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This Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon and Tomato Vinaigrette takes the traditional spinach salad with hot bacon dressing to a new level by cooking grape tomatoes in the bacon fat just to the point of bursting to give the dressing body and a depth of flavor that is amazing!
Looking for more low carb and keto salad recipe ideas? Give this Big Mac Salad in a Jar or Keto Shrimp and Spinach Salad with Feta a try!
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MORE KETO & LOW CARB SALAD RECIPES
Loaded Broccoli Salad | Buffalo Chicken Chopped Salad
Is Salad always Keto?
That is a good question and the answer of course would be based on what ingredients you put into the salad right?
So let's break down what to add to a keto or low carb salad.
Well, we have to start at the beginning right? So grab a green, any old green, they are all OK so feel free to pile them up.
Now we can move on to the supporting cast, aka veggies, and there are a ton of great low carb choices out there. The most popular would be things like tomatoes, mushrooms, bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, and avocado.
Then we have to decide on a salad dressing. You of course want to grab a sugar-free dressing. Just make sure to read the ingredient list to make sure it fits into your macros. A few of our faves are Creamy Low-Carb Lemon Vinaigrette, Basil Vinaigrette, and Avocado Ranch Dressing and Dip.
Here is where you can add a protein if you would like.
And you want to top it off with a crunch. Nuts and things like Parmesan crisps are a great choices.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE SPINACH SALAD WITH HOT BACON AND TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
INGREDIENTS
- Bacon
- Baby spinach
- Grape tomatoes
- Garlic
- Parmesan cheese
- Red wine vinegar
- Parmesan crisps
- Black pepper
HOW TO MAKE SPINACH SALAD WITH HOT BACON AND TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
STEP 1
Put the spinach in a wide, shallow serving bowl.
STEP 2
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it begins to crisp and renders its fat.
STEP 3
Remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.
STEP 4
Add the grape tomatoes to the bacon fat stirring to make sure they are well coated.
STEP 6
Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes begin to burst, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute or two, until the garlic begins to become fragrant and turns golden. Press any tomatoes that haven't burst carefully with the bacon of the spoon.
STEP 7
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan and vinegar.
STEP 8
Pour the hot tomato mixture over the spinach, tossing gently, until the spinach is wilted.
STEP 9
Top with the crumbled Parmesan crisps, season with fresh cracked black pepper, and serve immediately.
FAQS ABOUT SPINACH SALAD WITH HOT BACON AND TOMATO VINAIGRETTE
Can I make this Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon and Tomato Vinaigrette with regular tomatoes?
I have not done so, but I would think that it would be fine. If you do try it I would suggest a pound of plum tomatoes that have been seeded and rough-chopped.
Do I have to use Parmesan crisps in this salad?
No, it is not a necessity, but I will say they add that bit of crunch that a lot of people enjoy from something like bread or croutons.
How do I save the leftover Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon and Tomato Vinaigrette?
This is not a salad that saves well. I am not picky and will eat a bit of soggy salad, I have even tossed in some leftover cooked chicken the next day. But if you have texture issues I would not suggest leftovers.
Last thoughts about Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon and Tomato Vinaigrette
This is one of those salads that I like to pull out for company, or on a night when we are feeling a bit "fancy" and are grilling steaks and/or some kind of seafood.
You know those nights when a regular salad just sounds boring?
So I will make this salad at least once a month.
I have been known to add things like chopped red onion, sliced mushrooms, chopped bell peppers, or some crumbled blue cheese or gorgonzola to change it up a bit.
All of those adaptations have been met with thumbs up and yums, so this is really just a jumping-off point for you to add your own imagination.
MORE KETO AND LOW CARB SALAD IDEAS
- BLT Cauliflower Salad
- Deviled Egg Cauliflower Salad
- Spicy Peanut Cucumber Noodle Salad
- Keto Cobb Salad
- Salmon Salad with Avocado
- Grilled Chili Lime Chicken Fajita Salad
Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon and Tomato Vinaigrette
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 10 ounces baby spinach rinsed and spun dry
- 1 clove garlic coarsely chopped
- 1/2 cup Fresh grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/3 cup Parmesan crisps coarsely crumbled
- cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Put the spinach in a large mixing bowl.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until it begins to crisp and renders its fat.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Add the grape tomatoes to the bacon fat stirring to make sure they are well coated.
- Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes begin to burst, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute or two, until the garlic begins to become fragrant and turns golden. Press any tomatoes that haven't burst carefully with the bacon of the spoon.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan and vinegar.
- Pour the hot tomato mixture over the spinach, tossing gently, until the spinach is wilted.
- Top with the crumbled Parmesan crisps, season with fresh cracked black pepper, and serve immediately.
Notes
Disclaimer
Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs will not be included as it has a glycemic index of 0 (meaning it does not spike blood sugar) and it’s not metabolized. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Nutrition
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