BLAT Panzanella Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

You know that moment when you can’t decide between a BLT sandwich, a crisp salad, or just eating bacon straight from the pan? This BLAT Panzanella Salad is the ultimate loophole. It’s basically a BLT got dressed up for summer—juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy homemade croutons (thank you bacon grease, you glorious flavor-maker), creamy avocado, fresh basil, and crisp romaine. All tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette that ties it all together. It’s hearty, fresh, and the kind of salad you’ll actually look forward to eating.

Why You’ll Love It

• It’s salad, but it’s hearty. Between the bread cubes and bacon, this one eats like a meal.
• Homemade croutons in bacon grease. Enough said.
• Balanced flavors. Tangy balsamic, salty bacon, creamy avocado—it’s basically a flavor power couple.
• Crowd pleaser. Even people who “don’t like salad” mysteriously go back for seconds.

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 shallot, chopped
• 4 slices bacon
• 3 thick slices French or Italian bread, cut into cubes
• 1 avocado, cut into chunks
• 4 cups romaine, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

• Whisk together the balsamic vinaigrette ingredients and set aside.
• Toss cherry tomatoes and shallot with a drizzle of dressing and let them marinate while you fry the bacon.
• Fry bacon until crispy. Remove and set on a paper towel–lined plate, but keep that glorious grease in the pan.
• Add the bread cubes to the pan with the bacon grease. Toast over medium heat until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.
• Crumble the bacon.
• In a large bowl, toss together bacon, croutons, avocado, romaine, and basil. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently. Serve immediately and enjoy every crunchy, tangy, salty bite.

Pro Tips

• Bread matters. Use a hearty loaf like French or Italian bread—sandwich bread won’t cut it here.
• Make-ahead magic. Mix the dressing and toast the croutons ahead of time; assemble the salad just before serving.
• Crispier bacon hack. Cook bacon in the oven on a sheet pan—less splatter, more evenly crispy strips.
• Don’t skip the marinating step. Letting tomatoes and shallots sit in dressing helps them soak up that tangy flavor.

Pairing Suggestions

• Grilled chicken or steak – for a protein boost that makes this salad a full dinner.
• Grilled shrimp skewers – light, flavorful, and perfect with that balsamic tang.
• Fresh fruit platter – light and refreshing alongside those savory bites.

Favorite Tools Used

• Cast iron skillet – for bacon and croutons with extra flavor power.
• Big wooden salad bowl – makes tossing everything together way easier.
• Handy whisk – for vinaigrette that actually emulsifies instead of separating instantly.

Final Thoughts

This BLAT Panzanella Salad is proof that salads don’t have to be boring. Between the bacon, the bread, the avocado, and that tangy balsamic dressing, it’s basically the salad that eats like a meal. Perfect for BBQs, weeknight dinners, or anytime you want to trick yourself into thinking you’re eating light… when really, you’re just eating bacon in disguise.

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BLAT Panzanella Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

You know that moment when you can’t decide between a BLAT sandwich, a crisp salad, or just eating bacon straight from the pan? This BLAT Panzanella Salad is the ultimate loophole. It’s basically a BLT got dressed up for summer — juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy homemade croutons (thank you bacon grease, you glorious flavor-maker), creamy avocado, fresh basil, and crisp romaine. All tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette that ties it all together. It’s hearty, fresh, and the kind of salad you’ll actually look forward to eating.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 461 kcal

Equipment

• Cast Iron Skillet for bacon and croutons with extra flavor power.
• Big Wooden Salad Bowl makes tossing everything together way easier. 

Ingredients

  

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For the Salad

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
• 1/2 shallot chopped
• 4 slices bacon
• 3 thick slices French or Italian bread cut into cubes
• 1 avocado cut into chunks
• 4 cups romaine chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves cut into thin strips
• salt, and pepper to taste

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

• 2/3 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons garlic minced
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

 

• Whisk together the balsamic vinaigrette ingredients and set aside.
• Toss cherry tomatoes and shallot with a drizzle of dressing and let them marinate while you fry the bacon.
• Fry bacon until crispy. Remove and set on a paper towel–lined plate. Crumble the bacon once it’s cooled for a bit.
• Add the bread cubes to the pan with the bacon grease. Toast over medium heat until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.
• In a large bowl, toss together bacon, croutons, avocado, romaine, and basil. Drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Pro Tips

• Bread matters. Use a hearty loaf like French or Italian bread—sandwich bread won’t cut it here.
• Make-ahead magic. Mix the dressing and toast the croutons ahead of time; assemble the salad just before serving.
• Crispier bacon hack. Cook bacon in the oven on a sheet pan—less splatter, more evenly crispy strips.
• Don’t skip the marinating step. Letting tomatoes and shallots sit in dressing helps them soak up that tangy flavor.

 

Pairing Suggestions

• Grilled chicken or steak – for a protein boost that makes this salad a full dinner.
• Grilled shrimp skewers – light, flavorful, and perfect with that balsamic tang.
• Fresh fruit platter – light and refreshing alongside those savory bites.

Nutrition

Serving: 6 ServingsCalories: 461kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 7gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 414mgPotassium: 512mgFiber: 4gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 3223IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg

Keyword BLT, easy side dish, Salad

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