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Tequilaberry Salad was made famous at the Tequilaberry Restaurant which used to be located in Coon Rapids, Minnesota. It was a signature dish there and one that people came to the restaurant specifically for it.
Later the restaurant closed, and people still craved the addicting salad. Below is what is believed to be the authentic version so that you can still enjoy this salad’s wonderful flavors. Feel free to adapt it and custom make it to your personal preferences.
Awesome Tequilaberry Salad Recipe
The original recipe was a winner. It’s what helped draw people to the restaurant. They came for salad and Prime Rib.
The Original Tequilaberry’s Restaurant Salad Recipe
As is the case with most restaurants, when the restaurant was in operation, the salad recipe could not be shared. People would rave about the salad while enjoying it and ask their server for the recipe, but the response was always that it was a secret. A good business move. After the restaurant closed, the secret recipe was out of the bag and spread like wildfire.
The History
There are two things that Tequilaberry’s Restaurant in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, was known for:
1. All-You-Can-Eat Prime Rib
2. “The Salad” – the original Tequilaberry’s Salad!
Since then, the restaurant has closed and has left many craving for their favorite salad.
That Addicting Salad
Once you’ve tried Tequilaberry’s salad, you’ll likely agree that the combinations of flavors and textures are addicting. The salad is addicting, not necessarily good for you, but it’s good. And you’re bound to want to come back for more.
“The” Salad (Midwestern Tequilaberry Salad)
Taquilaberry’s salad has become well known as “the” salad in Coon Rapids, Minnesota and beyond. Folks came from near and far to enjoy the popular restaurant cuisine. And since the closing of the restaurant, the salad and its popularity continues to spread throughout the Midwest.
What is Tequilaberry Salad?
You might be thinking Tequilaberry Salad is a strange name for a salad. The name is very different and has nothing to do with the salad or the taste. A better name for the salad would be lettuce, cauliflower and bacon salad. But people know it by that name now. It was the name of a restaurant in Minnesota that served this salad. It’s a unique name, but a delicious salad!
What is in it?
To make the famous and well-sought-after Tequilaberry Salad, you’ll need a head of iceberg lettuce, a head of cauliflower, fried bacon, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar, and shredded Parmesan Cheese.
How To Make Tequilaberry Salad
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing and set aside. Chop the lettuce and cauliflower finely. Mix the lettuce mixture with the dressing mixture until completely covered. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Top with bacon. Serve and enjoy.
How to Make The Dressing
As the saying goes, the secret’s in the sauce. And that’s true for this salad too. To make the once secret dressing, whisk together 1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise, 2 ½ tbsp white vinegar, ¼ cup sugar, and 1 ½ cup shredded Parmesan Cheese. Set aside until the remaining salad ingredients are prepared.
Ingredients We Need
Ingredients needed for your salad include iceberg lettuce, fresh cauliflower, fried and crumbled bacon, Hellmann’s mayonnaise, white vinegar, sugar and shredded Parmesan Cheese.
Methods of Preparing Lettuce Cauliflower Bacon Salad Step by Step
To begin preparing the head of lettuce, cut off the stem of the lettuce. Peel off any of the outer leaves that are damaged or are turning brown and throw them away. Run the head of lettuce under cold water to remove any debris. Using a long butcher knife, chop the head of lettuce in half. Lay the flat side down on your cutting board and begin chopping the lettuce into fine pieces.
For the cauliflower, cut the nobby stem off the end. Remove any excess leaves or damaged portions. Rinse it under cold running water. Using a large knife, chop the head of cauliflower in half. Then lay the flat side of the cauliflower down on the cutting board. Chop the cauliflower into tiny pieces.
Once the dressing is prepared, mix the sauce and the lettuce and cauliflower until the sauce is fully covering the vegetables. Top with bacon pieces before serving.
