cheese – Freshly crumbled is best.
• crispy fried onions – Homemade or store-bought. I like the Fresh Express brand.
• balsamic glaze – Use homemade or store-bought.

Make The blue Cheese dressing:

Or don’t! This is a judgement free zone and if you want to buy your salad dressings, that’s up to you! However if you’re looking to make your own blue cheese dressing, I highly recommend this greek yogurt blue cheese version!

Make The Candied Pecans:

In a small skillet, measure and add in 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon fine salt, 1 tablespoon water, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Stir and bring to a bubble over medium heat.

Stirring often, let it bubble for 1 minute.

Add in 3/4 chopped pecans and stir often for 2 more minutes.

Transfer to a parchment lined sheet pan or plate to cool. Break apart before serving.

In a mixing bowl combine lettuces and add desired amount of dressing.

Toss until lightly coated, or coated to your preference.

Divide among bowls, and top each bowl with 1 ounce chopped cooked bacon and candied walnuts, 1/2 ounce of crumbled blue cheese and desired amount of sliced red onions and tomatoes. Lastly, top with 1-1/2 tablespoons crispy fried onions and drizzle with balsamic glaze.

Perfection.

Enjoy! And if you give this Bacon and Blue Cheese Chop Salad recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!