Why This Is The Best Spinach Salad
I never get sick of this classic combination of spinach, bacon and eggs. It is a combination I grew up eating regularly.
The tangy red wine vinaigrette comes comes together in just a few minutes and brightens all the flavors, so you can have a delicious and healthy dinner on the table in just 30 minutes!
It is the perfect hearty salad to pair with a vegetarian entree for a busy weeknight. I make it regularly and my kids and husband adore it too!
Whats not to love about the whole family going wild over a giant bowl of spinach? I cant argue with that. If bacon can make lentils drool-worthy, then it can do so for spinach! We usually have it after Easter, when there are lots of Easter eggs to use up, and weve already maxed out on deviled eggs but I also enjoy it all summer long when we get fresh spinach and eggs in our CSA share.
As I said, it pairs well with vegetarian entrees But it is also great served with grilled or baked meat or fish. I love the taste of salmon with bacon, so this Baked Salmon in Foil would be a nice pairing with it, or my Crispy Skin Chicken is always good and another family favorite.
Faqs About This Recipe
Can this salad be made ahead?
Yes! To do so, cook the bacon and eggs as directed and chop them. Place the spinach in a salad bowl, and top with the bacon and eggs. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 24 hours. The dressing can be made up to 5 days ahead. Place in a sealed jar and refrigerate up. Bring to room temperature in a bowl of warm water before pouring over the salad and tossing to serve.
Can I substitute another kind of bacon
Yes! This salad works well with turkey bacon, tempeh bacon or my favorite homemade vegan shiitake bacon. Add it just before tossing with the dressing.
How much does 12 cups of spinach weigh?
12 ounces of spinach weighs about 13 ounces.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
I love spinach! I like to switch up my lettuce in my salads and my go-to is spinach. And since spinach goes with everything, I wanted to make a classic strawberry salad with it poppyseed dressing and all! You cant go wrong with this salad combination. It is bursting with flavor and loads of texture and delicious ingredients. Its requested a LOT in our family, which says something if my kids not only will eat it but they love it!
This is a go-to salad for me and so simple to make! This salad is so easy to make, and you can easily switch things up to make this salad work for you! This is great for lunch, or a get-together, or you can even add it as a side dish to any entree. The colors are vibrant, the taste is delightful and fresh and the time spent making it is worth it.
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Summer Spinach Salad With Tomato
This simple salad comes together so easily and is a great addition to a weeknight dinner.
Its perfect for that busy back-to-school time of year when youre stressing about how to get the kids to eat their greens.
With a light oil and vinegar dressing and a few ingredients, this simple salad is ready to become your new favorite side dish.
Reasons To Make This Spinach Salad
You really will love the sweet and savory flavors which are amazing like you probably know from Brussels Sprouts Salad.
Textures are great, crunchy, juicy and creamy
This salad tastes like in a fancy restaurant, therefore you make it easily at home. It can be an appetizer, lunch or dinner.
You know I like my vinaigrettes like the Lemon Vinaigrette and this one is no exception.
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A Simple Formula For A Fast & Fancy Green Salad
This spinach salad is one to memorize. Chopped apple adds tart crunch, toasted walnuts lend heft, feta provides salty intrigue, and its all tied together with a quick honey-sweetened apple cider vinaigrette. Its a salad that pairs well with most main dishes, but could just as easily be enjoyed for lunch on its own if youre not starving, or topped with chicken if youre craving more.
What really makes this salad great, though, is how interchangeable the ingredients are. Swap arugula or baby kale for the spinach and slip in whatever seasonal fruit you have on hand in place of the apple, like berries or stone fruit. If youd rather use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts, go right ahead and of course, crumbled goat cheese would make a lovely replacement for the feta.
Homemade Creamy Poppyseed Dressing
- Mayonnaise: The base of the poppyseed dressing is mayo. You could substitute this with greek yogurt if you want a slightly healthier version.
- Milk: This mixes with the may so that the dressing is not too thick and can be drizzled on top of your greens.
- Sugar: This sweetens up the taste of the tangy mayo.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This breaks down the dressing making it the perfect consistency while adding a bit of flavor.
- Poppyseeds: These look good and a must in this dressing!
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What You Need For This Spinach Salad Recipe
Lettuce: I use romaine lettuce, but iceberg is also great.
Pomegranate molasses goes into the vinaigrette and is there to sweeten things up. Adds an amazing tang. If you cant find it, you can simply use sugar. Together with dried cranberries it created a wonderful sweet flavor and texture.
For the vinaigrette: olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic and chili flakes. Everything with the pomegranate molasses makes an unforgettable vinaigrette that is always so good.
Bacon bites are vegan, but of course if you do bacon feel free to use it.
I use dairy free feta, but you can use any feta that you want.
What Ingredients You Can Substitute In This Spinach Salad
- If you dont have baby spinach, feel free to sub in kale, arugula or any other greens you have in the fridge.
- Dont have feat cheese? Any soft cheese like goat cheese, blue, or even brie will work.
- No apple cider vinegar? Balsamic can do fine.
- Almonds can be swapped with walnuts or pecans.
- If youd like to add some protein, baked or grilled chicken tastes delicious with this spinach salad.
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How Long To Store The Spinach Salad
This spinach salad recipe keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days if stored in an air-tight container. You may have to toss up the spinach salad leftovers to redistribute the dressing before you serve. The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Drizzle over the salad when ready to serve.
