Spinach Salad With Apple Vinaigrette

Spinach Salad With Apple
kirin_photo/E+/Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 4 to 6 servings

This spinach salad has a burst of flavors and textures that only can be described as absolutely delicious. From the freshly chopped apple, the optional crumbled bacon, and walnuts or pecans to the tender, sweet flavor of fresh spinach leaves. Then topped off with a simple homemade apple vinaigrette that brings this salad together with its tangy taste. 

You can leave off the bacon and nuts if you so desire, but they really add another dimension to this spinach salad. If you want to add other ingredients to the salad, try some sliced juicy red strawberries or bright orange shredded carrots. There are so many different ways you can dress it up to make it your own. 

Great for lunch or a light dinner, this salad can be accompanied by a bowl of your favorite soup or crusty homemade French bread to round out the meal. 

Ingredients

  • 1 (10- to- 12 ounce) bag fresh spinach

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

  • 2 teaspoons grated sweet onion

  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

  • 3/4 cup finely chopped apple

  • Crumbled cooked bacon, optional, for garnish

  • Walnut or pecan halves, optional, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Wash spinach and let dry.

  3. In a bowl whisk together the sugar, vinegar, grated onion, mustard, salt, and vegetable oil. Add the apple.

  4. Refrigerate spinach and dressing separately until serving time.

  5. Pour dressing over spinach just before serving and toss. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon and nuts.

  6. Serve and enjoy!

Tips

  • Don't put the dressing on until ready to serve this spinach salad.
  • Fry or bake the bacon up ahead of time, then crumble it up, put it in a zip-top bag, and place it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • When making the vinaigrette dressing, use a mason jar with a lid so you can shake the ingredients rather than whisking them together.
  • Apple varieties that are good chopped up on salad include Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp.
  • Vinaigrette dressing has a tendency to separate. No worries, just quickly whisk the dressing, and it will combine the vinegar, oil, and other ingredients back together.

Recipe Variation

  • Swap out the sweet onion for a red or purple onion.
  • Add other ingredients: carrots, strawberries, blueberries, bleu cheese, feta cheese, radishes, or hard-boiled eggs. The possibilities are endless.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
171 Calories
9g Fat
21g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 171
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 12%
Saturated Fat 1g 4%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 240mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 17mg 83%
Calcium 59mg 5%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 349mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)