Crispy Bacon & Cheddar House Salad
Delight in this refreshing Crispy Bacon & Cheddar House Salad, a perfect blend of textures and flavors. Crisp lettuce forms the base of this vibrant dish, adorned with the savory crunch of bacon, the creamy richness of cheddar cheese, and the natural sweetness of fresh tomatoes and carrots. A hint of garlic and onion adds a punch of flavor, while hard-boiled eggs provide a hearty touch. Dressed in creamy ranch, this salad is not only a perfect side dish but also a satisfying standalone meal. Ready in just under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for quick lunches or as a crowd-pleasing starter at dinner gatherings.
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Lettuce
1/2 head (chopped)
Bacon
5 slices (cooked and crumbled)
Tomatoes
1 large (diced)
Carrots
1-2 (diced)
Onion
1/2 (diced)
Garlic
1-2 cloves (crushed)
Eggs
3 (hard boiled and chopped)
Cheddar Cheese
3/4 cup (shredded)
Ranch Dressing
to taste (for serving)
Instructions
1
Begin by chopping the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and placing it in a large salad bowl as the base.
2
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, drain the excess fat and crumble the bacon into small pieces.
3
Prepare the vegetables: dice the large tomato, carrots, and onion. Crush the garlic into fine pieces.
4
Peel and chop the hard-boiled eggs into quarters.
5
Layer the crumbled bacon, diced tomato, carrots, onion, garlic, and chopped eggs aesthetically on top of the lettuce.
6
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
7
Serve with ranch dressing either drizzled over the salad or on the side, allowing each person to add their desired amount.
Nutrition Information
8
Fat
5
Carbs
6
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Crispy Bacon & Cheddar House Salad?
It is a refreshing salad featuring a base of crisp lettuce topped with savory bacon, cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, carrots, garlic, onion, and hard-boiled eggs, served with creamy ranch dressing.
How long does it take to prepare this salad?
This recipe is quick and easy, taking just under 30 minutes to prepare from start to finish.
What are the main ingredients for this house salad?
The primary ingredients include 1/2 head of lettuce, 5 slices of bacon, one large tomato, carrots, onion, garlic, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup of cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing.
How do I prepare the bacon for the salad?
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it becomes crispy. Afterward, drain the excess fat and crumble the bacon into small pieces.
How many calories are in a serving of this salad?
Each serving contains approximately 120 calories.
What is the nutritional profile of this salad?
The salad contains 8g of fat, 5g of carbohydrates, and 6g of protein per serving.
Is this salad considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy option because it includes fresh vegetables and protein-rich eggs, though the nutritional profile depends on the amount of dressing used.
How should the eggs be prepared?
The eggs should be hard-boiled, peeled, and chopped into quarters before being added to the salad.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, simply omit the bacon or replace it with a plant-based bacon alternative.
What type of lettuce should I use?
While the recipe specifies 1/2 head of lettuce, you can use iceberg, romaine, or a butter lettuce for a crisp base.
What is the best way to assemble the salad?
Place the chopped lettuce in a bowl first, then layer the bacon, tomatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and eggs aesthetically on top before adding the cheese.
What kind of dressing is recommended?
Creamy ranch dressing is the recommended choice for this specific house salad recipe.
Is garlic a common ingredient in house salads?
This specific recipe uses 1-2 crushed cloves of garlic to add a unique punch of flavor and depth to the dish.
Can I serve the dressing on the side?
Yes, you can either drizzle the ranch dressing over the top or serve it on the side so guests can add their desired amount.
Is this salad suitable for a main meal?
Yes, thanks to the protein from the eggs, bacon, and cheese, it is satisfying enough to be a standalone meal or a hearty side dish.
What kind of cheddar cheese works best?
A sharp shredded cheddar cheese is usually preferred to provide a creamy richness that stands out against the fresh vegetables.
How do I prepare the carrots?
The carrots should be diced into small pieces to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
Can I use red onion instead of white onion?
Yes, red onion is a great substitute if you prefer a slightly milder, sweeter flavor and more color in your salad.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes, though it is best to store the dressing and bacon separately until serving to keep the lettuce and bacon crisp.
How many eggs are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 large hard-boiled eggs.
What makes the bacon crispy?
Cooking it over medium heat and allowing the fat to render out until it reaches a deep golden brown ensures maximum crunch.
Can I add other vegetables to this salad?
Absolutely! Cucumbers, bell peppers, or radishes would make excellent additions to this versatile base.
What is the fiber content of this salad?
The specific fiber content is not listed, but the lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes contribute natural dietary fiber.
Does this salad contain sugar?
The recipe does not list added sugar, though there are trace amounts of natural sugars in the vegetables.
Can I use pre-cooked bacon?
Yes, you can use pre-cooked bacon; just heat it briefly to ensure it is crispy before crumbling it onto the salad.
How should I dice the tomatoes?
Dice the large tomato into bite-sized cubes, removing excess seeds if you prefer a less watery salad.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but you should check the label of your ranch dressing to ensure it does not contain gluten additives.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
The recipe yields a large salad bowl, typically serving 2-4 people depending on whether it is a side or main dish.
Should I peel the carrots?
Yes, it is generally recommended to peel the carrots before dicing them for the best texture.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
While fresh crushed garlic is recommended for the best flavor, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder can be substituted if necessary.