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That Good Salad
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That Good Salad is loaded with crisp lettuce, bacon, tomatoes, avocado, Parmesan, toasted almonds and croutons, all tossed in a bold homemade lemon-garlic dressing. It’s hearty enough for dinner but works just as well as a side, and the combination of creamy, crunchy, salty and fresh ingredients is what makes it so good.
What Makes This Salad So Good
I think people completely love this salad because it has all things delicious in it: avocado, bacon, tomato, toasted almonds, croutons and a very garlicky dressing!
Those ingredients are some of my favorites, especially a really good dressing, so it only makes sense why it’s so popular. Honestly, this is one of the only salad recipes that I could eat for dinner and dessert too. I know that sounds insane, but that’s how darn good it is.
If you’re into hearty salads like this, you might also like a classic like Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, or try switching things up with this Southwestern Salad Dressing for a different flavor.
Ingredient Notes
- Lettuce – Crisp, fresh lettuce gives the salad a light, refreshing base
- Tomatoes – Ripe tomatoes add juicy sweetness and a pop of color
- Avocados – Creamy avocado brings richness and a smooth texture that balances the other ingredients
- Bacon – Crispy bacon adds savory flavor and a satisfying crunch
- Croutons – Provide a toasty texture that complements the fresh veggies
- Almonds – Toasted almonds add a nutty crunch that pairs perfectly with the other toppings
- Parmesan Cheese – Gives a salty, savory bite that enhances the overall flavor
- Lemon – Fresh lemon juice brightens flavors and adds a subtle tang that lifts the whole salad
- Garlic – Garlic adds a bold, aromatic flavor that elevates the dressing
- Olive Oil – Emulsifies the dressing and adds richness without overpowering the other flavors
How to Make That Good Salad
This salad comes together quickly with a mix of fresh ingredients and a simple homemade dressing. With just a few easy steps, everything is tossed together for a crisp, flavorful dish that’s best served right away.
Step 1: Prep the Salad
Add all of the salad ingredients to a large bowl and gently toss them together so everything is ready for the dressing.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a blender, combine the lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper and blend until the mixture is light and frothy. With the blender running, slowly stream in the olive oil until the dressing is well emulsified and smooth.
Step 3: Dress & Serve
Drizzle the amount of dressing you like over the salad and toss to coat evenly. Serve right away for the best texture and freshness.
Make‑Ahead Tip: If preparing ahead of time, wait to add the avocados, croutons, and dressing until just before serving so everything stays fresh and crisp.
Tips for Success
- Dry the lettuce well – Excess water can dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.
- Crisp the bacon properly – Cook until golden and firm so it holds its texture in the salad.
- Add avocado just before serving – This keeps it from browning and getting too soft.
- Stream in the olive oil slowly – This helps the dressing emulsify into a smooth, cohesive mixture.
- Taste the dressing first – Adjust lemon, salt, or pepper as needed before tossing.
This good salad checks every box. Fresh, satisfying, packed with flavor, and worth making again and again. You’ll toss it together once, then keep coming back to it. Printable recipe card is below! Have a wonderful weekend, friends!
That Good Salad
This “That Good Salad” lives up to its name with a mix of crisp greens, hearty toppings, and a bold garlic dressing that ties everything together.
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon cooked and crumbled
- 12 oz pre-washed lettuce I used a mix of baby kale and romaine
- 5 roma tomatoes diced
- 2/3 cup slivered almonds toasted
- 2 ripe avocados diced
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups croutons
dressing:
- 2 lemons juiced
- 3 large cloves garlic roughly chopped
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place all ingredients for salad into large bowl.
- For dressing, blend lemon juice, garlic and salt and pepper in a blender until frothy. With blender on, slowly add in olive oil to emulsify.
- Pour desired amount of dressing over salad and toss together. Serve immediately!
- *If you want to make this in advance, do not add avocados, croutons or dressing until ready to serve!
Nutrition
Calories: 499kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 17gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 48mgSodium: 629mgPotassium: 638mgFiber: 7gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 739IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 198mgIron: 2mg
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More Recipes to Try
If you make this recipe, I would really appreciate it if you would give it a star rating and leave your review in the comments! If you have a picture of your finished dish, post it on Instagram using the hashtag #laurenslatest and tag me @laurens_latest.
This is the best salad ever! I get rave reviews every time I serve it.
Made this last night. Loved it. Only change I made was I added hard boiled eggs and swapped walnuts for the almonds. Will be making again!