Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad

Teresa Ambra

Gluten Free Living – 2016

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad is one of the most heavenly salads I’ve ever eaten. No kidding, I could have eaten my weight in this salad. (That’s a scary prospect). All that delicious bacon, plus a fabulous homemade Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread, and a Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix for the salad dressing–oh, my. Toss in a few veggies along the way, a little cheese….wow, it was absolutely mouthwatering. I loved, loved, LOVED this Tex-Mex salad!

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About three years ago our church had a really large banquet to send off one of the ministers who had been at the church for over 25 years. We had a huge potluck and someone brought one of these great Texas Cornbread Salads. They are super popular here in Texas, but I had never heard of them outside this state. I never could find who made it, but I always longed to repeat the experience because it was so good. I had a similar recipe I had collected from friends at Dallas Baptist University and decided to start there, add, improvise and make it my own.

Most of these recipes start with a boxed Jiffy cornbread mix. While I could have done that to make it easier, I wanted to use a really savory cornbread with bacon, cheddar cheese and green chilies. I loved my Bacon Cheddar Cornbread, Jalapeno Cheddar Honey Cornbread, and my Bacon Jalapeno Cornsticks (which uses gruyere cheese), so the cornbread recipe is based on these recipes along with my favorite all time cornbread recipe, made with gluten free flour instead. The cornbread was so good I had a hard time keeping my fingers out of the crumbs. I was taking pictures and licking my fingers at the same time!

I also wanted to replace the bottled Ranch dressing with something healthier. I had seen a Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix on Pinterest and decided to give it a try. I wanted a thick dressing for the salad, so I used the dry mix with a healthier mayonnaise and sour cream so it would hold it’s body and not be watery or too thin (like with Greek yogurt). It was perfect. I had so many people come up and tell me they loved the salad but especially the dressing!

I layered the salad with the basic Texas Cornbread Salad ingredients adding a few of my own along the way. Then I added additional bacon on top, along with cheddar cheese, green onions and tomatoes. This salad had so-o-o-o much going for it. The savory bacon flavor was awesome. Everything just worked incredibly well. While this recipe is gluten free and has a lot of great veggies, it cannot be considered one of the healthier salads you’ll ever make. It will be considered one of the best tasting however. 🙂

Yes, it did take a little bit longer to make than using a boxed cornbread mix or a bottle of Ranch dressing, but it tasted infinitely better in my opinion. This salad is so good you can make it for a main dish salad if you like. It’s a terrific side or main dish for backyard barbecues, potlucks or when grilling out and having friends over. I took it to a big party at our church and it was a real crowd pleaser.

If you’re looking for the best salad ever to take to your next party (and don’t mind a little additional work from making the cornbread and dressing from scratch), then Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad (or Texas Cornbread Salad, if you prefer), is the salad for you. It is so delectable you will be drooling after the first bite. I sure did.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad is to die for! I rarely say that about anything but dessert, but it’s really true with this salad. The savory, bacon-y cornbread makes it so wonderful.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

You can garnish the salad with additional tomato wedges if desired.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

I also made a couple of these salads in parfait dishes. I ate every drop. 🙂

Here’s what I did.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

I used these ingredients. I substituted halved grape tomatoes for the Roma tomatoes.

I made the dressing mix and the cornbread two days before I served the salad. I made the salad 24 hours before serving and kept it in the refrigerator.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Cut cornbread into cubes and place in the bottom of a trifle dish. You will probably only need about half of the recipe. (Enjoy the rest with your favorite soup or chili.)

Layer half of the crisp-cooked bacon pieces.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Add about 4 cups torn Romaine lettuce. (Pack down). Layer a pint of grape tomatoes, halved, cucumber, red bell pepper and red onion.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Drain corn well. Layer over top of red onion. (You can also use cooked corn-on-the-cob that’s been cut down or frozen corn that’s been microwaved).

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Rinse and drain pinto beans really well. Add on top of corn layer. (You can also use black beans).

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Add a layer of sliced black olives.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

For the dressing: Mix two tablespoons Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix with 1 cup sour cream and 1 cup Just Mayo mayonnaise. I found Just Mayo at Wal-Mart, but you can substitute Hellmann’s if you can’t find it.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Stir ingredients to combine. Mixture will be thick.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Spread dressing mixture over top of veggies in trifle dish. If you can fit all of the dressing, add all of it.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Add remaining bacon broken into tiny pieces. I pressed the bacon pieces into the dressing slightly.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Add cheddar cheese in the center of the trifle dish. Top with sliced green onions (tops only).

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

This makes a lovely salad to take to parties, potlucks, backyard barbecues or whenever you’re grilling out with friends. This Texas-style Cornbread Salad is the best!

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

You will have to really scoop to the bottom of the trifle dish to get the delicious cornbread out of the bottom of the salad. 

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Every bite of Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad will have you drooling. Seriously, I could have eaten this whole container by myself it was that good.

Here’s the recipe.

