In the realm of classic Southern cuisine, few dishes evoke nostalgia and comfort quite like Old Fashioned Wilted Lettuce. This humble dish, often served as a side or salad, is a testament to the culinary magic that can be conjured from simple, fresh ingredients. The key to this dish lies in its namesake: the wilting of the lettuce. This process, achieved through the careful application of heat, transforms the crisp leaves into a tender, slightly translucent state, imbuing them with a unique flavor and texture. The wilting process also allows the lettuce to absorb the savory flavors of the accompanying ingredients, creating a harmonious blend of tastes and textures. This Old Fashioned Wilted Lettuce recipe collection offers variations on this classic dish, each with its own unique twist. From traditional Southern recipes to modern interpretations, these recipes cater to a range of tastes and preferences, ensuring that everyone can find their perfect wilted lettuce experience.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
CLASSIC WILTED LETTUCE SALAD
When we were kids, my sister and I would prepare the freshly picked lettuce for this wilted lettuce salad recipe, rinsing it several times and carefully drying it. As we did so, we quibbled about the portions we'd each have. Somehow, it seems she always managed to get more! We still can't get enough of this salad. -Doris Natvig, Jesup, Iowa
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 15m
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels to drain. , To the hot drippings, add the vinegar, water, onions, sugar, salt and pepper, stirring until sugar is dissolved. , Place lettuce in a salad bowl; immediately pour dressing over and toss lightly. Top with egg. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 118 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 45mg cholesterol, Sodium 227mg sodium, Carbohydrate 5g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
SOUTHERN WILTED LETTUCE SALAD WITH HOT BACON DRESSING
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Combine the shredded lettuce and chopped green onions in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- In a cast-iron or other frying pan, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until the desired doneness.
- Remove the bacon to paper towels to drain and reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon drippings.
- Combine the bacon drippings, vinegar, and sugar in a saucepan and heat until it boils.
- Pour over the shredded lettuce mixture. Toss to mix. Crumble the bacon and add it on top. Serve at once.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 109 kcal, Carbohydrate 6 g, Cholesterol 14 mg, Fiber 1 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 231 mg, Sugar 4 g, Fat 8 g, ServingSize 4 to 6 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
GRANDMA'S WILTED LETTUCE WITH HOT BACON DRESSING
When my Grandma Hallie passed in 1984, I mourned MANY things about this wonderful woman. But it wasn't until the next spring, when leaf lettuce came up, that I realized I had never asked her how to make Wilted Lettuce. Over the next 30 years, I would try one recipe after another, but none of them were quite right until a lovely...
Provided by Fran Miller
Categories Salads
Time 45m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- 1. If you are making Wilted Lettuce, put the eggs on to cook, then wash the leaf lettuce carefully. I remove all hard parts, like the spine, of the leaves. Put the leaves in a salad spinner to remove the excess water, or allow the leaves to drain in a colander lined with paper towels. Chop some onion and set aside. When the eggs have cooked about 15 minutes in boiling water, drain the water, and refill the pan with cool water to allow the eggs to cool. Assemble the lettuce leaves and chopped onion in a large salad bowl. Chop the eggs and set aside. THEN prepare the Hot Bacon Dressing.
- 2. Fry the diced bacon until crispy, then remove the bacon to a paper towel to drain. Reserve about 1 1/2 Tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and remove the rest.
- 3. While the diced bacon is frying, stir together the sugar, flour, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- 4. Add the sugar mixture to the 1 1/2 Tablespoons of hot bacon grease, cooking over medium heat and stirring.
- 5. Add the vinegar and water and stir constantly, bringing it to a boil. Boil about 2 minutes, until slightly thickened. (If too thick, add a little water.)
