Today I’m sharing one of my most requested recipes: The BEST SALAD EVER! If you enjoy the ingredients (Gorgonzola, apple, cherries [or cranberries], pecans, and bacon) with a sweet balsamic dressing, you’ll LOVE this salad. Trust me, you’ll be going back for seconds…maybe thirds – it’s that good!
Read the rave reviews from people who tried this recipe on Pinterest!
The Best Salad for Dinner Parties, Holidays, Special Occasions!
I created this recipe over twenty-six years ago while I was pregnant with my first child. I was craving something salty, sweet, and tart, so I came up with this. It’s become a favorite and people always ask for it. I make it for special occasions like dinner parties and holidays. My first child even requests it every year for their birthday – which is fitting.
I highly recommend using the salad dressing recipe below – no substitutions. The combination of flavors is what makes this salad so delicious.
Mary’s Best Salad Ever (My Most Requested Salad Recipe)
Recipe serves 6–8 people, depending on portion size
Ingredients
- 1 bag spring salad mix (9 or 10 ounce bag)
- 1 bag romaine (9 or 10 ounce bag)
- 3 oz bag of Oscar Mayer real bacon (It’s best to make your own bacon – but I almost always cheat – applewood smoked bacon is awesome with this salad)
- 1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries
- 1 large granny smith apple, chopped
- 1/2 cup toasted pecans or almonds
- 5 oz Gorgonzola or blue cheese crumbled
Directions
Clean lettuce, place in large bowl and top with ingredients – toss.
Mary’s Sweet Balsamic Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons good balsamic vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon dry mustard (or a little squeeze of yellow or Grey Poupon mustard)
- Few twists of fresh cracked pepper Or use 1/8 tsp of reg ground pepper
Directions
Whisk all the ingredients together, until sugar and oil are blended. It takes a few minutes for the oil and sugar to blend. Keep whisking….it will blend.
Tips
You can substitute dried cherries with dried cranberries and sub Gorgonzola/blue cheese with goat or feta cheese.
The dressing is easy to adapt by adjusting the amount of sugar. If you like less sweet, add a little sugar at a time until you reach the desired sweetness.
Some people have made the dressing with olive oil and enjoyed the results. I have not used olive oil, so I am unable to tell you if it changes the taste of the salad. If you want to use olive oil, make a small batch to taste test.
Chop the apple right before serving to prevent it from browning.
Top with chicken (grilled is wonderful) for a meal.
If you make the salad, please let me know what you think.
Cheers!
Megan
How many does this serve?
Mary Neumann
Serves 6-8 people Megan.
Kristy
A friend of mine made this salad for our Christmas party last year, and I immediately had to ask her for the recipe. It’s so good! It’s been my go-to salad ever since.
Debi
Made this for Thanksgiving dinner and everyone loved it. Will definitely make over and over. I don’t like gorgonzola so substituted with crumbled goat cheese. Delicious!!
JJeanie Schuler
I apologize if I missed this information – how many servings are there in this recipe? It sounds like the perfect salad for our neighborhood ladies’ progressive lunch next week. Thank you!
Mary Neumann
When I make this, it serves up to 8 people.
Julie
I made this salad and brought it to my family’s Thanksgiving dinner. It was so delicious and I was asked to share the recipe. This is a keeper! Thank you for posting it!
Debbie
Hi Mary….I am an avid and very adventurous cook and so when I came across your balsamic dressing, I had to chuckle bc I’ve throwing those ingredients together with a few others and everyone goes wild. I also will throw some tortilla shells on the grill and brush some of the dressing onto it and flip and do the other side until it’s as soft or crisp as you like. I use honey and brown sugar in place of regular sugar. I also throw in some garlic, onion powder, and some herbs, and I mix in some apple cider vinegar as well. Try it and let me know your thoughts!!! Thanks for sharing!!! I love it!! 🙂
Martha Merrill
What is the size of each bag of salad? I need to know so I am making the correct amount of salad.
Dede
Best. Salad. Ever.
I never comment or write reviews but this is worth it.
I followed recipe exactly. Unbelievable combination of tastes.
Thank you so much for the recipe!
Debby
I am highly allergic to blue cheeses -what can I sub?
Mary Neumann
You can sub with feta or goat cheese, Debby.