Description
A delightful mix of fresh vegetables and savory bacon that satisfies your taste buds and adds a crunch to your meal. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a side for gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 cup good quality mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk (or 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice plus 1/2 cup regular milk)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
- 3 large English cucumbers, diced into half-inch pieces
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 medium red onion, very thinly sliced or finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
- 8-10 slices thick-cut beef bacon, cooked until very crispy and crumbled
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup homemade croutons or crushed butter crackers
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and buttermilk. Whisk until smooth.
- Add garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir in fresh chives, dill, and parsley. Whisk until thoroughly blended.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and deepen.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the beef bacon until crispy (about 8-10 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Dice cucumbers, wash and halve cherry tomatoes, and prepare the onion by soaking in ice water if a milder flavor is preferred. Dice celery and red bell pepper uniformly. Shred cheddar cheese from a block for optimal flavor.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine diced cucumbers, halved tomatoes, onion, celery, and bell pepper.
- Add three-quarters of the crumbled bacon and cheese, reserving some for garnish.
- Retrieve the chilled dressing, pour two-thirds over the salad mix, and toss to coat.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or platter and sprinkle with reserved bacon, cheese, and croutons.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Serve fresh and store leftovers in an airtight container. Keep salad and dressing separate if not consuming immediately.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Cooking
- Cuisine: American