Grilled Flank Steak BLT Salad: A Fresh & Flavorful Recipe with Expert Wine Pairing

Elevate your summer dining with this exquisite Steak BLT Salad, a dish that effortlessly combines rustic charm with gourmet appeal. Imagine a generous bed of crisp, mixed greens, perfectly complementing the sweetness of ripe, juicy tomato wedges and the creamy richness of fresh avocado. Add to this the smoky crunch of crispy bacon, the tender, charred notes of grilled red onions, and succulent slices of perfectly grilled flank steak, and you have a symphony of flavors and textures in every bite. This isn’t just a salad; it’s a complete, satisfying meal, designed to be both simple to prepare and wonderfully sophisticated to enjoy.

When curating my weekly menu, my first stop is often my wine cabinet. While it might seem unconventional to some, there’s a deliberate strategy behind this approach. My passion for food is matched only by my appreciation for a well-paired glass of wine, and I believe the right vino can transform a good meal into an unforgettable culinary experience. By selecting recipes that harmoniously complement the wines I have on hand, I ensure that every dinner, from casual weeknights to special occasions, is accompanied by the perfect pour.

The Art of Wine Pairing: Finding the Perfect Match for Your Steak BLT Salad

Summer often calls for crisp, refreshing white wines, and this week, my choice fell upon a delightful bottle of Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay by Jadot. This particular Chardonnay is a stellar example of why unoaked white wines are such a joy, especially during warmer months. It’s light-bodied, wonderfully refreshing, and boasts a subtle, almost effervescent quality that truly awakens the palate. What sets Jadot’s Mâcon-Villages apart is its vinification process, which avoids oak contact, allowing the true elegance of the Chardonnay grape to shine through. This method preserves its delicate aromas of green apple and citrus, along with a clean, mineral-driven flavor profile that is utterly captivating. It’s this purity and vibrant acidity that makes it an exceptional partner for a diverse array of dishes, particularly those featuring fresh, bright ingredients.

The beauty of pairing Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay with this Steak BLT Salad lies in the synergy of their characteristics. The wine’s bright acidity cuts through the richness of the grilled flank steak and the creamy avocado, refreshing your palate with each sip. Its subtle fruit notes complement the sweetness of the ripe tomatoes and the savory depth of the crispy bacon. Moreover, the unoaked profile ensures it doesn’t overpower the delicate flavors of the mixed greens or the unique, smoky sweetness of the grilled red onions. This pairing creates a balanced and harmonious dining experience, elevating both the salad and the wine. It’s a testament to how thoughtfully chosen wine can enhance the entire meal, turning a simple summer salad into a gourmet adventure.

Deconstructing the Deliciousness: Why Each Ingredient Shines

This Steak BLT Salad truly has it all, offering a delightful interplay of textures and tastes. While I deeply appreciate the tender, juicy slices of perfectly grilled flank steak that form the hearty backbone of this meal, it’s the charred slices of grilled red onion that often steal the show for me. Grilling red onions transforms them, softening their bite and coaxing out a caramelized sweetness and a subtle smokiness that is simply irresistible. I could honestly fill my plate with these savory, tender rings and be incredibly content. Their unique flavor adds a sophisticated layer to the classic BLT components, making this salad far more than just a sum of its parts.

Each ingredient in this salad plays a crucial role in creating its vibrant profile:

