Ultimate BLT Salad with Grilled Corn and Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing: Your New Favorite Meal
Prepare to elevate your salad game with this incredible BLT Salad featuring sweet Grilled Corn and a luscious homemade Avocado Ranch Dressing. This isn’t just any salad; it’s a vibrant symphony of textures and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling utterly satisfied. Forget bland, uninspired greens – this dish transforms the classic BLT into a dynamic, wholesome, and exciting meal that you’ll crave again and again. With perfectly crispy bacon, juicy ripe tomatoes, tender grilled corn kernels, and fresh, crisp greens, all brought together by a rich, creamy, and herbaceous avocado ranch, every bite is a delightful experience. It’s truly a culinary masterpiece that promises both freshness and indulgence without compromise.
This BLT Salad with Grilled Corn and Avocado Ranch Dressing has quickly become an indispensable part of my weekly meal rotation, particularly for a satisfying lunch. Its irresistible combination of fresh ingredients and a uniquely flavorful dressing makes it a dish I simply can’t get enough of. What truly sets this salad apart, beyond its delicious taste, is its remarkable adaptability and the ease with which its components can be prepared in advance. This feature makes it an absolute lifesaver for anyone with a busy schedule, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet-quality meal without the last-minute rush. When you’re ready to serve, the magic happens in moments: simply toss the prepped ingredients into a large bowl, drizzle generously with the unbelievably good avocado ranch dressing, and watch as a spectacular meal comes to life. It’s a testament to how simple preparation can lead to extraordinary flavors.
The Ultimate Meal Prep Solution for Busy Weekdays
Beyond being a fantastic impromptu meal, this BLT salad excels as a strategic component of your weekly meal prep. The beauty lies in its design: you can prepare the salad components and the dressing ahead of time, keeping them separate to maintain freshness and texture. Cook your bacon until perfectly crisp, grill your corn to smoky perfection, chop your tomatoes and onions, and prepare your mixed greens. Whip up a batch of the creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing and store it in an airtight container. Then, simply divide each component into individual airtight containers for an effortless grab-and-go lunch option throughout the week. Store these prepped containers in the refrigerator, ready to be picked up as you head out the door each morning. This method ensures your salad stays crisp and vibrant, preventing any sogginess until you’re ready to enjoy it. It’s a smart, healthy, and delicious way to ensure you have nutritious meals even on your busiest days, making healthy eating both convenient and enjoyable.
A Versatile Dish for Any Time of Day
I confess, I’ve been enjoying this salad almost non-stop for days – not just for lunch and dinner, but even for breakfast! Yes, you read that right, breakfast. It’s truly amazing when topped with a perfectly fried or poached egg. The rich, warm, and delightfully drippy yolk beautifully mingles with the tender greens, crisp bacon, sweet corn, and tangy dressing, creating an unparalleled burst of flavor and a wonderfully luxurious texture. This unexpected twist elevates the salad into a hearty, protein-packed morning meal that is beyond tasty and incredibly satisfying. Don’t be afraid to experiment; this salad’s robust flavors make it an ideal canvas for various additions, transforming it into a complete and fulfilling meal for any time of day, whether you’re starting your morning or winding down with dinner.
Crafting the Irresistible Avocado Ranch Dressing
The star of this BLT salad, arguably more than the crispy bacon itself, is the extraordinary Avocado Ranch Dressing. This isn’t just a basic ranch; it’s a vibrant, fresh, and healthier twist on my beloved Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Dressing. The secret lies in incorporating a large, ripe avocado, which replaces a significant portion of traditional mayonnaise, resulting in a dressing that is both incredibly creamy and remarkably nutritious. The creamy avocado not only adds a beautiful, subtle green hue to the dressing but also infuses it with a wealth of health benefits. Avocados are packed with healthy monounsaturated fats, essential fiber, and crucial folic acid, making this dressing a guilt-free indulgence that actively contributes to your well-being. It’s a clever way to boost the nutritional profile of your meal without sacrificing an ounce of flavor.
To ensure this dressing truly sings with flavor, I’ve loaded it with a thoughtful combination of fresh herbs and aromatics. Fresh parsley and dill bring bright, herbaceous notes, while chopped scallions add a mild, oniony kick, and a clove of garlic provides a savory depth. This meticulous blend guarantees that the dressing is anything but bland – it absolutely bursts with fresh, complex flavors. A splash of buttermilk is essential not only for achieving the perfect pourable consistency but, more importantly, for imparting that signature tangy flavor that is the hallmark of a truly great ranch dressing. The buttermilk’s acidity balances the richness of the avocado and mayonnaise, creating a harmonious and addictive dressing that perfectly complements every component of the salad. Once you try this avocado ranch, you’ll understand why it’s a game-changer and why it will soon become your favorite dressing, not just for this BLT salad, but for countless other dishes as well. It’s incredibly versatile and elevates any meal it accompanies.
Why This BLT Salad Will Become Your Go-To Summer Dish
There’s something inherently delightful about a BLT, and transforming it into a salad makes it even more refreshing and versatile. This particular rendition, with its addition of grilled corn and a sensational avocado ranch dressing, elevates it to an entirely new level. It’s a dish that perfectly captures the essence of summer, yet its comforting flavors make it enjoyable year-round. The combination of textures – crisp bacon, tender greens, juicy tomatoes, and slightly charred corn – provides an exciting culinary experience with every forkful. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, looking for a light yet satisfying lunch, or seeking a creative dinner solution, this salad fits the bill perfectly. Its robust flavors and vibrant appearance make it a crowd-pleaser and a standout dish on any table.
