The paleo solution

CANDIED BACON SALAD

Remember when bacon was A Thing? It was everywhere. Bacon chocolate, bacon cupcakes . . . I love bacon as much as the next Paleo person, but I’m glad to see that the hype has died down a bit. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to freak out about this candied bacon, though. It’s really more of a garnish than anything else, which is why I came up with this sweet and tangy salad that is the perfect vehicle for it. SERVES 4

PREP TIME: 5 minutes

COOK TIME: 20 minutes

10 to 12 ounces thick-cut bacon, halved or quartered

½ cup maple syrup

3 to 4 cups (960 ml) field greens (or your favorite salad mix)

½ cup pecans

¼ cup Apple Cider Vinaigrette (here)

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. On a baking sheet, lay out the bacon in a single layer, and brush with the maple syrup. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bacon is as crispy as you like it. Chop or crumble the bacon into bite-size pieces.
3. In a large serving bowl, toss the greens with the pecans and Apple Cider Vinaigrette. Top with the candied bacon, and serve.

VARIATION 1 SPICY CANDIED BACON: Sprinkle the bacon with ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper before baking.

VARIATION 2 HONEY CANDIED BACON: Swap the maple syrup for honey—just drizzle a little on each piece, and rub it in with your hands.

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This candied bacon salad brushes thick-cut bacon with maple syrup and bakes it until crisp and lacquered, then piles it over field greens and pecans with apple cider vinaigrette. Sweet, tangy, smoky, and crunchy all at once. The bacon is really a garnish - and it makes the dish.

Pro Tips

• Lay the bacon in a single layer and brush it with maple syrup before baking. 15-20 minutes at 400°F gets it as crispy as you like.
• Chop or crumble the cooled bacon into bite-size pieces so every forkful of salad gets some.
• Toss the greens and pecans with the vinaigrette first, then top with the bacon so the candy coating stays crisp.
• Spicy candied bacon: sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of ground cayenne over the bacon before it goes into the oven.
• Honey candied bacon: swap the maple syrup for honey and rub it into each piece with your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is candied bacon salad paleo?

It is - the bacon is candied with maple syrup (use honey for stricter Whole30) and served over greens, pecans, and apple cider vinaigrette.

Can I make the candied bacon ahead of time?

Yes - bake it and cool it completely, then store it at room temperature for a day. Dress the salad just before serving.

How do I keep the bacon crisp in the salad?

Cool it completely and add it as the final topping, after the greens are already dressed.

What is the vinaigrette in this salad?

Apple cider vinaigrette - its tang cuts through the sweet, smoky bacon and the rich pecans.

Recipe Card

Stav Kogan

CANDIED BACON SALAD

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 10 to 12 ounces thick-cut bacon, halved or quartered
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 3 to 4 cups field greens (or your favorite salad mix)
• ½ cup pecans
• ¼ cup Apple Cider Vinaigrette (here)
• On a baking sheet, lay out the bacon in a single layer, and brush with the maple syrup. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the bacon is as crispy as you like it. Chop or crumble the bacon into bite-size pieces.

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. In a large serving bowl, toss the greens with the pecans and Apple Cider Vinaigrette.
3. Top with the candied bacon, and serve.

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