BACON CHEDDAR CHILI CORNBREAD SALAD

(My own concoction)

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad

Teresa Ambra
This amazing Texas-style Cornbread Salad is filled with the most delicious bacon-y, cheddar cheese and chili cornbread. It's layered with veggies, topped with homemade Ranch Dressing and garnished with additional bacon, cheese, green onions and tomatoes. This is one of the most delicious salads I've ever eaten! Gluten free.
4 from 2 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Salads and Salad Dressings, Side Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 15
Calories 388 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large trifle dish
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 small mixing bowl
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 skillet to fry bacon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head romaine lettuce cut into small 1-2 inch pieces (I used about 4 cups)
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber sliced and quartered
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 red onion diced fine
  • 15 oz. can whole kernel corn drained well
  • 15 oz. can pinto beans rinsed and drained well
  • 1 cup black olives sliced
  • 1 lb. bacon cooked and broken in small pieces
  • 2 green onions diced, use only green tops
  • 4-6 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded, or cheddar jack cheese
  • 1 recipe Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread or 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix, cooked
  • 2 tbsp. homemade Ranch Dressing Mix or 1 pkt. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
  • 1 cup Just Mayo mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream

Instructions
 

  • Prepare cornbread.
  • Cool and cut into cubes.
  • Set aside.
  • Prepare Ranch Dressing mix.
  • Combine with mayonnaise and sour cream.
  • Set aside.
  • In large skillet, fry bacon until crisp but not scorched.
  • Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; crumble when cool.
  • In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, layer the cornbread cubes.
  • Layer half the bacon, then lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, corn, pinto beans and olives.
  • Spread Ranch dressing over top.
  • Sprinkle remaining bacon over the surface of the dressing.
  • Sprinkle and mound the cheese in the center of the dish.
  • Sprinkle green onion tops on top of cheese.
  • Refrigerate at least two hours or overnight before serving.

Notes

NOTE: You can use a regular cornbread mix and bake it according to package directions, if desired.
 
NOTE: You can use regular ranch dressing in place of the ingredients listed here for the same.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 10gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 690mgPotassium: 477mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 4404IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 1mg
Keyword bacon, cheese, corn, cornbread, gluten free, olives, pinto beans, salad, salad dressing, side dish, Tex Mex, tomatoes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad[/b]
Recipe Type: Salads and Salad Dressings
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Author: Teresa Ambra – my own creation
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 12
This amazing Texas-style Cornbread Salad is filled with the most delicious bacon-y, cheddar cheese and chili cornbread. It’s layered with veggies, topped with homemade Ranch Dressing and garnished with additional bacon, cheese, green onions and tomatoes. This is one of the most delicious salads I’ve ever eaten! Gluten free.
Ingredients
  • 1 head romaine lettuce, cut into small 1-2 inch pieces (I used about 4 cups)
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, sliced and quartered
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • ¼ red onion, diced fine
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, drained well
  • 1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained well
  • 1 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 lb. bacon, cooked and broken in small pieces, divided use
  • 2 green onions, diced (use only green tops)
  • 4-6-oz. cheddar cheese or cheddar jack cheese
  • 1 recipe Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread or 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix, cooked, cut in cubes
  • 2 tbsp. homemade Ranch Dressing Mix or 1 pkt. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
  • 1 cup Just Mayo mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream
Instructions
  1. Prepare cornbread.
  2. Cool and cut into cubes.
  3. Set aside.
  4. Prepare Ranch Dressing mix.
  5. Combine with mayonnaise and sour cream.
  6. Set aside.
  7. In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, layer the cornbread cubes.
  8. Layer half the bacon, then lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, corn, pinto beans and olives.
  9. Spread Ranch dressing over top.
  10. Sprinkle remaining bacon over the surface of the dressing.
  11. Sprinkle and mound the cheese in the center of the dish.
  12. Sprinkle green onion tops on top of cheese.
  13. Refrigerate at least two hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
Preparation time does not include time required to make cornbread or Ranch dressing.[br][br]This salad can be refrigerated overnight before serving.[br][br]You do not need to use this much bacon if you prefer to cut back.[br][br]You may have to heap the salad dressing to get it to fit. Use as much as you possibly can to fit in your bowl.
Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

If you’re looking for a new salad to wow your company, give Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad a try.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

While Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad is gluten free, it is not low in calories nor one of the healthier salads you’ll ever eat. It is, however, one of the most delicious salads you’ll ever sink your teeth into.

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

I guarantee you, I salivated over every bite of this salad and just couldn’t get enough of it. I ate both of those parfait dishes plus two or three servings when I served it at our church. Yum.

