Don’t let the name fool you – Wilted Lettuce Salad is a light, refreshing (not soggy!) salad full of flavor.
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Wilted lettuce likely originated with German or Pennsylvania Dutch cooks and is sometimes called “hot bacon salad.” The lettuce is served cold or at room temperature, but it’s briefly warmed when hot dressing made from bacon drippings is poured over it. The hot dressing lightly wilts the leaves—hence the name—without making them soggy.
This recipe does not require sautéing the lettuce. The chopped romaine goes straight into a bowl and is quickly tossed with the hot dressing so the leaves just soften a bit.
Why You’ll Love Wilted Lettuce Salad
- It’s tossed in a dressing made from bacon drippings for rich, savory flavor.
- It’s fast and simple—ready in minutes, and the quicker you work the better the result.
- It’s a light, low-carb side dish that pairs well with many meals.
Ingredients Needed to Make This Wilted Lettuce Recipe
Exact ingredient amounts are shown in the recipe card below.
- Romaine lettuce
- Thick-sliced bacon
- Apple cider vinegar
- Swerve Confectioners (or another powdered sweetener)
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: hard-boiled egg
How to Make Wilted Lettuce Salad — Quick Overview
This is a quick overview. For full details and exact measurements, see the recipe card at the end.
The key is to work quickly so the dressing is still hot when it hits the lettuce. Have a large bowl ready and the romaine chopped before you finish the dressing.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside.
While the pan is still hot, add apple cider vinegar, water, powdered sweetener, salt, and pepper to the bacon drippings and stir until dissolved. If you can’t move quickly, you can transfer the hot drippings to a microwave-safe container and heat briefly, but exercise caution with hot grease.
Place chopped romaine in the salad bowl, crumble the cooked bacon over the lettuce, then immediately pour the hot dressing on top. Gently toss so each leaf is coated and wilts slightly. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and add diced hard-boiled egg if you like.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
More Keto Bacon Recipes
- Try keto air fryer bacon for an easy, crispy option.
- Add bacon to a keto buttery chicken casserole for extra flavor.
- Bacon-wrapped jalapeño popper chicken casserole is a party favorite.
- Make an easy keto quiche for breakfast or brunch.
- Try a keto breakfast casserole for a family-friendly morning meal.
- For a sweet-savory snack, make keto candied bacon.
Is Romaine Lettuce Keto-Friendly?
Yes. Romaine is very low in net carbs, making it a great choice for keto and low-carb diets. It’s also a good source of vitamins and minerals and works well in salads and as a crunchy snack.
How Many Carbs are in Romaine Lettuce?
Per 100 grams, romaine lettuce has about 3.24 grams of total carbs and 1.8 grams of fiber, yielding roughly 1.44 grams of net carbs per 100 grams.
Can I Eat Romaine Lettuce on the Keto Diet?
Absolutely. With only about 1.44 grams of net carbs per 100 grams, romaine is ideal for keto and low-carb meal planning. Use it in salads, wraps, or as a fresh, crisp component in many recipes.
Nutrition Facts for This Easy Wilted Lettuce Recipe
Per serving (recipe makes 4 servings):
- 206 calories
- 18 g fat
- 7 g protein
- 2 g net carbs
More Keto Salad Recipes
- Make a healthy keto taco salad for a filling meal.
- Try a low-carb egg salad for parties or an easy lunch.
- A keto-friendly Cobb salad is a satisfying classic.
- Prepare a low-carb chicken salad for a family meal.
- For a refreshing option, try strawberry chicken salad with a keto twist.
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I hope you enjoy this easy, low-carb wilted lettuce recipe. If you liked it, please share—thank you!
Wilted Lettuce Salad with Bacon Grease Dressing
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 8 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 5 strips thick-sliced bacon
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1 diced hard-boiled egg optional
Dressing Ingredients
- Bacon drippings
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp Swerve Confectioners (or powdered sweetener)
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add bacon and cook until crispy. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate.
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After removing the bacon, quickly add apple cider vinegar, water, powdered sweetener, salt, and pepper to the hot bacon drippings. Stir until dissolved.
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Place chopped romaine in a large bowl. Crumble the cooked bacon over the lettuce, then pour the hot dressing on top. Gently toss to coat each leaf. Add salt and pepper to taste and the diced hard-boiled egg if desired.
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Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy and are based on the ingredients used. They are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed. If applicable, sugar alcohols have been removed from the total carb count.
More Keto Side Dishes
- Make a keto antipasto salad for a family-style side.
- Try a keto cucumber salad for a crisp, low-carb option.
- Prepare a low-carb Greek salad in a jar for an easy side.
- Roasted vegetables are a versatile, keto-friendly choice.
- Turn cauliflower into a mac-and-cheese-style keto casserole.
- Learn how to make keto-friendly fries using a low-carb vegetable.
