This gorgeous BLT Platter Salad is a showstopper for picnics and potlucks and also makes a perfect summer weeknight meal. Arranging on a platter keeps the salad from wilting and picky eaters can build their perfect plate!
BLT Platter Salad
Picnic season is here, not to mention those busy summer nights when you might linger at the pool or park until well after your normal dinnertime. Whether you’re looking to impress a crowd or simply need to get something simple on the table for dinner, this BLT Platter Salad comes to your rescue!
All about Arranging
With all the flavors of your favorite BLT sandwich, this BLT Platter Salad makes a perfect hearty side dish or light main dish for parties, picnics or an easy weeknight dinner (pair with some grilled chicken for a heartier meal).
Even better, it requires almost no cooking — simply cook your bacon (we like to do ours on a sheet pan in a 375 degree F oven for 20 minutes), combine your dressing ingredients and arrange everything on a big platter. The key to making this salad shine is the arrangement — use tomatoes in different sizes and colors, slice mini bell peppers into rings, add cucumber rounds and (at the last moment) avocado chunks.
Dressing on the Side
For this salad, I prefer to choose light, crisp greens — my favorite is a variety called Sunny Crunch from a brand called Bright Farms (a client of mine) but any mild, crunchy lettuce variety will work. To keep the greens fresh, serve the dressing on the side! This setup is also ideal for serving at picnics and potlucks (not to mention picky eaters).
Speaking of dressing, this one is SO GOOD and so easy! Simply a mix of Minced fresh basil, Greek Yogurt, lemon juice, salt, pepper and a garlic clove. And yet, its addictively creamy and delicious paired with all those veggies!
This salad is seriously one of my favorite things to bring to cookouts and picnics because its so pretty, but we also eat it pretty regularly as part of our weeknight routine. If you’re looking for other easy, family-friendly summer dinner ideas, here are a few of my favorites:
DIY Grilled Vegetable and Pasta Bowls
Easy Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
Also, just a note that we’re getting into the time of year where you might hear from me more sporadically than usual. I’ll be spending more time with the kiddos while trying to squeeze work in at all sorts of odd moments. I hope you’ll bear with me through the summer!
Print
BLT Platter Salad is Perfect for Potlucks and Picnics
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 main dish servings 1x
- Category: salads
Description
This gorgeous BLT Platter Salad is a showstopper for picnics and potlucks and also makes a perfect summer weeknight meal. Arranging on a platter keeps the salad from wilting and picky eaters can build their perfect plate!
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 glove garlic, peeled
- juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 1/2 pound bacon, cooked and chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 10 ounces green, leafy salad greens
- 2 pints tomatoes in various sizes and colors (cocktail tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, plum tomatoes, some whole, some halved, some quartered)
- 1/2 cup cucumbers sliced and quartered
- 1/2 cup mini sweet bell peppers, seeded and sliced into rounds
- 5 radishes, quartered
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 2 avocados, seeded and diced
Instructions
- Combine dressing ingredients in a blender cup and blend until combined. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water, as needed, to thin the mixture to dressing consistency. Pour into a serving dish and chill until ready to serve.
- Meanwhile, arrange remaining salad ingredients on a large platter. Start by gently arranging salad greens in small piles on the platter. Then carefully tuck heavier ingredients like tomatoes and radishes in piles next to (but not on top of) the greens. Sprinkle additional ingredients onto platter in small groups. Be sure to leave enough space to add the bowl of dressing. Wait to add the avocado until just before serving.
Notes
Salad can be made up to 2 hours ahead — gently cover greens with wet paper towels and store in the refrigerator until time to serve.
Keywords: BLT platter salad, salad, summer salads, potluck, side dish
