A simple salad of baby spinach, mushrooms, and red onion becomes special when dressed with old-fashioned Hot Bacon Dressing. Sweet and salty with rich bacon flavor and a touch of tang, this warm dressing is utterly crave-worthy.
Hot Bacon Dressing transforms leafy greens into comforting, flavorful fare.
Lots Of Bacon Flavor
The secret is bacon—crispy pieces plus a little bacon grease. Together they build deep, smoky flavor. I often sauté sweet Vidalia onion in the bacon fat first to add another layer of sweetness and complexity.
This dressing is sweet, and while it may seem sugary, the apple cider vinegar balances the sweetness with bright acidity. A small amount of cornstarch thickens the dressing so it clings to leaves and other vegetables, giving a silky, satisfying coating.
Type Of Bacon To Use
Use whatever bacon you prefer. Regular, thick-cut, or applewood-smoked all work—choose the flavor profile you like best.
How To Serve
Serve Hot Bacon Dressing over a simple salad of baby spinach, sliced mushrooms, and red onion. Hard-boiled eggs make a great addition. The dressing pairs best with sturdy greens like spinach, endive, or radicchio since it is warm and clingy, but it also works well at room temperature.
Beyond salads, this dressing is delicious spooned over roasted Brussels sprouts or tossed with green beans for a savory-sweet side.
Try These Other Salad Dressings
- Creamy Italian Dressing
- Creamy Parmesan Dressing
- Ginger Salad Dressing
- Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
- Bourbon Vinaigrette
- Kalamata Olive and Feta Dressing
- Creamy Balsamic Dressing
Hot Bacon Dressing
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, diced
- 1/4 cup finely diced Vidalia onion
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
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Cook diced bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Leave 2 tablespoons bacon grease in the pan.
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Add the Vidalia onion to the pan and cook until softened.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Stir in water and apple cider vinegar until smooth.
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Pour the mixture into the pan, return the bacon to the pan, and add black pepper. Cook, whisking, until the dressing thickens slightly, about 2 minutes. It will thicken more as it cools.
Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 21 g |
Protein: 3 g |
Fat: 9 g
Nutrition information is estimated and should be used as an approximation.
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