Spinach Salad

This easy spinach salad is the kind of recipe I turn to when I want something fresh and satisfying without spending much time in the kitchen. The combination of sweet apples, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans all tied together with a simple balsamic dressing makes every bite interesting. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough to bring to a potluck.

Why You’ll Love This Spinach Salad

• It comes together in minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
• The dressing is made from pantry staples and takes under 5 minutes to whisk.
• You can customize it with whatever nuts, cheese, or fruit you have on hand.

Key Ingredients for a Fresh Spinach Salad

• Fresh spinach, Use baby spinach for the best texture. It’s tender and doesn’t need chopping. Avoid pre-washed bags that might be wilted.
• Honeycrisp apples, They add sweetness and a crisp bite. Any apple variety works, but I like the balance of sweet and tart here.
• Pecans, Candied pecans add a little extra sweetness, but regular pecans work fine and keep the salad more neutral.

Kitchen Tools for This Spinach Salad

• A large bowl for tossing the salad
• A small bowl or jar for whisking the dressing
• A sharp knife for slicing apples and avocado

Tips for Making the Best Spinach Salad

Whisk the dressing in a small bowl or shake it in a jar. You can make it a day ahead and store it in the fridge. Just give it another whisk before using. When you’re ready to serve, dress the salad right before you eat. That keeps the spinach from getting soggy. If you plan to have leftovers, it’s smart to keep the dressing on the side so you can re-dress each serving.

Spinach Salad Variations to Try

You can swap the feta for crumbled goat cheese for a tangier flavor. If you need a vegan or dairy-free version, just leave out the cheese. I’ve also used regular pecans instead of candied when I want less sweetness. Any apple variety works, so feel free to use what you have. The basic formula stays the same.

What to Serve with This Spinach Salad

This salad goes great with just about anything. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, salmon, or a hearty pasta. It’s also a nice side for a casual dinner party. Because it’s so quick to pull together, it works for busy weeknights too.

How to Store Leftover Spinach Salad

If you have leftover salad that’s already dressed, it won’t keep well. The spinach will wilt and the apples will brown. For best results, store the dressing separately in a jar. Keep undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a day. Add the dressing just before serving.

Recipe

Spinach Salad

★★★★★ ★★★★★ 4.5/5 (80 ratings)

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Prep

10 min

Total

10 min

Servings

8 servings

Cuisine

American

Course

Lunch

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Dash of salt and ground black pepper
• 10 ounces fresh spinach
• 2 large Honey crisp apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 1 large avocado, sliced
• 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
• 1 cup roughly chopped candied pecans or pecans, can use walnuts or almonds
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese

Instructions

1. To make the dressing, in a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. To assemble the salad, place the spinach, apple slices, avocado, red onion, pecans, and cheese in a large bowl. When ready to serve, drizzle with dressing and toss. Alternatively, you can plate the salads and serve the dressing on the side.

Nutrition (per serving, estimated)

Calories

223 kcal11% DV

Protein

4 g8% DV

Fat

15 g19% DV

Carbs

19 g7% DV

Fiber

4 g14% DV

Sugar

10 g

Sodium

251 mg11% DV

% Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet (FDA). Values are estimates — see our nutrition data sources.

complete the meal

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