Flank Steak: A lean and flavorful cut, flank steak is ideal for grilling. When cooked quickly to medium-rare and thinly sliced against the grain, it becomes remarkably tender and juicy, providing a robust, protein-packed foundation for the salad. Its savory notes are a perfect contrast to the fresh vegetables.
Crispy Bacon: The quintessential “B” in BLT, bacon adds that unmistakable salty, smoky, and crunchy element that everyone loves. Its rich flavor ties the components together and provides a satisfying textural contrast.
Grilled Red Onions: As mentioned, grilling mellows their pungency and brings out a wonderful sweetness and a hint of char. These soft, flavorful rings are a revelation and a key differentiator for this salad.
Ripe Tomatoes: Sweet, acidic, and bursting with summery flavor, ripe tomatoes provide essential freshness and a vibrant color. Their juiciness adds a delightful burst of moisture with every bite.
Creamy Avocado: Adding a luxurious, velvety texture and healthy fats, avocado brings a rich, earthy flavor that beautifully balances the other ingredients. Its creaminess is a wonderful counterpoint to the crisp greens and crunchy bacon.
Mixed Greens: A diverse blend of tender and slightly bitter greens provides the light, refreshing base. The variety of textures and subtle peppery notes from certain greens add complexity.
Balsamic Vinaigrette: A homemade balsamic vinaigrette, with its perfect balance of tangy vinegar, rich olive oil, a hint of Dijon mustard, and a touch of sweetness from honey, ties all these magnificent ingredients together, enhancing their natural flavors without overpowering them.

Quick & Easy: Your Gourmet Meal in Under 30 Minutes

Adding a protein like meat, poultry, or seafood to a salad instantly transforms it from a side dish into a substantial, satisfying meal. This particular Steak BLT Salad is a fantastic example, offering a complete and flavorful dining experience that comes together in less than 30 minutes. This means more precious time for you to relax, unwind, and perhaps enjoy another glass of that delightful Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay. It’s the ultimate win-win: a gourmet-quality meal with minimal effort, perfect for a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend lunch.

For more culinary inspiration and delightful recipes, be sure to connect with Jadot on social media. You can find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. To easily locate Jadot wines in your area and discover their full range of exquisite selections, visit their website.

Print Recipe

Steak BLT Salad

A fluffy bed of mixed greens is loaded with sweet, juicy wedges of ripe tomatoes, creamy avocado, grilled red onions, crispy bacon, and juicy slices of grilled flank steak. This vibrant salad makes for a perfect summer meal, especially when paired with a crisp white wine.

Yield: 4 servings

Total Time: 22 minutes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

For the Salad

1 (1-pound) flank steak
4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
2 teaspoons canola oil (or other high-heat cooking oil)
2 large ripe tomatoes, sliced or cut into wedges
1 (5-ounce) container mixed greens (such as spring mix or baby spinach)
1 avocado, perfectly ripe and cut into chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Balsamic Vinaigrette

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

Prepare the Grill: Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. While the grill is heating, generously season both sides of the flank steak with salt and pepper. Drizzle the 1/2-inch thick red onion slices with canola oil and season each side with salt and pepper.
Grill Steak and Onions: Place the seasoned flank steak and oiled red onions on the preheated grill. Grill the steak for 5-6 minutes per side for a medium-rare to medium doneness, or to your preferred level. Grill the onions for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are tender, slightly softened, and exhibit beautiful char marks.
Rest and Slice Steak: Once grilled, remove the flank steak from the grill and allow it to rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes. This crucial step allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a tender and flavorful steak. After resting, slice the steak thinly against the grain.
Assemble the Salad: Arrange the slices of ripe tomato artfully on the bottom of a large platter or in individual serving bowls. Top with a generous portion of mixed greens, followed by the creamy avocado chunks, the wonderfully tender grilled onion slices, the crunchy crumbled bacon, and finally, the thinly sliced steak.
Make the Vinaigrette: In a mason jar or a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the balsamic vinaigrette: balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Secure the lid tightly on the mason jar and shake vigorously until all ingredients are well combined and emulsified. If using a bowl, whisk thoroughly.
Serve: Drizzle the freshly made balsamic vinaigrette generously over the assembled salad just before serving. Enjoy this vibrant and satisfying Steak BLT Salad immediately!

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Disclosure: This recipe was developed as a collaboration for the lovely folks at Maison Louis Jadot. All opinions expressed are entirely my own, reflecting my genuine enthusiasm for their products. Thank you for continuing to support my recipes and this site, which allows me to work with brands I truly admire and believe in.