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    Home » Salads

    Avocado Bacon Salad

    Published: Jun 11, 2018 / Updated: Jul 14, 2022 / 20 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe

    This avocado bacon salad recipe has a mouthwatering honey mustard dressing that perfectly complements the crispy bacon and creamy avocado. Mozzarella tops off this loaded summer salad!

    Got avocadoes you need to use up? Try my restaurant-style Homemade Guacamole Recipe or Garlic Shrimp and Avocado Crostini next.

    close-up of avocado bacon salad with honey mustard vinaigrette in beige bowl

    Why you'll love it

    This avocado salad is the best because not only does it look gorgeous, it tastes just as good as it looks! I'm one of those people who really enjoys a salad that's hearty and packed with fresh and satisfying ingredients. This is not a wimpy salad and makes a fantastic entrée. I made sure to go full-on in the flavor department.

    Just picture this colorful avocado, bacon, and spinach salad at your next BBQ or picnic this summer. It's the ideal crowd-pleasing salad since it's so quick and easy to make. It's equally good for a lazy warm evening on the patio or for date night. The crown jewel is the homemade honey mustard dressing. It's incredibly addictive, so don't be surprised if everyone asks for the recipe!

    What goes into it

    For the salad

    • Bacon - for that savory and delicious crunch
    • Tomatoes - use grape, cherry, or any variety of little tomatoes that's ripe and fresh at the grocery store or farmers' market to give a sweet quality
    • Spinach - it's a healthy and hearty leafy green
    • Avocadoes - the creamy star of our salad. To find a ripe avocado, make sure that it's fairly dark in color, just soft to the touch, and flick off the little nub to reveal green (not brown).
    • Mozzarella - we're using the mini kind that's also known as bocconcini for cheesy goodness
    • Red onion - this is the ideal variety for salads since it's milder

    For the dressing

    • Yellow mustard - this is a typical American variety that's quite mild
    • Honey - for a touch of sweetness and that signature honey mustard taste
    • Lemon juice - always use fresh lemon juice. It adds a little acidity for overall balance.
    • Olive oil - for the base of the dressing
    • Garlic powder - it adds an irresistible savory dimension. Don't skip it!
    • Parsley - chopped parsley gives a burst of freshness
    close-up of avocado, bacon, tomato, spinach salad with mozzarella

    How to make bacon avocado salad

    This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

    • Cut the bacon into small pieces. I use kitchen shears to make this step simple. Fry until nice and crispy, and discard the bacon grease.
    • Wash, chop, and prep the rest of the salad ingredients, adding them to a large bowl.
    • Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Give it a taste, season with salt & pepper, and adjust to your preferences. Dress the salad, toss, and enjoy immediately!

    Substitutions and variations

    • If mozzarella isn't your thing, try substituting with feta instead.
    • This salad is fairly flexible, so if there's something you're not fond of, simply leave it out.
    • A handful of whatever fresh garden herbs you've got on hand would be great to throw in.

    What to serve with this salad

    • Since this is a filling salad, it makes a fabulous meal on its own on a hot day. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread, and you're all set.
    • You can also serve it as a side dish along with other BBQ or potluck favorites like Tequila Lime Shrimp, my Cajun Grilled Corn on the Cob, or The Best Ground Chicken Burgers.

    Leftovers and storage

    • As with many salads, this bacon avocado salad is best eaten fresh.
    • If you are planning on having leftovers or assembling it later, though, I'd store all of the ingredients separately and make a fresh salad when you're ready and wait to cut up the avocado until the last minute. These glass jars are a favorite of mine to keep homemade salad dressing in.
    • If this salad has been sitting outside for any length of time, I'd discard leftovers for food safety reasons.

    More summer favorites

    • Easy Italian Pasta Salad
    • Cilantro Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs
    • Easy Macaroni Salad
    • Grilled Eggplant and Spinach Salad
    • Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
    avocado bacon salad with honey mustard dressing in beige bowl and parsley garnish

    Hope you enjoy this easy avocado bacon salad recipe! Did you make it? Let me know in the comments below, and tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.

    This easy avocado bacon salad with spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella, and a honey mustard vinaigrette dressing is perfect for healthy summer lunches. Quick and easy!

