Can I make Sweet Balsamic Bacon Apple Salad ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prep all the ingredients separately and store them in containers. Keep the dressing separate until serving so the greens stay crisp.

Can I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil?

Yes, many people enjoy it with olive oil. Since olive oil has a stronger flavor, try making a smaller batch first to see which version you prefer.

What apples work best in this salad?

Granny Smith apples are ideal because their tartness balances the sweet dressing perfectly. Honeycrisp apples also work well if you want something sweeter.

Is this salad good for parties?

This salad practically lives for parties. It’s colorful, easy to scale up, and always disappears quickly at gatherings. Several home cooks have shared that it became an instant family favorite after just one try.

Can I make this without bacon?

You can. While the bacon adds smoky flavor, the salad still tastes fantastic without it. Some families even prefer the lighter version.

Sweet Balsamic Bacon Apple Salad: 5 Delicious Layers

Description

Sweet Balsamic Bacon Apple Salad is a fresh and flavorful salad loaded with crisp apples, smoky bacon, crunchy pecans, dried cranberries, and creamy blue cheese tossed in a rich sweet balsamic dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad

1 bag spring salad mix (9–10 ounces)
1 bag romaine lettuce (9–10 ounces)
3 ounces real bacon pieces
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1 large Granny Smith apple, chopped
1/2 cup toasted pecans or almonds
5 ounces crumbled gorgonzola or blue cheese

Sweet Balsamic Dressing

1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon dry mustard
Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Add the spring mix and chopped romaine lettuce to a large serving bowl.
Top the greens with bacon, dried cranberries, chopped apple, toasted pecans, and crumbled cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together oil, sugar, balsamic vinegar, dry mustard, and pepper until smooth and blended.
Drizzle dressing over the salad a little at a time and gently toss until evenly coated.
Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Dried cherries and dried cranberries both work beautifully in this salad.

Goat cheese or feta can be used instead of blue cheese or gorgonzola.

Adjust the sugar in the dressing to your preferred sweetness level.

For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken on top.

Keep the dressing separate if making ahead to keep the greens crisp.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Tossed Salad
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 16g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 8g
Cholesterol: 22mg