Name: Recipe "Spinach Salad"
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 0.25 cup olive oil; 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar; 1 tbsp pure maple syrup; 1 tsp Dijon mustard; 1 clove garlic (minced); Dash salt and ground black pepper; 10 oz fresh spinach; 2 large honey crisp apples (cored and thinly sliced); 1 large avocado (sliced); 0.25 red onion (thinly sliced); 1 cup candied pecans or pecans (roughly chopped); 0.75 cup feta cheese or goat cheese (crumbled)

Pair this with Tomato Feta Salad, Green Goddess Salad, Egg Salad, and Green Salad for a full spread.

Why This Balsamic Spinach Salad Is My Go-To

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 Easy Spinach Salad Recipe

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.

Spinach Salad FAQs

Can I use regular pecans instead of candied?

Yes, regular pecans work just fine. The salad will be less sweet, but still delicious.

Can I substitute goat cheese for feta?

Absolutely. Goat cheese gives a tangy, creamy texture that pairs well with the other ingredients.

Can I make this salad vegan?

Yes, simply omit the cheese. The salad will still be flavorful and satisfying.

Recipe

Spinach Salad

Easy Spinach Salad- this fresh and simple spinach salad goes great with any meal! It is also easy to customize! A great way to get your greens!

easyVegetarian

10 min

Prep Time

10 min

Total Time

Servings

Lunch

Course

American

Cuisine

265 kcal

Calories

Ingredients

Servings

dressing

0.25 cup olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
Dash salt and ground black pepper

salad

10 oz fresh spinach
2 large honey crisp apples, cored and thinly sliced
1 large avocado, sliced

0.25 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup candied pecans or pecans, roughly chopped
0.75 cup feta cheese or goat cheese, crumbled

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)

265kcal

Calorie breakdown

Protein10%28 kcal

Fat47%129 kcal

Carbohydrates43%116 kcal

How this was calculated — 10 of 12 ingredients matched

olive oilOil, corn, peanut, and olive530 kcal

balsamic vinegarVinegar, balsamic26 kcal

pure maple syrupSyrup, Cane40 kcal

Dijon mustardMustard, prepared, yellow3 kcal

garlicGarlic, raw7 kcal

salt and ground black pepperPepper, banana, raw0 kcal

fresh spinachSpinach, raw65 kcal

red onionOnions, red, raw0 kcal

candied pecans or pecansCandied fruit773 kcal

feta cheese or goat cheeseCheese, caraway677 kcal

Serving size ≈ 103 g · 8 servings

Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.

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Keyword: gluten-free, glutenFree, No-Cook, vegetarian

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