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There's nothing quite like crisp apples and fresh spinach tossed together with a tangy balsamic dressing. It's a great salad for any time of year that brings vibrant flavor to any meal.
This apple walnut salad is loaded with chopped apples, crunchy pecans, and creamy goat cheese-with just enough pomegranate arils for a pop of tartness. The toasted pecans add an earthy richness, while the tangy goat cheese balances everything out. It's a healthy spinach salad that's as delicious as it is beautiful.
Whether you're making this spinach apple salad for a quick lunch, a crowd-pleasing side dish, or dressing it up with your favorite protein, this one's a keeper.
Why You'll Love This Apple Spinach Salad
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The mix of sweet apples, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy pecans creates an irresistible combination.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 15 minutes, perfect for a last-minute meal or a beautiful side dish.
- Versatile & Nutritious: Packed with baby spinach leaves, fresh apples, and heart-healthy nuts, this salad works as a light lunch or a full meal with grilled chicken or creamy avocado.
- Great for Any Occasion: A crowd-pleasing side dish that fits in at holiday dinners, weeknight meals, or potlucks.
Equipment You'll Need
- Small Mason Jar with Lid - For shaking up the vinaigrette.
- Large Salad Bowl - Perfect for tossing all the salad ingredients together.
- Sharp Knife & Cutting Board - To slice crisp apples, green apples, and pecans.
- Dry Skillet - To toast crunchy pecans and enhance their flavor.
Salad Ingredients You'll Need
For the Apple Spinach Salad:
- Fresh baby spinach - The perfect base for this healthy spinach salad.
- Honeycrisp apples or green apples - A mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor.
- Chopped pecans or crunchy walnuts - Toasted for extra nuttiness.
- Pomegranate arils or dried cherries - A tart burst of flavor.
- Crumbled tangy goat cheese or crumbled feta cheese - Adds a creamy, salty bite.
- Pumpkin seeds or Sunflower seeds - For a nut free option.
For the White Balsamic Dressing:
- White balsamic vinegar - A milder, slightly sweet balsamic dressing option.
- Extra virgin olive oil - The base for a smooth dressing.
- Finely diced red onion - Adds depth of flavor.
- Honey - A touch of natural sweetness.
- Dijon mustard - Helps emulsify the dressing and adds a little zip.
- Italian seasoning & garlic powder - For extra depth.
- Kosher salt & black pepper - To enhance all the flavors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the White Balsamic Dressing
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a small mason jar.
- Shake vigorously until well blended.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Toast the Nuts
- Heat a dry skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add chopped pecans or crunchy walnuts.
- Toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and golden brown.
- Remove from heat and let cool.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, add baby spinach leaves, choppedIt's a great salad for any time of year, with crisp apples, fresh spinach, and a tangy balsamic dressing that bring vibrant flavor to any meal. apples, toasted pecans, pomegranate arils, and half of the feta cheese.
- Drizzle with white balsamic dressing and toss gently to coat.
Serve & Garnish
- Transfer to plates and top with remaining goat cheese or salty feta cheese.
- Add pumpkin seeds, dried cherries, or mandarin oranges for extra flavor.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
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Chef Secrets & Pro Tips
- Choose the Right Apples: Honeycrisp or green apples gives the best balance of sweet and tart flavors.
- Make It a Full Meal: Add grilled chicken, creamy avocado, or grilled steak for more protein.
- Prevent Browning: Toss chopped apples with a little lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
- Add Extra Crunch: Swap pecans for crunchy walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or candied pecans.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve alongside pan roasted chicken, grilled salmon, or parmesan crusted tilapia for a hearty meal.
- Pair with a bowl of butternut squash soup for a cozy fall dinner.
- Add warm sourdough bread or a slice of sweet cornbread to soak up any extra dressing.
FAQs
What kind of apples work best?
For the perfect mix of flavors, use Honeycrisp apples for sweetness and tartness or green apples.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes! Feta cheese, blue cheese, or even shaved Parmesan are all great alternatives.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, but keep the chopped apples separate until ready to serve to prevent browning.