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Cinco de Mayo Taco Salad

Cinco de Mayo Taco Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen
Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #salad is to die for! It has a savory homemade #bacon #cornbread & uses homemade #RanchDressing mix. This fabulous Texas-style salad is great for potlucks and backyard barbecues. #glutenfree

Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread Salad

Teresa Ambra
This amazing Texas-style Cornbread Salad is filled with the most delicious bacon-y, cheddar cheese and chili cornbread. It’s layered with veggies, topped with homemade Ranch Dressing and garnished with additional bacon, cheese, green onions and tomatoes. This is one of the most delicious salads I’ve ever eaten! Gluten free.
4 from 2 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Salads and Salad Dressings, Side Dish
Cuisine Tex-Mex
Servings 15
Calories 388 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large trifle dish
  • 1 sharp knife to cut vegetables
  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish
  • 1 small mixing bowl
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 skillet to fry bacon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head romaine lettuce cut into small 1-2 inch pieces (I used about 4 cups)
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber sliced and quartered
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/4 red onion diced fine
  • 15 oz. can whole kernel corn drained well
  • 15 oz. can pinto beans rinsed and drained well
  • 1 cup black olives sliced
  • 1 lb. bacon cooked and broken in small pieces
  • 2 green onions diced, use only green tops
  • 4-6 oz. sharp cheddar cheese shredded, or cheddar jack cheese
  • 1 recipe Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread or 1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix, cooked
  • 2 tbsp. homemade Ranch Dressing Mix or 1 pkt. Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix
  • 1 cup Just Mayo mayonnaise
  • 1 cup sour cream

Instructions
 

  • Prepare cornbread.
  • Cool and cut into cubes.
  • Set aside.
  • Prepare Ranch Dressing mix.
  • Combine with mayonnaise and sour cream.
  • Set aside.
  • In large skillet, fry bacon until crisp but not scorched.
  • Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain; crumble when cool.
  • In a large glass bowl or trifle dish, layer the cornbread cubes.
  • Layer half the bacon, then lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, corn, pinto beans and olives.
  • Spread Ranch dressing over top.
  • Sprinkle remaining bacon over the surface of the dressing.
  • Sprinkle and mound the cheese in the center of the dish.
  • Sprinkle green onion tops on top of cheese.
  • Refrigerate at least two hours or overnight before serving.

Notes

NOTE: You can use a regular cornbread mix and bake it according to package directions, if desired.
 
NOTE: You can use regular ranch dressing in place of the ingredients listed here for the same.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 388kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 10gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 690mgPotassium: 477mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 4404IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 112mgIron: 1mg
Keyword bacon, cheese, corn, cornbread, gluten free, olives, pinto beans, salad, salad dressing, side dish, Tex Mex, tomatoes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

8 Comments

  • Donna

    January 2, 2020 at 12:28 pm

    It looks supper yummy as well as beautiful! My question is; As the dressing is just put on top wouldn’t it make sense to maybe put half the dressing at the half way mark? You may not be able to make it advance but for all the goodies that don’t get used near the bottom there would be that extra layer of dressing. I guess, you could just have extra on the side as well.
    My husband would hog all the dressing!

    1. Teresa

      January 2, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      Hi, Donna. I think that’s a great idea. Although I’m not sure I’d split the dressing in half. I’d probably just double the amounts! 🙂 And certainly you could make up some extra on the side to make sure you get enough coverage. This is such a fantastic salad. I hope you give it a try.

  • Cathy

    September 24, 2018 at 6:55 pm

    Wow Teresa!! You hit it out of the ball park with this salad! Amazing!! Reminds me of the famous 7 layer dip except on a whole other scale of deliciousness!! Drooling! 🙂

    1. Teresa

      September 25, 2018 at 11:28 am

      Thanks, Cathy. It really is one of my favorite salad recipes!

  • Shannon Kotsaftis

    July 16, 2016 at 10:23 am

    This looks incredible. I was looking for a salad/side for my daughter’s graduation party, and this is it. As I’ve never made this before, I wanted your opinion on an idea–do you think it would make sense for me to make the salad in those little clear plastic cups to make it easier for the kids? All I’m picturing is them scooping the first 3 layers, and leaving the rest. It would probably be a lot of work, but it might be worth it….what do you think?

    1. Teresa

      July 16, 2016 at 11:07 am

      Hey, Shannon, I made a couple of them in parfait dishes so it’s definitely doable. I would suggest using the widest possible cups you can find and those that are no more than 5 inches deep or so. Then when layering, remember that in order to fit everything you will probably not be able to put more than about 3 or 4 pieces of each layer (i.e. 3 small pieces of bacon, tomatoes, cuke, beans, etc.) You won’t get the full effect of a trifle dish, but everyone would get a really good sample of this salad. If you have time ahead to make the homemade cornbread from scratch and the homemade ranch dressing mix it will be triply good! Also, you will probably need to consider that these will take an extra hour or so to make it this way. So add extra time. I hope they turn out spectacular for you!

  • Shari Kelley

    July 12, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    It is so ironic that you posted this as I had a version of it for the first time a couple weeks ago. My mom made it, and I had never heard of a salad like this before. I loved it, too! I bet yours takes it to the next level with the homemade Ranch and homemade cornbread! She gave me the leftovers so I got to eat it for 2 days. It was so good! It is such a unique salad, but has so many wonderful flavors going on in it. Thanks for sharing your recipe, Teresa!

    1. Teresa

      July 12, 2016 at 5:57 pm

      We loved this recipe, Shari. It’s so bacon-y, cheesy and delectable I could have sat down and eaten the whole thing. I couldn’t get enough of it. I hope you give this version a try the next time you have to make something for a potluck. It’ll have everyone coming back for more! Thanks for stopping by.

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