Name: Irish Pub Salad - Greens + Cheddar + Bacon
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: For the Salad:; 6 cups mixed greens (spring mix or romaine + arugula blend); 1 cup sharp Irish cheddar, cubed or shredded; 6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled; ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion; ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional but recommended); ¼ cup toasted croutons (optional); For the Creamy Pub Dressing:; ½ cup mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons sour cream; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 teaspoon honey; Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to tast; 1–2 tablespoons milk (to thin, if needed)

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

6 cups mixed greens (spring mix or romaine + arugula blend)

1 cup sharp Irish cheddar, cubed or shredded

6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional but recommended)

1/4 cup toasted croutons (optional)

For the Creamy Pub Dressing:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to tast

1-2 tablespoons milk (to thin, if needed)

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Instructions

Cook the Bacon:
Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy (about 8–10 minutes). Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and crumble once cooled.

Prepare the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Add milk a little at a time until desired consistency is reached. Chill until ready to use.

Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, cheddar, bacon, red onion, and tomatoes.

Dress and Serve:
Drizzle dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently. Top with croutons if using. Serve immediately.

Notes

Cooking Tips

Use high-quality cheddar: A sharp aged Irish cheddar makes a big difference in flavor.
Dry your greens well: Excess water dilutes the dressing.
Dress right before serving: This keeps the greens crisp and fresh.
Balance the salt: Bacon and cheddar are salty, so taste before adding extra salt to the dressing.

Variations

Add Potatoes

Toss in roasted baby potatoes for a more filling pub-style meal salad.

Add Apple Slices

Thinly sliced Granny Smith apples add a crisp, tart contrast.

Make It a Meal

Top with grilled chicken or sliced steak for a hearty dinner salad.

Lighter Version

Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and light mayo for fewer calories.

Author: Emma
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 380
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 620mg
Fat: 33g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 8g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 14g