Watercress Bacon and Blue Cheese Salad Recipe

By
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Updated on 12/22/22
Watercress Salad Hero
Elaine Lemm
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Servings: 2 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
635 Calories
57g Fat
5g Carbs
25g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories 635
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 57g 73%
Saturated Fat 20g 100%
Cholesterol 80mg 27%
Sodium 1297mg 56%
Total Carbohydrate 5g 2%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 25g
Vitamin C 15mg 73%
Calcium 405mg 31%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 453mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Watercress is an often overlooked ingredient, especially when served without other salad greens, where it so easily gets lost. To have it standing alone and the star of the show is good to see, as this really is up there for flavor and goodness.

On its own, the watercress would be a little boring, but here it stars alongside pungent, creamy blue Stilton and some crispy shards of bacon, and for even more taste, a creamy Balsamic and oil dressing. Plus, the best bit, it is ready and on the table in about 5 minutes. You are going to love it.

You can eat stems and all and for that real peppery bite, eat it raw. However, before using the watercress, make sure it is washed and dried well with kitchen paper; most will come ready washed but check before using and pick over to ensure no spoiled leaves are lurking anywhere in the bag.

Watercress is considered a superfood. It has more vitamin C than oranges, more vitamin E than broccoli, and 50 plus minerals and vitamins.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Watercress Salad Gather Ingredients
    Elaine Lemm

  2. Put the olive oil, Balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper into a small bowl.

    Watercress Salad add dressing ingerdients
    Elaine Lemm

  3. Whisk the dressing ingredients thoroughly and put to one side.

    Watercress Salad whisk together
    Elaine Lemm

  4. Set out two salad bowls. Divide the watercress, cheese and bacon pieces, evenly between each. Just before serving, drizzle with dressing.

    Watercress Salad assemble and dress
    Elaine Lemm

    Serve immediately.

    Watercress Salad Hero
    Elaine Lemm

What goes well with watercress?

That is an easy question to answer, many things. Watercress may be a soft leaf but it has a distinct, peppery bite to it and this makes it so good with lots of different tastes.


  • Salty cheese and bacon, as here in this recipe, are super
  • Watercress is so good in a sandwich with a hard-boiled egg.
  • Crispy apples, nuts, especially walnuts chopped and mixed with the leaves - delicious.
  • Watercress alongside roast beef is a classic combination - move over horseradish.
  • Most pungent herbs such as rosemary, thyme and sage stand very well alongside watercress.

No ready made crisp bacon? Make your own.

Ready-made crispy bacon is one of those pantry staples that can be so useful to have around. But what if you can't find any? Making your own is so easy.


Use strips of thin, American bacon. Cut this into small pieces. Heat a skillet over high heat with a few oil drops and quick fry the bacon taking care not to burn it. Keep shaking the pan until it cooks through, then tip onto a paper towel to dry and cool. It really is that easy.