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Apple, Bacon and Blue Cheese Salad

It’s official! Giant salads are my favorite lunch for 2016. I know it has only just begun but wow, we’re on a roll!

When it comes to a really good main dish salad, it’s all about the toppings. Crunchy, crispy, sweet, tart, nutty or cheesy, the toppings can really make or break a salad. I almost always go for a pairing of fruit, nuts and cheese. It gives the salad a bit of bulk and a ton of flavor. Throw in a few more ingredients for good measure and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal!

Apple, Blue Cheese and Bacon Chop Salad | BourbonandHoney.com -- This chopped bacon and blue cheese salad is packed with fresh apples, crumbled blue cheese, crispy bacon topped with a dijon vinaigrette.

This is a super classic salad that my mom used to make when we were kids. I hated the blue cheese and would always pick it out, setting it on a napkin with a funny face. But now I love the pungent bite, paired with the crispy sweet-tart apple and smoky bacon. Still not a fan of blue cheese? Go for a more mild Gorgonzola, feta or even goat cheese.

Apple, Blue Cheese and Bacon Chop Salad | BourbonandHoney.com -- This chopped bacon and blue cheese salad is packed with fresh apples, crumbled blue cheese, crispy bacon topped with a dijon vinaigrette.

The dressing can be made a few days ahead and stored in the fridge. It’s a pretty simple dressing but the bright tang of the mustard and shallot is strong enough to hold up to the bold flavors already in the salad.

Apple, Blue Cheese and Bacon Chop Salad | BourbonandHoney.com -- This chopped bacon and blue cheese salad is packed with fresh apples, crumbled blue cheese, crispy bacon topped with a dijon vinaigrette.

Print

Apple, Bacon and Blue Cheese Salad

Apple, Blue Cheese and Bacon Chop Salad | BourbonandHoney.com -- This chopped bacon and blue cheese salad is packed with fresh apples, crumbled blue cheese, crispy bacon topped with a dijon vinaigrette.
Print Recipe

This chopped bacon and blue cheese salad is packed with fresh apples, crumbled blue cheese, crispy bacon topped with a dijon vinaigrette.

  • Author: Kristen Olson
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 Servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • Dijon Vinaigrette
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • Pinch salt and pepper, to taste
  • Apple, Bacon and Blue Cheese Salad
  • 6 cups baby spinach or mixed greens
  • 1 large tart red apple, halved, cored and thinly sliced (pink lady or honey crisp)
  • 2 ounces blue cheese or Gorgonzola, crumbled
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
  • 4 slices crispy cooked thick cut bacon, chopped

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette dressing ingredients, set aside.
  2. In a large serving bowl, toss the spinach with a bit of the dressing. Add the sliced apple, blue cheese, walnuts and bacon. Serve with remaining dressing on the side.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Apple, Blue Cheese and Bacon Chop Salad | BourbonandHoney.com -- This chopped bacon and blue cheese salad is packed with fresh apples, crumbled blue cheese, crispy bacon topped with a dijon vinaigrette.

What’s your favorite salad recipe?

A few more salads…
Crunchy Taco Kale Salad from How Sweet It Is
Thai Quinoa Salad from Foodie Crush
Chickpea Waldorf Salad from The Kitchn

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