What's the best protein to add?
This salad pairs well with grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or even crispy tofu.
Storage Tips
- Salad Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Keep in mind that the apples may soften, and the spinach can wilt over time.
- Dressing Storage: Keep extra balsamic dressing in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to a week. Shake well before using.
- To Refresh: If the spinach starts to wilt, add a handful of fresh baby spinach or spring mix before serving.
- Make Ahead Tips: If prepping in advance, store the salad ingredients separately and toss them together just before serving to keep everything crisp.
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More Salad Magic: Fresh, Crisp, and Full of Flavor
If you loved this apple walnut spinach salad, you're in for a treat! Salads don't have to be an afterthought-they can be bold, satisfying, and downright irresistible. Whether you're looking for something crisp and refreshing, creamy and indulgent, or packed with vibrant flavors, these salads will keep things exciting at the table.
Classic Caesar Salad - Crisp romaine lettuce tossed in a creamy, garlicky Caesar dressing with crunchy homemade croutons and plenty of Parmesan. A timeless favorite that never disappoints.
Fresh Garden Salad - A simple, colorful mix of leafy greens, juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, and shredded carrots for a fresh, everyday side dish.
Italian Side Salad - A bright, zesty salad featuring romaine, red onions, black olives, pepperoncini, and Parmesan. Perfect alongside pasta or pizza.
Classic Wedge Salad with Homemade Blue Cheese Dressing - Crisp iceberg lettuce topped with creamy blue cheese dressing, crispy bacon, and fresh tomatoes for a steakhouse classic that's always a crowd-pleaser.
Green Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Candied Almonds - A mix of baby greens, sweet mandarin oranges, and crunchy candied almonds, drizzled with a citrusy dressing for a refreshing and flavorful bite.
Italian Grinder Chopped Salad - Inspired by the viral sandwich, this hearty chopped salad is packed with shredded lettuce, deli meats, provolone cheese, peperoncini peppers, and a creamy Italian dressing for a bold, flavorful twist.
Before You Get Started! If you whip up this recipe, I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a review and rating to let me know how it turned out. Your feedback helps keep the kitchen running and allows me to keep sharing free recipes with y'all!
Apple Pecan Spinach Salad
Equipment
- Mason Jar with lid
- Salad Bowl for serving
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach
- 2 Honeycrisp apples cored and diced
- ½ cup chopped pecans toasted
- ½ cup pomegranate arils drained
- 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese or feta
For the White Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- ⅓ cup white balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red onion finely diced and rinsed in cool water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Vinaigrette
- In a small mason jar or bowl, combine the white balsamic vinegar, olive oil, red onion, honey, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.⅓ cup white balsamic vinegar, ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, ¼ cup red onion, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified. Alternatively, whisk the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Set aside.
Toast the Pecans
- Heat a dry skillet over medium-low heat.½ cup chopped pecans
- Add the chopped pecans in a single layer and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become fragrant and slightly golden.
- Remove from heat and let them cool.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, add the fresh baby spinach, diced apples, toasted pecans, pomegranate arils, and half of the crumbled goat cheese.1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach, 2 Honeycrisp apples, ½ cup chopped pecans, ½ cup pomegranate arils, 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese or feta
- Drizzle with the prepared vinaigrette.
- Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are well coated.
Serve & Garnish
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish or individual plates.
- Sprinkle the remaining goat cheese over the top for extra creaminess.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Pecans: Swap with walnuts, almonds, or sunflower seeds for a different crunch.
- Pomegranate Arils: Dried cranberries or chopped dried figs make great alternatives.
- Goat Cheese: Feta, blue cheese, or even shaved Parmesan can be used instead.
- White Balsamic Vinegar: Regular balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or champagne vinegar can be substituted.
- Dressing Sweetness: Adjust the honey amount to taste, or replace it with maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is automatically calculated based on ingredient data and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient options are provided, the first listed is used for calculation. Optional ingredients and garnishes are not included in the nutrition analysis.
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