Keto Big-Ass Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese
A hearty keto salad loaded with crispy bacon, creamy blue cheese, crunchy walnuts, and fresh greens tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. This american-inspired salads (keto, low carb) ready in about 20 minutes pairs mixed salad greens, bacon strips, crumbled blue cheese into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 6 slices bacon strips
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/3 cup, toasted and roughly chopped walnuts
- 2, quartered hard-boiled eggs
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6 slices of bacon until crispy, about 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally. Transfer to paper towel-lined plate to drain, then crumble once cooled.
- Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
- Step 3: In a large salad bowl, combine 6 cups mixed salad greens, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion, 1/3 cup toasted and roughly chopped walnuts, 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese, and 2 quartered hard-boiled eggs.
- Step 4: Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Step 5: Top the salad with the crumbled crispy bacon and serve immediately for a filling, flavorful keto meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Keto Big-Ass Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Keto Big-Ass Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep mixed salad greens from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Keto Big-Ass Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Keto Big-Ass Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Keto Big-Ass Salad with Bacon and Blue Cheese keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
