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.

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

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.

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.

Avocado Bacon Salad
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.
Peachy says
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.
Natasha says
Love that idea!! I hope you enjoy it! Let me know. 🙂
Darlene Seitz says
Good choices for summer! Thank you!
Natasha says
You're very welcome! 🙂
Janiba nunez says
Perfect
Natasha says
🙂
Lynne says
When you say yellow mustard do you mean Dijon ?
We have English mustard which is yellow also but it’s strong ?
Natasha says
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.
Natasha says
Would any mustard work or only yellow mustard?
Natasha says
Hi! You could definitely change it up. Yellow mustard is fairly mild so that’s why I chose it.
Taylor says
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!
Natasha says
Excellent! So pleased the dressing will get more use! 🙂
Gloria Mellyn says
Natasha, Love your site and love all these healthy salads.
Thanks, Gloria in Arizona
Natasha says
Thanks so much, Gloria! 🙂
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
Yes I will make this salad, Natasha! Obsessed with all these flavors together. Pinned for my next BBQ!
Natasha says
That's great! Thanks, Tracy. Hope you like it!
Natasha's Sister says
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?
Natasha says
No.
Marsh says
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!
Natasha says
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.