This Apple Salad with Bacon is easy to throw together and full of delicious flavor! Made with crisp, fresh ingredients with a luscious dressing, you will want to bring this salad to every get together.

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This Apple Salad with Bacon is fast becoming one of my favorites! I’m kind of obsessed with giant salads that can double as entrees for a few people or a great side for a party. And with hearty apples, tangy cheese and crunchy nuts, this salad fills you up without being too heavy.

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What Goes in an Apple Salad with Bacon?

  • The base of this salad is Romain lettuce , but if you are a big spinach fan, throw that in instead. I love how flexible salads are.
  • Throw in a thinly sliced green and red apple .
  • Then add in some crumbled goat cheese . I know that goat cheese is an acquired taste, so if that’s not your jam, then add some feta cheese.
  • Add some crisply cooked bacon . YUMM.
  • You will want to toss in some thinly sliced red onion . Also, I totally want to try this with pickled red onions.
  • Toss in some pecans . If you happen to have walnuts on hand or another nut, add those instead.
  • Finally you are going to add a homemade dressing that has an amazing tangy zip to it.
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How to Make Homemade Salad Dressing

The dressing for this salad is so delicious and comes together in a snap! You can use it on dozens of salads or drizzle it over chicken, steak or grilled veggies. Here’s all you need:

  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Mustard – I use a basic yellow mustard but brown or Dijon would work great too.
  • Olive Oil
  • Garlic
  • Hot Sauce – Need a little less kick? Ease up on the amount of hot sauce. Also you can add a dash or two more if you want it spicier.
  • Honey
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Paprika
  • Onion Powder

Other Great Salad Recipes

  • This Strawberry Spinach Salad will stand out at any party both for how pretty it is as well as how delicious!
  • My family has been making this Spinach Bacon Salad for family gatherings for years!
  • This Roasted Beet Salad was so delicious, I ate whole plates of it myself for weeks after posting this recipe.
  • I’m completely in love with this Tuscan Tuna Salad !
  • This Apple Blueberry Walnut Salad looks almost too beautiful to eat!
  • I love how different this Garlicky Kale Orange Salad is! It is such a great compliment to a grilling menu!
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The flavors in this salad go perfectly together and I know that you will love it for a light dinner or for a side dish at a potluck or barbecue!

If you try this or any of my other recipes be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram ( @lisasimplejoy ) and tag it #simplejoy! I love to see what you are making!

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Ingredients

  • 3 heads Romain lettuce chopped
  • 1 gala apple sliced thin
  • 1 green apple sliced thin
  • 1/2 red onion sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 1/2 cup pecans
  • 1/2 pound bacon diced and cooked until crisp

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a mason jar and shake well until fully combined. Serve on the side, allowing people to dress their own salads, and shake well before each pour.
  • Toss the rest of the ingredients together and serve.
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did you make this

Apple Bacon Salad

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overhead view of apple bacon salad with goat cheese and nuts - 7

Apple Bacon Salad

Ingredients

  • 3 heads Romain lettuce chopped
  • 1 gala apple sliced thin
  • 1 green apple sliced thin
  • 1/2 red onion sliced thin
  • 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese
  • 1/2 cup pecans
  • 1/2 pound bacon diced and cooked until crisp

Dressing

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons mustard
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 3 teaspoons hot sauce
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  • Combine all the ingredients for the dressing in a mason jar and shake well until fully combined. Serve on the side, allowing people to dress their own salads, and shake well before each pour.

  • Toss the rest of the ingredients together and serve.

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