Wilted Lettuce Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

We typically think of salad as being built with cool, crisp lettuce or other greens. But if you grew up in the South, especially in Appalachia, you've probably had wilted lettuce salad with warm bacon dressing. The leaf lettuce is gently wilted by the heat from the bacon drippings, and the tangy salad dressing adds just the right bite. With almost no prep time, this recipe is going to become your family's favorite salad.

To make this salad as an easy side dish for family dinner, start by cooking four slices bacon until they are extra crispy. When the bacon is done, set the slices onto paper towels to drain. While the bacon is cooking, toss the lettuce with sliced green onions in a large bowl. When the bacon is cool, crumble it over the salad.

While the pan you cooked the bacon in is still warm, add the sugar, salt, black pepper, and apple cider vinegar to the warm bacon grease. Add the ingredients gently so that you don't create grease splatters. Whisk everything until the sugar dissolves; if you need to turn the heat back on, keep it on low. Pour the sizzling dressing over the salad and quickly toss to evenly wilt. Serve the wilted lettuce salad with hot bacon dressing while still warm and enjoy!

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