Tequilaberry Salad Recipe With Buttermilk
There is an alternate method to prepare this recipe other than the one we’ve prepared for you below. Research shows that some prefer to prepare this recipe with buttermilk, rather than mayonnaise. If that is the case for you, use less buttermilk than the amount of mayonnaise that the recipe calls for, or you’ll end up with a soupy salad.
Nutrition Facts
We estimate that our recipe for Tequilaberry Salad as written below serves 12 people. The following nutrition facts are based on one-twelfth of the salad. This information is an estimate and will vary based on the ingredients and brands used.
Calories 396
Total Fat 28.4g
Saturated Fat 10.2g
Cholesterol 67mg
Sodium 1281 mg
Total Carbohydrate 12.4g
Dietary Fiber 0.7g
Total Sugars 6.2g
Protein 23.7g
Calcium 262mg
Iron 1mg
Potassium 323mg
Tastes
The flavors included in this delicious salad are somewhat salty and a hint of savory as well as sweet. Flavors can be enhanced if you choose, by adding your favorite add ins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Following are frequently asked questions that relate to the Tequilaberry Salad Recipe and the process of making it.
Can I Make Tequilaberry Salad Ahead?
You’ll want to make Tequilaberry Salad a bit ahead so that it has time to chill for about a half-hour. However, you don’t want to make it a day in advance. This causes the lettuce to get soggy from the dressing mixture and the bacon will become flabby, a sure devastation. Plan to make this salad the same day as you plan to consume it.
How Do I Store Tequilaberry Salad?
Your salad should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it. Or cover it with food safe plastic wrap to keep air from getting to it.
Can I Make A Smaller Portion?
Yes, you can make a smaller portion. You can use half of a head of lettuce and cauliflower for a smaller group of guests, if you prefer. Or, you can even use one-fourth of a head of each. You can also adjust your sauce if preferred or go ahead and add the extra into the salad.
Tips & Tricks
When making this salad, if you prefer a hefty amount of dressing, you might prefer to double the sauce mixture.
This is not a salad that you’ll want to make the day before. It is best when made and served fresh.
For best results, be sure to fry up some real bacon pieces, rather than cutting corners and using bacon bits.
Ways To Customize This Salad
The original salad includes just lettuce, cauliflower, bacon and the sauce. But if you’re a salad foodie and want to customize it with all your favorite toppings, it is delicious that way too. Following are some ideas for add-ins that are tasty.
Possible Add-Ins
If you’re a salad lover, most likely you have your favorite toppings. If you want to add a pop of color or another dimension of flavor, here are some ideas:
Grapes, green or red Raspberries
Almonds
Craisins
Pecans
Cherry Tomatoes, sliced small
Purple Onion, diced fine
Green Onion, chopped
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Chopped broccoli
Sunflower seeds
Tequilaberry Salad Recipe
Following is the authentic and widely-craved Tequilaberry Restaurant Salad Recipe. The combination of chopped lettuce, cauliflower and addicting sauce is so delicious and well-known in the Midwest.
Yield: 10-12 servings
Ingredients
1 head Iceberg lettuce
1 head cauliflower
1 lb bacon
Salad Dressing
1 cup Hellmann’s mayonnaise
2 ½ tbsp white vinegar
¼ cup sugar
1 ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
Directions
1. Chop 1 head of lettuce and 1 head of cauliflower finely. Place together in a mixing bowl.
2. Fry 1 pound of bacon until crisp. Drain grease and set aside.
3. Mix together mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, and parmesan cheese for salad dressing and whisk until thoroughly incorporated.
4. Combine lettuce mixture with salad dressing until the lettuce is completely covered. Top with bacon pieces and any desired add-ins.
5. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes. Serve and enjoy!
Printable Recipe
Conclusion
Tequilaberry Salad is one that has been enjoyed down through the ages, made famous from the all you can eat prime rib Tequilaberry Restaurant which had a presence in Minnesota. Now you can enjoy the authentic restaurant recipe above.
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