    Avocado Bacon Salad

    This avocado bacon salad recipe has a mouthwatering honey mustard dressing that perfectly complements the crispy bacon and creamy avocado. Mozzarella tops off this loaded summer salad!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 457 kcal
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    • 6 strips bacon cut into small pieces
    • 12 ounces little tomatoes (e.g. grape or cherry) cut into halves
    • 1 (5 ounce) package baby spinach
    • 2 avocados diced
    • 3.5 ounces mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
    • 2 tablespoons red onion chopped
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Dressing:

    • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
    • Salt & pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cut bacon into small pieces (I use kitchen shears to make this easy) and add it to a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry until crispy (about 10-12 minutes). Once it's cooked, discard the fat or save it for another use.
    • Meanwhile, prep your other salad ingredients and add them to a large salad bowl.
    • Add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined.
    • Toss salad with dressing and serve immediately. 

    Notes

    • As always, adjust salad dressing ingredients to your tastes (e.g. add more lemon or oil).
    • Serves 2 as a main course or 4+ as a side salad.
    • Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only and should be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Salt & Lavender makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.
       

    Nutrition

    Calories: 457kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 13gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 318mgPotassium: 975mgFiber: 9gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 4277IUVitamin C: 34mgCalcium: 151mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword avocado bacon salad
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Pineapple Shrimp Skewers Recipe
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    1. Peachy says

      July 31, 2022 at 6:05 PM

      This sounds so good. Going to get what I need from the store to make it. I think I'm going to add some garlic sauted shrimp and make it a meal.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 31, 2022 at 7:09 PM

        Love that idea!! I hope you enjoy it! Let me know. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Darlene Seitz says

      July 11, 2022 at 9:30 AM

      Good choices for summer! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        July 11, 2022 at 10:03 AM

        You're very welcome! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Janiba nunez says

      January 18, 2021 at 10:48 PM

      Perfect

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        January 19, 2021 at 9:51 AM

        🙂

        Reply
    4. Lynne says

      August 24, 2020 at 11:19 AM

      When you say yellow mustard do you mean Dijon ?
      We have English mustard which is yellow also but it’s strong ?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 25, 2020 at 9:53 AM

        Hi! No, I don't mean Dijon or English mustard. It is definitely more mild. This is the kind I used for this recipe: https://www.mccormick.com/frenchs/products/mustard/classic-yellow-mustard - I recommend doing a quick Google search and reading up on it in case this brand isn't available in your area. Yellow mustard is widely available and sold by various brands in North America, though.

        Reply
    5. Natasha says

      May 16, 2020 at 10:18 PM

      Would any mustard work or only yellow mustard?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 16, 2020 at 10:22 PM

        Hi! You could definitely change it up. Yellow mustard is fairly mild so that’s why I chose it.

        Reply
    6. Taylor says

      August 20, 2019 at 6:50 AM

      5 stars
      Awesome recipe! I only had spinach, avocado, bacon, red onion and croutons on hand and it was still delicious. Definitely will be using the honey mustard dressing recipe over and over again, thanks!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        August 20, 2019 at 9:13 AM

        Excellent! So pleased the dressing will get more use! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Gloria Mellyn says

      June 17, 2018 at 2:28 PM

      Natasha, Love your site and love all these healthy salads.
      Thanks, Gloria in Arizona

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 17, 2018 at 3:26 PM

        Thanks so much, Gloria! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Tracy | Baking Mischief says

      June 13, 2018 at 1:00 PM

      5 stars
      Yes I will make this salad, Natasha! Obsessed with all these flavors together. Pinned for my next BBQ!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 13, 2018 at 1:01 PM

        That's great! Thanks, Tracy. Hope you like it!

        Reply
    9. Natasha's Sister says

      June 11, 2018 at 9:47 AM

      5 stars
      Since I got you that bowl for your birthday, the least you could do is make me this salad but without bacon. Are you going to?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        June 11, 2018 at 9:48 AM

        No.

        Reply
        • Marsh says

          June 25, 2018 at 1:24 PM

          You made me snort with that reply. Just what my sister would have said!

          Also love the bowl, and am going to make the salad for tonight's dinner with some added grilled chicken breast. My stomach's growling at the thought right now. Your pictures really sold this!

          Reply
          • Natasha says

            June 25, 2018 at 1:32 PM

            Haha sisters are the best, right?! Thanks! I really like it too! I hope you love the recipe!! Grilled chicken would be an excellent addition.

            Reply

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