Pioneer Woman Cowboy Salad Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Cowboy Salad is a hearty and crunchy recipe, which is loaded with crispy bacon, fried tortilla strips, and a creamy homemade BBQ ranch dressing. It’s the perfect crowd-pleasing salad for a potluck or BBQ, ready in about 35 minutes.

Jump to Recipe

Pioneer Woman Cowboy Salad Ingredients

For the Crispy Toppings:

• 12 slices bacon, chopped
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 4 corn tortillas, cut into strips

For the BBQ Ranch Dressing:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• Buttermilk, as needed to adjust consistency
• Hot sauce, to taste
• Kosher salt, to taste

For the Salad:

• 1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into chunks and sliced
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 bunch scallions, sliced
• 1 pound Cheddar cheese, grated
• Pico de gallo, for topping (store-bought or homemade)

How To Make Pioneer Woman Cowboy Salad

1. Cook the Crispy Toppings: In a medium skillet over medium heat, fry the chopped bacon until crisp, about 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. In the same skillet with the bacon grease (add a little vegetable oil if needed), fry the corn tortilla strips for about 1 minute, until they are crisp and golden. Remove them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
2. Make the BBQ Ranch Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, barbecue sauce, fresh parsley, chives, and finely chopped garlic. If the dressing is too thick, whisk in a little buttermilk until it reaches a thinner, pourable consistency. Season with hot sauce and kosher salt to your taste.
3. Assemble the Salad: In a very large bowl, combine the chopped iceberg lettuce, halved grape tomatoes, sliced scallions, the cooked bacon, and most of the grated Cheddar cheese (reserve a handful for the top).
4. Dress and Serve: Pour the BBQ ranch dressing over the salad and toss everything together until well coated. Top the salad with a generous amount of pico de gallo, the crispy fried tortilla strips, and the reserved handful of cheese. Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the crispiest toppings? Make sure to fry the bacon until it’s truly crispy, as it will add the best texture and flavor. When frying the tortilla strips, don’t overcrowd the pan and cook them quickly, for only about a minute, so they become crisp, not chewy.
• How do I get the best dressing consistency? The dressing should be pourable but still creamy. Start with the base ingredients, then whisk in buttermilk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Always taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and hot sauce before dressing the salad.
• Why serve the salad immediately? This salad is best enjoyed right after it’s tossed. This ensures the fried tortilla strips and the bacon stay crunchy and the lettuce remains crisp and fresh.
• Can I use homemade pico de gallo? Absolutely! For a quick homemade version, finely dice about 12 Roma tomatoes and 3 onions. Mix with 2 cups of chopped fresh cilantro and 1-2 finely diced jalapenos. Squeeze the juice from one lime over the top, season with salt, and mix well.

What To Serve With Cowboy Salad

This hearty salad can easily be a main course, but it also pairs well as a side dish.

• Grilled chicken or steak
• Hamburgers or hot dogs
• A big bowl of chili
• Cornbread

How To Store Cowboy Salad

• Best Eaten Fresh: This salad does not store well once it has been dressed, as the lettuce will wilt and the toppings will become soggy.
• Make Ahead: For a make-ahead option, you can prepare all the components in advance. Cook the bacon and tortilla strips and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Make the dressing and chop the salad vegetables, storing them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Combine everything just before serving.

Cowboy Salad Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 142.3 kcal
• Protein: 6g
• Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Sodium: 350mg

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used. The provided calorie count seems low for the ingredients listed; a more realistic estimate is likely higher.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Fruit Salad Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Fruit Salad Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Frog Eye Salad Recipe