This straightforward spinach salad recipe is a contemporary, scrumptious aspect dish! It is full of apples, dried cranberries, and pecans. A tangy dressing ties all of it collectively.

This spinach salad recipe is easy, contemporary, and scrumptious. A model of my mother’s favourite salad, it’s full of crisp apples, dried cranberries, purple onion, creamy goat cheese, and toasty candied pecans. A shiny apple cider French dressing ties all of it collectively. *Chef’s kiss*

This fall, I’ve been making it on repeat. To be completely trustworthy, that’s a bit out of character for me, as a result of I’m not all the time a fan of spinach salad recipes (one thing in regards to the texture of the greens, I believe).

So it’s best to belief me after I say that THIS spinach salad actually works. It’s candy, tangy, and savory, and it contains a mouthwatering mix of tender, crisp, and chewy parts. In my e book, it’s the right straightforward aspect dish or gentle lunch. I believe you’re going to like it!

Spinach Salad Elements

Right here’s what you’ll must make this straightforward spinach salad recipe:

• Recent spinach, after all! I like tender child spinach right here, however mature spinach will work too. Tear the leaves if they’re giant.
• Apple – It provides refreshing crunch. Use a candy, crisp selection like Gala or Honeycrisp.
• Crimson onion – For savory taste. Thinly slice it in order that it doesn’t overpower the opposite substances.
• Candied pecans – These candy, spiced nuts are straightforward to make on the range, however in the event you’d wish to streamline the recipe, you should use common toasted pecans as an alternative.
• Goat cheese – For creamy texture and tangy taste. Shaved pecorino is nice right here too.
• Dried cranberries – They add chewy texture and sweet-tart taste.
• And salt and pepper – To make all of the flavors pop!

Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.

Attainable Recipe Variations

This spinach salad recipe is versatile! Although I like it as written, there are all kinds of the way to alter it up. Be at liberty to make it your individual. Listed here are just a few concepts to get you began:

• Swap the dressing. Attempt my balsamic dressing or lemon French dressing.
• Change up the nuts. Exchange the pecans with toasted almonds or walnuts.
• Attempt one other cheese. Feta cheese or shaved Parmesan can be scrumptious!
• Use totally different fruits. Toss in sliced pears or orange segments as an alternative of the apples, or use pomegranate arils as an alternative of the cranberries.
• Make it a predominant dish. Add an entire grain like farro or wild rice or a protein like roasted chickpeas.
• Make a strawberry spinach salad by changing the apples with sliced strawberries. Omit the dried cranberries, and gown the salad with balsamic dressing or lemon French dressing.

Let me know what variations you attempt!

What to Serve with Spinach Salad

This spinach salad is a flexible aspect dish. It’s particular sufficient to serve at Thanksgiving or any vacation meal, but it surely’s easy sufficient to organize on common weeknights too. Pair it with a merely cooked protein or any of those recipes:

I additionally like to make this salad for lunch. It’s on the lighter aspect, so I usually toss in some cooked farro or roasted chickpeas to make it heartier.

I hope you take pleasure in!

Extra Favourite Salad Recipes

In the event you love this spinach salad, attempt certainly one of these contemporary salad recipes subsequent:

Spinach Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Prepare dinner Time: 5 minutes minutes

Complete Time: 20 minutes minutes

Serves 4 to six

This straightforward spinach salad recipe is a contemporary, scrumptious aspect dish or lunch! To get forward, put together the candied pecans and apple cider French dressing prematurely. Retailer the pecans at room temperature for as much as every week and the dressing within the fridge for as much as 5 days.

Prepare dinner ModeStop your display screen from going darkish

• In a big bowl, place the spinach, apple, and onion. Add among the dressing and toss to mix.

• Add the pecans, goat cheese, and cranberries and gently toss. Add extra dressing, as desired. Season to style and serve.