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Wilted Lettuce Salad Recipe

In this post I’m sharing the recipe for a Wilted Lettuce Salad Recipe, also known as killed lettuce.

Have you ever heard of Killed Salad, Scalded Lettuce, Wilted Lettuce, Kilt Lettuce, Wilted Salad or Killed Lettuce? It’s a traditional Appalachian dish. I had never heard of it before until I was reading a post from Blind Pig & The Acorn .

I’m always intrigued by the many traditions of southern cooking and how they can vary in different regions. This is a basic dish of torn lettuce and green onions dressed in a hot oil such as bacon grease, butter or olive oil and perhaps a dash of sugar. Have you ever had it?

I wrote a post on Facebook and lots of people knew of this dish and from all over the country. Since
I’ve never had it I put it on my list of things to make so I could try it. Of course I put my own little spin on the recipe too. So here it is y’all….

Southern Wilted Lettuce Recipe

 
Ingredients
 
  • 1 Head Iceberg Lettuce
  • 2 Bunches Green Spring Onions (scallions)
  • 8 Slices Bourbon Glazed Thick Sliced Bacon
  • 1 tsp Vegetable Oil
  • 2 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • Dash of Salt
  • Cracked Black Pepper

Hot Bacon Grease Salad

Bacon Grease Dressing, Wilted Lettuce, Scalded Lettuce
 
Preparing the Wilted Lettuce Salad Recipe
 
In a large skillet over medium heat add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and thick sliced bourbon bacon . This bacon has a sweet taste to it which is why I decided to omit adding sugar to the recipe as some do. Good stuff!
 
While the bacon cooks I cut up the lettuce into chunks and added it to a mixing bowl. Slice the end (root ends) of the onions off and peel off the outer layer and trim the ends. Slice one bunch (5-6 green onions) and add to the salad. I reserved a bunch for garnish.
 
 
Cook turning the bacon until desired crispness and done. Remove bacon and place on a paper towel lined plate to remove excess drippings.
 
Add 2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar to the bacon drippings in the skillet and using a whisk stir to combine and deglaze the skillet releasing all those yummy bacon bits from the bottom of the pan.
 
Pour the hot drippings & vinegar over the salad with a dash of salt and a few cracks of black pepper and toss it all together. It will sizzle as it hits the lettuce and slightly wilts it. RIP lettuce, you’ve been killed!
 
Garnish with green onions and bacon slices and serve immediately.

Appalachian Kilt Lettuce 

Killed lettuce
Yield: 1 Salad Side Dish

Wilted Lettuce Salad a.k.a Killed Lettuce

Wilted Lettuce Salad a.k.a Killed Lettuce

Wilted lettuce is an Appalachian traditional salad made with hot bacon fat dressing.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 Head Iceberg Lettuce
  • 2 Bunches Green Spring Onions (scallions)
  • 8 Slices Bourbon Glazed Thick Sliced Bacon
  • 1 tsp Vegetable Oil
  • 2 tsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • Dash of Salt
  • Cracked Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet over medium heat add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and thick sliced bourbon bacon .
  2. While the bacon cooks, chop the lettuce into chunks and added it to a mixing bowl.
  3. Slice the end (root ends) of the onions off and peel off the outer layer and trim the ends. Slice one bunch (5-6 green onions) and add to the salad. I reserved a bunch for garnish.
  4. Cook turning the bacon until desired crispness and done.
  5. Remove bacon and place on a paper towel lined plate to remove excess drippings.
  6. Add 2 teaspoons of red wine vinegar to the bacon drippings in the skillet and using a whisk stir to combine and deglaze the skillet releasing all those yummy bacon bits from the bottom of the pan.
  7. Pour the hot drippings & vinegar over the salad with a dash of salt and a few cracks of black pepper and toss it all together.
  8. Garnish with green onions and bacon slices and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 134Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
 
 

Hot Lettuce with Bacon Dressing

 
Kilt Lettuce Salad Recipe with hot bacon grease dressing and cider vinegar

Wilted Lettuce Salad Recipe

 

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Meet Julia

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

Sharing is Caring

Kris M

Tuesday 3rd of April 2018

Interesting! I will have to try this!

Julia Jordan

Tuesday 3rd of April 2018

Kris, It's a favorite for so many. I hope you enjoy it.

JeCsOn

Thursday 14th of September 2017

hmmmm

Barbara Miller

Tuesday 12th of September 2017

TY for sharing to Meal Plan Monday on Christy Jordan's Southern Plate. Your version sounds yummy.

Julia's Simply Southern

Tuesday 12th of September 2017

Thank you Barbara!

Lynn Vining

Monday 7th of August 2017

It has been a long time! We used to go to a restaurant in NC on vacation in the mountains. They did a wilted salad at the table that was delicious! Mama duplicated it at home, and it was so awesome!

Grace H

Friday 24th of June 2016

I haven't thought of wilted lettuce in years! This brings back memories of picking lettuce with my grandma in her garden! I loved her wilted lettuce!!!! Going to have to try your recipe, thanks for sharing. Grace

Julia's Simply Southern

Tuesday 28th of June 2016

Those are wonderful memories Grace. I hope you enjoy!

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