Description
A vibrant and fresh Spinach Salad featuring baby spinach, crisp apple slices, red onion, crunchy pecans or almonds, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. This easy-to-assemble salad makes a perfect light lunch or a refreshing side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup pecans or sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the fresh baby spinach, thinly sliced apple, red onion, pecans or sliced almonds, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese. Gently toss to mix all the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, and ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl. Toss everything well to evenly coat the salad with the dressing. Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
Notes
- For extra crunch, toast the pecans or almonds before adding them to the salad.
- Use honey or maple syrup to add a touch of sweetness to the dressing if desired.
- Substitute feta cheese with goat cheese or omit for a dairy-free version.
- Serve immediately to prevent the spinach from wilting.
