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

• 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

Appalachian Kilt Lettuce 

Continue to Content

Yield: 1 Salad Side Dish

Wilted Lettuce Salad a.k.a Killed Lettuce

Print

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

Wilted Lettuce Salad Recipe

You Might Enjoy These Recipes Too!

Lettuce & Tomato Salad with Mayonnaise

Dorito Taco Salad with Catalina

Classic Cucumber Salad

• Easy Old Fashioned Leftover Mashed Potato Cakes Recipe
• Fresh and Flavorful: The Ultimate Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
• My Favorite Easy Homemade Smash Burgers Recipe
• EASY Old Fashioned Meatballs and Gravy Recipe
• Easy Homemade Deviled Ham Recipe

Meet Julia

Author of Julia's Simply Southern

About Julia

Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube

Continue Reading

Sharing is Caring