Apple Spinach Salad
Description:
This Apple Spinach Salad is a crisp, vibrant, and nutritious dish that balances sweet and savory flavors beautifully. Fresh baby spinach is tossed with thin apple slices, crunchy nuts, creamy cheese, and a tangy homemade vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch, dinner side, or a holiday salad, it’s delicious and wholesome with every bite.
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Salad:
6 cups baby spinach (washed and dried)
2 medium apples (thinly sliced – Honeycrisp or Fuji are great)
1/3 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
1/3 cup candied or toasted pecans/walnuts
1/4 cup dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds (optional)
Fresh cracked pepper (to taste)
For the Dressing:
3 tbsp olive oil
1 ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dressing:
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined. Set aside.
2. Assemble the Salad:
In a large salad bowl, add baby spinach, apple slices, red onion, nuts, cranberries (if using), and cheese.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
Gently toss everything together to coat evenly.
3. Serve:
Transfer to plates or serve from the bowl. Garnish with extra cheese or nuts if desired.
Time Required
Prep Time: 10–15 minutes
Cook Time: None
Total Time: 10–15 minutes
Nutritional Info (Per Serving – 1/4 of recipe)
Estimates vary depending on ingredients and dressing used
Calories: ~250
Protein: 4g
Fat: 17g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: ~180mg
Q&A Section
Q: What type of apples work best?
A: Crisp, sweet apples like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala are ideal. For tartness, use Granny Smith.
Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: Yes, but store the dressing separately and slice the apples just before serving to prevent browning.
Q: Can I add protein?
A: Absolutely! Grilled chicken, turkey, or chickpeas pair perfectly.
Q: What can I substitute for nuts?
A: Use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version.
Q: Is this salad vegan?
A: It can be! Just use maple syrup instead of honey and vegan cheese or omit cheese.
Q: What’s a good cheese alternative?
A: Blue cheese, cheddar, or shaved parmesan