Crisp Winter Lettuces with Warm Sweet-and-Sharp Dressing

A vibrant winter salad featuring a mix of fresh lettuces and greens dressed with a warm, sweet-tangy bacon dressing. The combination of crispy bacon and a cider vinegar-based dressing creates a perfect balance of flavors.

8 servings
25 min

Ingredients

  • 12 cups mixed salad greens such as romaine, watercress, and Bibb and/or Boston
  • 1 bunch arugula
  • 6 whole scallions
  • 2 tablespoons chives
  • 9 slices bacon
  • cups cider vinegar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
  • teaspoons kosher salt

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Tear greens into large pieces and put in a large salad bowl with arugula, scallions, and chives.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Cook bacon in a 12-inch nonreactive skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, then stir vinegar, sugars, salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper into fat in skillet. Boil, stirring occasionally, until reduced to about 3/4 cup, 10 to 12 minutes. (Dressing should be syrupy and bubbling.)

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Crumble bacon over salad, then toss with enough warm dressing to lightly coat. Season with salt and pepper.

    5 min

Recommended to use Recipe Notes to manage your recipes