When I was in college, a woman at the church I was attending in Tallahassee invited several of us poor, starving college girls to her home for a real meal.
This was an incredible gift because, you know, college is when you fill up your cart with Ramen Noodles and wonder –
“How many days straight can I eat this stuff before dying?”
So we showed up at her house, hungry and eager for a delicious feast, and ended up discovering the greatest salad recipe KNOWN TO MAN.
And ironically, it has Ramen Noodles in it.
I’ve talked about this recipe before (here and here and here and here and here – do you get why it’s so good?), but it’s about time it has its very own post.
Ingredients (Salad):
1 Bag of Romaine lettuce
1 Bag of broccoli florets, chopped
1 Bunch of green onions, chopped
12-16 oz package bacon, cooked, drained, and chopped
1 package chopped pecans
1 package Ramen Noodles, broken up (discard seasonings)
4 T butter, melted
Ingredients (Dressing):
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 T soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Step 1 – In a medium-sized bowl, mix the noodles and pecans with the melted butter.
Step 2 – Pour the noodle/pecan mixture onto a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Step 3 – In a large bowl, mix lettuce, broccoli and onions.
Step 4 – Dump baked noodle/pecan mixture and bacon on top. Toss lightly.
Step 5 – Stir all of the dressing ingredients together and pour over salad. Mix well.
Baby showers, bridal showers, brunches, family dinners, potlucks, holidays, receptions…
This salad will be a GUARANTEED hit WHEREVER you go.
In fact, you just might find yourself wondering how much of it you can eat before dying??? 
Happy Best Salad Recipe Ever-ing!
Author of #thekindnessantennae 
Psalm 28:7
The kids are at Grammie’s and we went to a wedding! Got to get dressed up, see Ryan rock it as the “professional officiant” (this is what the wedding coordinator called him), eat a free steak, and even dance a little! 
My favorite thing that Ryan said during the ceremony was that God made Adam wait for Eve. He paraded all the Mr. and Mrs. animals in front of him long enough until Adam’s longing matched God’s good gift. The timing was then right, Adam was ready to fully appreciate and treasure his Mrs. “Man”.
To be honest, I almost didn’t attend the wedding with Ryan! I wasn’t feeling great and the idea of being home without kids all day to catch up on cleaning and laundry was pretty appealing. But the little nudge in me said DO NOT MISS THIS. I wanted to hear Ryan’s message and watch him lead this precious couple’s ceremony. I knew it was important to him that I be there. So because I treasure him, I went.
And I wasn’t the only one treasuring today! Ryan thanked me for coming with him, he danced with me even though I knew he would rather die than be on the dance floor, and he let me run into the store on the way home to end the day with some chocolate.
So here’s to treasuring one another - looking first to your spouse’s interests before your own, being their biggest fan, and telling them they look super hot in the fancy suit.
I mean, after all, he is a professional. 
Grateful for a precious village of friends and family (that’s you all) who remind me of what’s right and true on this journey of obedience to Jesus. One doesn’t have to sleep in, workout or have a deliciously absurd amount of sweet potato fries 
for dinner to live life to the fullest in Christ. He is enough and He is good and I’m so thankful for another year to serve Him!
God loves you! 
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad. Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed. ”
Psalms 34:1-5 CSB
I cooked a turkey! 
And it was a 20 lb-er to boot!
Isn’t it funny how the things that scare us the most typically end up being not that bad? I confess that the amount of overthinking I did about cooking a turkey almost kept me from ever doing the thing! I mean, there are a lot of ways to cook a turkey. And don’t get me started on the gravy! 
But then God sent me a few friends and a sweet mama - all who were there for me even in the early morning hours of searching for giblets (no, I never did find them) and trying to figure out if I did the cheesecloth right. They let me borrow their roasters and fat separators and consistently cheered “You got this!” in my ears. I also surrendered that bird to Jesus and He was faithful to see me through.
Often you have to narrow down the voices and fix your eyes on Jesus to find your victory. Then our great fears can become great adventures. 
He is always happy to see us.
He is a tremendous comfort to Ryan.
He knows when one of us is sad and he looks for ways to make it better.
I’m so thankful for this week of worship, new adventure, precious people, growth, beauty, and uninterrupted time with Ryan. I think Amsterdam is a new favorite city and I’m already dreaming of going back. 
Tot ziens, Netherlands! 
God used you in my life!
This looks and sounds amazing!!! Thanks for sharing!
waitingforbabybird.com
Lol. That’s so funny. I CRAVED that salad when I was pregnant
I haven’t made it since though…and I never heard of putting it in te oven first. Can’t wait to try it! Guess what im eating tomorrow! Lol
Are the ramen noodles cooked? They look cooked in your pics, but the directions don’t say to cook them.
Hey Tera! The directions do say to bake the noodles and pecans at 350 for about 8-10 minutes, stirring halfway through. Enjoy!
I guess I should have specified…are the noodles boiled before going in the oven to bake? They look cooked to me…but I guess that could just be the melted butter soaking in?
Looks delicious! When were you in Tally & what church? I went to FSU and was at First Baptist downtown. Loved home cooked meals in college
Hi Nikki! We went to FSU from 2001-2005! We were involved at Wildwood church and then Centerpoint Church. We were also active at TCO. What great memories!
Yay! I was at FSU during that same window and still live in Tallahassee today. We attended (and still do), Four Oaks Church.
I have many good friends at wildwood and knew quite a few who attended center point with Chuck Ryer. So fun! Love your blog :)!!
I’d love to try this recipe – is there a printable version?
Kimberly, try this link for the printable version… https://happyhomefairy.com/2011/04/20/the-best-easter-brunch-ever/. Thanks for stopping by! It really is the best salad EVER.
This was to so delicious! We made it tonight and cut up the Romaine and broccoli ourselves. I also just sprinkled a few real bacon bits on top (since I’m trying to reduce the amount of meat I eat). And then we tossed the dressing with individual servings so that we could keep the leftovers until our next meal. The noodle and pecan mixture is to die for, and I love the dressing. Thank you so much for sharing. A new addition to our menu rotation!
Laura, how wonderful! I am so happy your family enjoyed this amazing dish! It is seriously a FAVORITE in our house. xoxo
I can attest- this IS the best salad ever!!!!
I don’t see anywhere in the directions of what you do with the bacon. I’m assuming you fry it and sprinkle on top of the salad??
Hi Linda! Yes, just cook the bacon, crumble it up, and toss it in!
This salad sounds great, thank you. One question though….did you blanch the broccoli or add it raw?
Hi Toni! It’s raw broccoli!
Easy peasy!
I add it raw!
Hello, just seeing all the wonderful inspirational ideas on your site! God bless you! Quick question,do you toss the dressing with the salad just before serving or much earlier so some is absorbed? Thank you!
I toss it just before serving! It absorbs very quickly!
Sorry this was such a late response! Just getting caught up on some things! 
I pinned this a while ago and I am going to make it for the first time soon. I have a question before I make it. Do you let the noodles and nuts cool before you add them to the salad or serve it while they are warm?
Hi Dawn! Let it cool first! ENJOY!
Can you use a Sugar substitute?