Vegetarian Wedge Salad (with Carrot “Bacon” Bits”!)

Name: Vegetarian Wedge Salad (with Carrot "Bacon" Bits"!)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 to 3 large carrots; 2 Tbsp soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free, 30 mL); 1 Tbsp olive oil (15 mL); 1 Tbsp brown sugar; 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (5 mL); ¼ tsp each smoked paprika, garlic powder, black pepper; ¼ tsp liquid smoke; 1 head iceberg lettuce; 1 cup cherry tomatoes; 1 cup blue cheese dressing (200 g); ¼ cup crumbled blue cheese (30 g)

By Sarah Bond, BS Nutrition, MS Sensory Science, Updated Nov 17, 2023

5 from 1 rating

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30 minutes

Serves 4 salads

1 Comment

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Wedge salad on a blue plate with vegan bacon bits.

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Made with carrot and brown sugar “bacon” bits, this vegetarian wedge salad is packed with delicious savory flavors. It takes just 30 minutes to make, making it ideal for a quick side dish.

Two complete wedge salads topped with dressing, tomatoes, blue cheese, and "bacon" bits on a gray plate

There’s one particular type of recipe that holds my heart as the #1 use for iceberg lettuce… a vegetarian wedge salad.

Maybe it’s all of the blue cheese and toppings, or maybe it’s just the fact that I love digging into a nice quarter-head of lettuce. Either way, these vegetarian wedge salads will be my favorite forever!

And because no wedge salad recipe is complete without bacon, we’re whipping together completely vegetarian bacon bits made with carrots, brown sugar, and seasonings!

Reader rating

★★★★★

“Made it today. Fantastic. Carrot Bacon bits was the key. We liked it so much. We want to make it again.” —Arun

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What you need to make a wedge salad

This salad has two sets of ingredients. We’ll start with a flavorful carrot marinade, followed by the classics: lettuce, tomatoes, dressing, and cheese.

Carrots: First up, 2 to 3 large carrots will serve as the “bacon” base.
“Bacon” Marinade: This is made up of soy sauce, olive oil, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar. Soy sauce provides a salty umami flavor to help mimic bacon.
Seasonings: Season things up with ¼ teaspoon each of smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Liquid Smoke: Finally, finish things off with liquid smoke to mimic the meat-like smell and taste.
The Salad: This includes all the basic salad ingredients, such as iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, and a blue cheese dressing.

A close-up view detailing the texture and ingredients in vegetarian wedge salad

Here’s how to make it

I’m no stranger to a good ol’ classic iceberg wedge salad. And let me say, these “bacon” bits really change the game.

Step 1: Create the “Bacon” Bits
First, peel the carrots and dice them into small pieces to make the “bacon” bits. Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a small bowl, and then stir in the carrots to coat them. Let them marinate for 15 minutes at minimum. The longer, the better!

Step 2: Prep the Salad
Remove the stem of the head of iceberg lettuce. Wash and trim as needed, keeping the roots intact to hold the lettuce together. With the stem side on the cutting board, cut the lettuce into 4 wedges. Quarter the cherry tomatoes.

Four quarters of a head of iceberg lettuce lined up on a blue background

Step 3: Cook the “Bacon”
Heat a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the carrot pieces and the marinade to the pan. Cook until most of the liquid evaporates and the carrots are slightly caramelized.

Carrot and brown sugar bacon bits cooking in a cast iron skillet — If the brown sugar starts to burn, reduce the heat.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve
Place a wedge of iceberg lettuce on each plate and top with blue cheese dressing, crumbled blue cheese, tomatoes, and “bacon” bits.

Wedge Salad Variations

When it comes to wedge salads, you can get pretty creative. Every type of topping will work, but what makes wedge salads so great is their combination of salty and sweet. Here are some ways to keep that combo but mix things up.

Dressings: Wedge salad dressing is classically blue cheese, but it doesn’t have to be! Since we’re using blue cheese crumbles, you can keep that flavor but add honey mustard, balsamic, or ranch dressing, or you can get creative with a homemade yogurt-based dressing.
Toppings: Glazed pecans (or walnuts) make a delicious topping for wedge salads. You can also add chopped red or green onion, hard-boiled eggs, and/or chopped bell pepper! Get creative with it!
Carrots Swap: This wedge salad is also great with our vegan bacon bits!

More Ways to Use Carrot Bacon Bits

If you made a few too many carrot “bacon” bits, use them on any of these recipes!

Pumpkin Pasta is fantastic with little salty bits. Think pasta carbonara but pumpkin.
Slow Cooker Potato Soup is a must-serve with vegetarian bacon bits! Like a baked potato in soup form.
Microwaved Baked Potatoes are delicious loaded up with these carrot bacon bits!

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