Key Ingredients Spotlight: What Makes This Salad Shine
- Crispy Bacon: The quintessential “B” in BLT. For the best flavor and texture, cook bacon until truly crispy, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Oven baking is an excellent method for even crispiness and less mess.
- Ripe Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes are ideal here. Their small size means minimal chopping, and their concentrated sweetness and juiciness explode with flavor in every bite. Halving them releases their natural goodness.
- Sweet Grilled Corn: This is where the magic happens! Grilling the corn adds a smoky sweetness and a slight char that is simply unparalleled. You can grill whole cobs and then cut off the kernels, or even use frozen corn kernels tossed quickly on a hot pan or grill pan for a similar effect if fresh is unavailable.
- Delicate Greens: A mix of greens like arugula, mesclun, and romaine provides a wonderful variety of textures and peppery notes that complement the richness of the bacon and dressing. Don’t stick to just one!
- Creamy Avocado: Beyond the dressing, diced avocado can be added directly to the salad for extra creaminess and healthy fats. Ensure it’s perfectly ripe for the best texture.
- Thinly Sliced Red Onion: A little goes a long way. Thin slices add a sharp, zesty crunch that cuts through the richness and brightens the overall flavor profile of the salad.
Tips for Success and Delicious Variations
Achieving the perfect BLT Salad with Grilled Corn and Avocado Ranch Dressing is easy with a few simple tips and offers plenty of room for customization:
- Grilling Corn: If you’re using fresh corn, peel back the husks, remove the silk, and then pull the husks back up to protect the kernels while grilling. Grill over medium-high heat, turning frequently, until kernels are tender and slightly charred. Alternatively, if grilling isn’t an option, you can roast corn kernels in the oven or sauté them in a pan until lightly browned.
- Bacon Perfection: To get truly crispy bacon, consider baking it on a wire rack set over a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until desired crispiness is reached. This method ensures even cooking and less splatter.
- Preventing Avocado Browning: If dicing avocado for the salad itself and preparing ahead, toss it lightly with a squeeze of lemon juice to help prevent browning.
- Customizing Your Greens: While a mix is recommended, feel free to use your favorite lettuce. Butter lettuce, spinach, or even kale (massaged first) can work beautifully.
- Cheese Please! The recipe intentionally omits cheese to highlight the core flavors, but don’t let that stop you. Crumbled blue cheese, tangy feta, or freshly grated Parmesan would all be incredible additions, adding another layer of savory complexity.
- Add More Protein: To make this an even heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken strips, pan-seared shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
- Spice it Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the dressing or a dash of hot sauce over the finished salad can provide a welcome kick.
This BLT Salad with Grilled Corn and Avocado Ranch Dressing is truly a celebration of fresh, vibrant flavors and satisfying textures. Its make-ahead potential makes it a dream for busy individuals, while its adaptable nature means you can enjoy it in countless ways. Whether you’re serving it for a casual lunch, a hearty breakfast, or a light dinner, it’s guaranteed to be a hit. Get ready for this delightful creation to become a staple in your kitchen, offering a fresh perspective on what a salad can be!
BLT Salad with Grilled Corn and Avocado Ranch Dressing
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Ingredients
Salad
- 8 cups lettuce, I used a mixture of arugula, mesclun greens, and romaine for varied texture and flavor
- 2 avocados, diced (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 8 slices bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved for a burst of flavor
- 1 cup grilled corn kernels, freshly grilled for smoky sweetness
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced for a delicate crunch
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Avocado Ranch Dressing
- 1 large avocado, peeled and pitted for creaminess
- 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped for pungent flavor
- ¼ cup mayonnaise, for richness
- ⅔ cup sour cream, for tang and body
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed for brightness
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped, for herbaceous notes
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped, for a distinctive flavor
- 1 scallion, roughly chopped, for a mild onion flavor
- ½ teaspoon Beau Monde seasoning, by Spice Islands (or seasoned salt as a substitute)
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, for umami depth
- ¼ cup buttermilk, for thinning and tang
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
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To prepare the irresistible Avocado Ranch Dressing, combine all dressing ingredients (avocado, garlic, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, fresh parsley, fresh dill, scallion, Beau Monde seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and buttermilk) into the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the mixture until it achieves a perfectly smooth and creamy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Once prepared, transfer the dressing to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. This delicious dressing will remain fresh for up to one week, making it perfect for meal prepping.
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To assemble your vibrant BLT Salad, add all the prepared salad ingredients (lettuce, diced avocado if using, crumbled bacon, halved grape or cherry tomatoes, grilled corn kernels, and thinly sliced red onion) to a large mixing bowl. Gently toss all ingredients together to combine them thoroughly, ensuring an even distribution of flavors and textures. Finally, season the salad with salt and pepper to your preference before drizzling generously with the homemade Avocado Ranch Dressing and serving immediately.
Notes
- If you are preparing the salad components ahead of time for meal prep, it is highly recommended to add the diced avocado only on the day you plan to serve it. This prevents the avocado from browning and ensures optimal freshness and appearance.
- Should you find Beau Monde seasoning difficult to locate, a suitable substitute is seasoned salt. Begin with ¼ teaspoon and add more gradually to taste, adjusting until you achieve the desired flavor profile.
- While the original recipe does not explicitly call for cheese, this versatile salad welcomes additions! Crumbled blue cheese, a sprinkle of sharp cheddar, or freshly grated Parmesan cheese would all make delightful and savory enhancements, complementing the existing flavors wonderfully.