Spinach Salad with crisp apples, tangy red onion, sweet cranberries, creamy feta, crunchy bacon, and candied pecans, tossed in a delicious apple-Dijon dressing.
Spinach Salad
After baking our favorite apple pie and cobbler, I had some leftover apples and decided to make something lighter—this Spinach Salad!
It’s the perfect mix of sweet and savory with crisp apples, cranberries, bacon, and red onion. And this salad is a total showstopper! It’s gorgeous and always a hit for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas
Whether you serve it as a main dish or a side, it’s easy to customize with grilled chicken or steak.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this Spinach Salad Recipe:
- Spinach: Pre-washed spinach saves time. Look for fresh, vibrant greens in the bag.
- Apples: Mix a sweet apple with a tart one for more flavor.
- Red onion: Don’t like it? Leave it out. To make it milder, soak in cold water before adding.
- Pecans: Honey-roasted or candied pecans add a sweet crunch.
- Cranberries: They add sweetness, or try tart dried cherries for a fun twist.
- Feta: Crumbled feta brings creamy, tangy flavor.
- Bacon: In a rush? Use microwave bacon or bake it for less clean-up.
Spinach Salad Dressing
This dressing is super easy to make and tastes amazing! The key is using high-quality ingredients.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tangy, fruity flavor. Shake well before using.
- Olive oil: Use extra virgin for the best flavor.
- Maple syrup: Pure maple syrup gives a natural sweetness. Honey can be used too.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a bit of tang to balance the sweetness.
How To Make Spinach Salad
- Cook Bacon: Fry or bake, then dice.
- Make Dressing: Shake all ingredients in a jar and chill until ready to use.
- Chop Ingredients: Slice apples and onion.
- Assemble Salad: Add spinach, apples, onion, pecans, cranberries, and bacon.
- Dress & Serve: Toss with dressing, add feta, and serve right away.
Storage
Spinach Salad Storage And Make Ahead
- Keep Separate: Store spinach, apples, onion, pecans, cranberries, feta, and bacon in separate containers.
- Dressing: Store in a jar and shake before using.
- Assemble Last: Add dressing and toss the salad right before serving for freshness.
Use Additional Spinach In:
Aside from this amazing salad, here are a few other ways I love to use the leftovers:
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Cook and dice bacon. Thinly slice the apples and red onion.
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Combine all dressing ingredients in a Mason jar. Shake well and refrigerate until ready to use. Shake again before adding to the salad.
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In a large bowl, combine spinach, bacon, apples, red onion, pecans, cranberries, and feta.
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This salad is best served immediately after it’s dressed, so wait to add dressing until you’re ready to serve (see note 4). Drizzle some of the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat. Add additional dressing to taste, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Note 2: To mellow the onion, soak it in ice water for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, then drain.
Note 3: Store-bought honey-roasted pecans are convenient, but you can also candy your own or use plain.
Note 4: Make-Ahead/Storage Tips: If making ahead, store ingredients separately and assemble just before serving. For prepping apples ahead, check the tips in this post. The dressing can be made 2-3 days in advance and kept in a Mason jar in the fridge. If it separates, let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes, then shake well before using.
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 753kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 651mg | Potassium: 2105mg | Fiber: 14g | Sugar: 61g | Vitamin A: 33366IU | Vitamin C: 104mg | Calcium: 454mg | Iron: 11mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.