- 6. Remove from heat and cool until warm. Pour over lettuce & onion, tossing the salad until coated and wilted. (The hotter the dressing, the more it will wilt. Your call.) Top with the chopped hardboiled eggs and crispy diced bacon. Dinner is served! =^..^=
OLD-FASHIONED WILTED LETTUCE
"I remember my grandmother making this wonderful 'wilted' salad with leaf lettuce from her garden and serving it with a creamy dressing," recalls Rose Shawyer of Otterbein, Indiana.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 20m
Yield 6-8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a small bowl, beat the eggs, milk, vinegar, salt and pepper until smooth; set aside. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon to paper towels to drain, reserving drippings., Whisk egg mixture into drippings. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. , In a large salad bowl, combine the lettuce, onion and bacon. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts :
GRANDMA RICHTER'S WILTED LETTUCE SALAD
Yummmm! This is a simple but delicious salad. The dressing really makes this salad - sweet and delicious. I've never had a dressing like this before ... I will definitely be taking this one to our next church dinner.
Provided by Cindi M Bauer
Categories Other Salads
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Place salad ingredients into a very large bowl. (I put mine into a 13 cup size Tupperware bowl.)
- 2. In another bowl, add the creamy dressing ingredients. Stir thoroughly to blend the ingredients together.
- 3. Pour the creamy dressing, a little at a time, over the salad, and stir gently to combine.
- 4. Once the creamy dressing has been completely mixed into the salad, serve the salad immediately.
- 5. *Note: When making this salad, you can pretty much use any type of lettuce, but my daughter and I agree, we much prefer using romaine lettuce; picked fresh from ones garden, but you can use store bought lettuce, even the iceberg lettuce. Also, when adding the leaves to the bowl, I pretty much left the leaves whole, except for the leaves that were a bit too large, then I tore those in half.
WILTED LETTUCE SALAD
This wilted salad is lightly coated with a delectable warm dressing.
Provided by Mary Jones
Categories Salad Green Salad Recipes
Time 20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Remove from skillet, crumble and set aside.
- To the hot bacon drippings, add the vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and pepper. Stir over medium heat until hot.
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce and green onions. Add the warm dressing and toss to evenly coat. Sprinkle with bacon and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 124.3 calories, Carbohydrate 4.1 g, Cholesterol 15.9 mg, Fat 10.6 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 3.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.5 g, Sodium 210.3 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
WILTED LETTUCE SALAD
Sometimes simple is best. This is a wonderfully old fashioned salad that is very tasty and easy to prepare.
Provided by Michelle S.
Categories Pork
Time 15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Fry bacon until crisp; drain (saving drippings) and crumble.
- Place lettuce in a large bowl.
- top with onion, egg, and crumbled bacon.
- In a skillet put bacon drippings, vinegar, salt, pepper and sugar.
- Heat to boiling.
- Pour over lettuce in bowl and toss.
- Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 111, Fat 5.2, SaturatedFat 1.6, Cholesterol 52.1, Sodium 705.2, Carbohydrate 12.1, Fiber 2.1, Sugar 8.2, Protein 4.6
MY MOM'S WILTED LETTUCE
This was my ma's recipe passed on to me--don't know any other way to make it and I'm 58 years old. This is really an old-fashioned dish.
Provided by Darlene Summers
Categories Low Protein
Time 35m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Wash the lettuce several times; drain.
- Clean and cut the onions into the lettuce.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Dressing: Heat dressing ingredients to boiling; pour over lettuce while boiling hot.
- Stir and mix well.
- Serve immediately.
Tips:
- Choose the right lettuce: Use a sturdy variety like romaine or iceberg lettuce, as they can withstand the wilting process without becoming too limp.
- Wash the lettuce thoroughly: Before preparing the salad, rinse the lettuce leaves under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Dry the lettuce leaves: After washing, pat the lettuce leaves dry with a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Use a mild-flavored dressing: A simple vinaigrette or lemon-based dressing is a good choice for wilted lettuce salads, as it allows the natural flavor of the lettuce to shine through.
- Don't overcook the lettuce: Wilted lettuce salads should be cooked just until the lettuce leaves begin to wilt, about 30 seconds to a minute. Overcooking will make the lettuce limp and mushy.
- Season to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other seasonings to taste before serving.
Conclusion:
Wilted lettuce salads are a simple but delicious side dish that can be enjoyed all year round. With just a few fresh ingredients and a simple dressing, you can create a flavorful and healthy salad that is perfect for any occasion. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy salad recipe, give wilted lettuce salad a try. You won't be disappointed!
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