Wilted Lettuce

If you grew up in the South or have ever flipped through an old church or community cookbook, chances are you've seen Wilted Lettuce Salad that’s made with hot bacon grease. It's one of those old-fashioned recipes that brings back my childhood every time I make it.

 

What Is Wilted Lettuce?

This recipe takes tender leaf lettuce and tops it with a hot bacon grease dressing that slightly "wilts" the greens, giving you a tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet side dish that pairs perfectly with just about any dinner.

Whether you remember Grandma making it in her cast iron skillet or you're trying it for the first time, this recipe is sure to win a spot on your table.

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Ingredients You'll Need

• Fresh leaf lettuce (garden lettuce or leaf lettuce works best - romaine or iceberg don't wilt the same way but you can still use it if that’s what you have!)
• Bacon Grease (the drippings are the magic!) – I like to save my bacon grease in the refrigerator or freezer. It’s simple! Just allow the bacon grease to cool a little and then pour in to a food-safe, freezer-safe, container that can handle warmth, and store and freeze.
• Salt (the bacon grease is usually salty already so salt with caution)

Additional Optional Ingredients

I’ve often seen others use these common ingredients in their hot bacon grease dressing for a wilted salad…

• Vinegar (white vinegar works is my favorite but you can use red wine vinegar if you want to.)
• Green onions, chopped
• Sugar (balances out the tang of the vinegar)
• Black pepper, to taste

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How to Make Old-Fashioned Wilted Lettuce

• Prep the lettuce. Wash and dry your lettuce leaves well, then tear them into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large heatproof bowl with the chopped green onions.
• Cook the bacon if needed. In a skillet, fry bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set aside - but keep the bacon drippings in the pan. You can also cook bacon in the air fryer or bacon in the oven, where you can also collect the bacon grease from.
• Make the dressing, if using other ingredients. To the hot bacon drippings, stir in vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture begins to bubble.

For us, we keep it simple and just use hot bacon grease, and then sprinkle with salt.

• Wilt the lettuce. Immediately pour the hot dressing over the lettuce and onions. Toss quickly to coat, and watch the lettuce gently wilt from the heat.
• Top it off. Sprinkle with the crumbled bacon if desired, or salt, and serve right away.

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Tips & Variations

• Best Lettuce: This works best with garden-fresh leaf lettuce. If you grow your own or find it at a farmer's market, you'll taste the difference!
• Bacon Grease: Save and store your leftover bacon grease in the refrigerator or freezer when making a recipe like this bacon chicken ranch pasta casserole or this cold bacon ranch pasta salad, so you can whip up wilted lettuce in a pinch.
• Sweeter or Tangier? Adjust the sugar and vinegar to your taste. Some families like it sweeter, while others love that extra tang.
• Make it a Meal: Add boiled eggs or even fried potatoes to make it more filling.

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Why We Love This Recipe

There's something so comforting about taking simple ingredients and turning them into a dish that feels special. Wilted lettuce isn't fancy - but it's packed with flavor and family tradition. It's one of those recipes that connects generations, making it just as perfect for a weeknight dinner as it is for a church potluck.

If you're craving a taste of the past (or just want a quick and easy side dish), give this Wilted Lettuce Salad a try. Chances are, you'll fall in love with this old-fashioned favorite just like we did.

More Old-Fashioned Recipes

If you love simple, classic recipes like this one, you’ll also love these:

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