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Frisée Salad with Bacon, Dates, and Red Onion

Peer reviewed by UK recipe editorsAuthored by UK recipe editorsOriginally published 17 Jan 2026

Meets Patient’s editorial guidelines

This elegant frisée salad with bacon and dates offers a sophisticated balance of flavours and textures, making it a wonderful choice for a light lunch or a dinner party starter. The bitter, curly edges of the frisée lettuce provide a crisp base that stands up beautifully to the warm, savoury dressing. It is a dish that feels indulgent yet fresh, combining the saltiness of crispy bacon with the honeyed sweetness of softened dates and red onion.

Adding creamy goat’s cheese and crunchy walnut halves transforms this simple salad into a well-rounded meal. The acidity from the Sherry vinegar cuts through the richness of the cheese, ensuring every bite is perfectly balanced. This recipe is an excellent example of how a few high-quality ingredients can be combined quickly to create a restaurant-standard dish at home.

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Ingredients for Frisée Salad with Bacon, Dates, and Red Onion

  • 3 bacon slices, chopped

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 20ml honey, divided

  • 120ml chopped pitted dates

  • 120ml thinly sliced red onion

  • 2 tablespoons Sherry wine vinegar

  • 1 large head of frisée, torn (about 450g )

  • 70g soft fresh goat cheese (about 1/2 of 140g log), crumbled

  • 80ml walnut halves

How to make Frisée Salad with Bacon, Dates, and Red Onion

Cook bacon in heavy small skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to plate. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon drippings in skillet. Add olive oil, 3 teaspoons honey, dates, and onion to skillet. Stir in vinegar. Season dressing with salt and pepper.

Place frisée in medium bowl; add dressing and toss. Divide salad between 2 plates. Sprinkle with cheese and nuts.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 17 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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