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Home » Savory » BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons

BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons

Published: Jan 14, 2021 · Modified: Jan 14, 2021 by Mara · This post may contain affiliate links - as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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If you’re looking to make the perfect Valentine’s Day salad, look no further than this BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons. It's a steakhouse classic with a BLT inspired twist. It's finished with the most adorable heart-shaped crotons and a simple delicious ranch-like dressing.

Overhead of BLT Wedge Salads with Heart Croutons with a rose and small rose petal off on the left and 2 red wine glass

Planning a special night in this Valentine's Day? Here's a really simple, yet elegant and impressive salad course for you and your valentine(s). This BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons takes the classic steakhouse salad and makes a few delicious changes. We stick with the traditional iceberg lettuce but use pancetta (a salumi made of salt-cured pork belly) instead of bacon, rainbow cherry tomatoes, herby toasted heart-shaped croutons, a simple homemade ranch-like dressing and it's finished with freshly cracked pepper and finely diced chives.

This salad is inspired by memories of going to steakhouse restaurants with my family on Valentine's Day. You can always find a wedge salads on their menu. No need to dine out. This salad is perfect as a starter or salad course for your Valentine's Day dinner in. No reservations required!

Straight on photo of 1 BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons with more salads and 2 wine glass full of red wine in the background

Why You Need to Make this BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons

  • Perfect for Valentine's Day, anniversaries, date night's in and any romantic occasions
  • An easy salad to put together, almost fool proof to make!
  • Crunchy, light and crisp lettuce with lots of tasty toppings

BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons Ingredients Photo

BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons Ingredients Photo

Ranch Dressing Ingredients Photos
Croutons Ingredients Photos

See the full list of ingredients and quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Step-by-Step Process Photos

How to Make Croutons:

  1. Using a mini *heart cookie cutter, cut out shapes from the sliced bread**.
  2. Toss hearts in olive oil, herbs, chili flake (optional) and salt. Place on a baking sheet lined with foil.
  3. Bake for 13-15 minutes until crunchy. Remove from oven. Set oven to broil.
  4. Broil for 20-30 seconds golden brown, flip and broil for another 20-30 seconds until golden brown. Remove from oven. Set aside.

*I used this this Ateco 12 Piece Mini Stainless Steel Cutters. I misplaced the heart shape cutter so I used the star one instead for these step-by-step process photos.

**You can use leftover bread, toss with additional olive oil, herbs & salt. Toast along with the croutons, then blend in a food processor into breadcrumbs. Top on salad or add crunch to your favorite pasta dish!

Croutons Step by Step Process Photos

How to Make Ranch Dressing:

  1. Place all ingredients in a mini food processor.
  2. Blend until smooth. Set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.
Ranch Dressing Step by Step Process Photos

How to Assemble the Salad:

  1. In a non-stick skillet, cook pancetta on high for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Pour pancetta onto a plate or bowl lined with paper towel to drain grease. Set aside.
  3. Remove stem and any outer wilted leaves from the head of iceberg lettuce.
  4. Chop the head of lettuce in half and then half again, making 4 wedges.
  5. Plate the lettuce wedges on individual plates or a platter
  6. Then, top with ranch dressing.
  7. Finally, top with pancetta, tomatoes, chives, homemade croutons, ranch, and freshly ground pepper.
  8. Serve (preferable cold) and enjoy!
BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons Step by Step Process Photos

Recipe Variations

  • No pancetta? Use bacon instead, cooked to your desired crispiness.
  • Don't feel like making homemade dressing? Use bottled ranch!
  • No a fan of ranch? Use bleu cheese dressing (homemade or store-brought) for a more classic wedge salad
  • No cookie cutter? No worries, just cut the bread into cubes instead for your croutons. You might need to tack on a few extra minutes for baking. Or, skip it all together and use store-bought croutons.
BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons Overhead of 3 salads on a white plate slightly cut off on the top, right and bottom

Looking for More Salad Ideas?

  • Fresh Watermelon Mozzarella Salad: A delicious way to enjoy the freshest ingredients summer has to offer.
  • Raw Rainbow Ribbon Carrot Salad: Takes the humble carrot and makes a beautiful, simple, yet tasty salad.
BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons featured image of salad close up with 1 wedge angled

BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons

Mara
Planning a romantic dinner? Valentine's Day? Anniversary? This BLT Wedge Salad with Heart Croutons brings the steakhouse home! This salad combines the classic wedge salad with a BLT-ish twist. It's a delicious way to start your romantic night in!
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Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 18 mins
Total Time 43 mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 948 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head of iceberg lettuce
  • 8 oz pancetta, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • chives, finely diced for garnish
  • homemade croutons
  • 1 & ½ cup ranch dressing
  • ⅛ teaspoon fresh cracker pepper

Homemade Croutons

  • 3 slices bread I used Sara Lee's Artesano Bread
  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • chili flake, optional
  • ⅛ teaspoon flaky sea salt

Homemade Ranch-ish Dressing

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoon mayo
  • ½ cup italian parsley
  • 1 lemon, zest & juice
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions
 

  • Using a mini *heart cookie cutter, cut out shapes from the sliced bread**.
  • Toss hearts in olive oil, herbs, chili flake (optional) and salt. Place on a baking sheet lined with foil.
  • Bake for 13-15 minutes until crunchy. Remove from oven. Set oven to broil.
  • Broil for 20-30 seconds golden brown, flip and broil for another 20-30 seconds until golden brown. Remove from oven. Set aside.

Home Ranch-like Dressing***

  • Place all ingredients in a mini food processor.
  • Blend until smooth. Set aside in the fridge until ready to serve.

Salad Assembly

  • In a non-stick skillet, cook pancetta on high for 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour pancetta onto a plate or bowl lined with paper towel to drain grease. Set aside.
  • Remove stem and any outer wilted leaves from the head of iceberg lettuce.
  • Chop the head of lettuce in half and then half again, making 4 wedges.
  • Plate the lettuce wedges on individual plates or a platter
  • Then, top with ranch dressing.
  • Finally, top with pancetta, tomatoes, chives, homemade croutons, ranch, and freshly ground pepper.
  • Serve (preferable cold) and enjoy!

Notes

*I used this this Ateco 12 Piece Mini Stainless Steel Cutters. I misplaced the heart shape cutter so I used the star one instead for these step-by-step process photos.
**You can use leftover bread, toss with additional olive oil, herbs & salt. Toast along with the croutons, then blend in a food processor into breadcrumbs. Top on salad or add crunch to your favorite pasta dish!
***Ranch dressing, typically has multiple fresh herbs like dill, chives, and parsley. This is a more simple dressing since it only uses Italian parsley.
Nutritional information for this recipe is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed. Please calculate your own nutritional information if you want it exact to what you make and use my calculations as a guide only.

Nutrition

Calories: 948kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 89g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 100mg | Sodium: 1945mg | Potassium: 647mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1904IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 173mg | Iron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram @makewithmara or hashtag #makewithmara

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Hi, I’m Mara! The home baker and cook behind Make With Mara. This is where I share my love of recipe testing, plating, and all things tasty. Let’s crEATe something delicious together! More about me →

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