Best Spinach Salad Recipe
This spinach salad is super simple yet delicious. It only takes a few ingredients that we bet you already have in your kitchen. You can definitely throw out your bottled salad dressings because once you realize how easy and fast it is to make your own spinach salad dressing, youll never get back to the bottled kind!
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Simple Spinach Salad With Avocados
This salad is a lean, mean, green machine!
The simple dish comes together quickly, combining spinach, avocados, onions, and a tangy lemon dressing that brightens the blend up.
Its a refreshing spring staple when youre looking for a side dish to whip up in a jiffy.
If you want to sneak some greens into a notoriously picky eater, this recipe will serve you well.
This dish has the power to change an anti-spinach carnivore into a salad lover.
The wilted spinach provides the perfect base to lay on the bacon dressing and chopped hard-boiled eggs.
Each bite is a savory forkful of heaven, with a dose of Vitamin K to boot!
How To Wash Fresh Spinach Leaves
The proper technique for washing spinach leaves? It comes down to a few simple things, really.
Before you rinse the spinach, wash your hands with warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds.
Rinse the spinach leaves under cold running water. You can do so leaf by leaf, hold them in your hand, or put them in a colander and run the water over them. Thats your choice entirely and which method you choose wont make much of a difference.
Pat the spinach leaves dry with a paper towel, place them on a clean tea towel, or put them in the salad spinner and spin until theyre dry. Then add to the salad, mix with the other ingredients, and dress the salad accordingly for serving.
Drying the spinach leaves, in case you were wondering, helps the dressing stick to them. Water and oil dont mix well, as you probably know. So when the leaves are wet, they cant hold on to the salad dressing.
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Spinach Salad With Asian Salad Dressing
This simple salad will delight your tastebuds will fruity, savory flavors.
The rice vinegar blends perfectly with the acidity of the orange and ginger, creating a powerful punch of flavor in every bite.
This would make the perfect side dish to a big bowl of crispy chow mein or seared salmon.
Simplicity is superior in this spinach and mushroom salad.
This recipe contains so few ingredients but offers so much in the flavor department.
It also makes a great base salad that you can add on and customize to your liking.
If youre looking for the perfect salad to power up your day, this recipe is the one for you!
This quinoa spinach power salad is the perfect recipe to meal prep for the week ahead.
Plus, it provides a nutritious staple for a busy schedule.
The quinoa provides a hearty base to this dish, with wilted spinach and a tangy vinaigrette to bring it all together.
Each bite is like a burst of sunshine.
Lets Talk Poppy Seed Dressing
When I crave spinach strawberry salad, I crave spinach strawberry salad with poppy seed dressing. Maybe its the Panera factor , but I consider the two together a package deal to be embraced.
The poppy seeds feel cheery and add micro pops of texture too!
Rather than a creamy dressing, this spinach strawberry salad calls for a poppy seed vinaigrette made with balsamic vinegar and honey for a few reasons:
- Balsamic and strawberry are divine together.
- The acidity of the dressing adds a nice balance.
- I always have balsamic vinegar in my pantry.
The two greatest barriers to making your own vinaigrette from scratch are time and ingredients. This one takes seconds, and you have everything you need to make it in your pantry right now.
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Tips For Best Salad Results
- Perfect hard boiled eggs: Follow Instant Pot eggs method for fool proof hard boiled eggs.
- Cherry vs. grape tomatoes: Either works in this recipe! Grape tomatoes are sturdier whereas cherry tomatoes have a thinner skin and burst in your mouth. If you have cherry tomatoes fresh from the garden, those are delicious!
- Use toasted seeds : Really will add flavor, just saute in a hot pan quickly and then cool before adding to salad. The smaller the seed the faster it toasts!
- Amino acids vs. soy sauce: I use amino acids in many of my recipes that call for soy sauce. Just keep in mind that soy sauce is slightly saltier!
Additional add-in tips:
- Use block cheese: If adding cheese, skip buying the tub or pre-grated stuff.
- Red onion tip: If you are sensitive to red onions harsher taste but want to add them, soak in water first.
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Arugula Salad With Apples Cranberries And Pecans
Did you know, arugula is a negative-calorie food? Its so low in calories, eating it actually burns more calories than the leafy green has.
Its also super tasty, and recipes like this make it well-known that you should be incorporating more arugula in your life.
Its tossed in a simple balsamic dressing with fruit and nuts added to add a little more oomph.
Its a great summer salad that will add something during any season.
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Quinoa Tuna And Chickpea Salad
Chickpeas can transform the average spinach salad into something spectacular in this quinoa, tuna, and chickpea salad recipe. The salad combines fluffy quinoa with canned tuna and chickpeas, baby spinach, cilantro, mint, spring onions, and cherry tomatoes. You will also love that the garlic-lemon dressing is effortless to whip up.
Notes On Making Simple Spinach Salad:
- It helps to have really good balsamic vinegar and olive oil here since those are your big flavors. You dont have to go buy the most expensive thing you can find in the store. In fact, I get the Costco brand for both my balsamic vinegar and olive oil and have found them to be very good quality and flavor. Find something you love.
- You also want fresh, bright baby spinach to use in this salad for the best flavor.
- Or you can swap out your favorite green for this salad if you want to change things up. A spring mix, arugula or butter lettuce would be great here too. Or use a combination!
- Make sure to wait to add the dressing until right before you are ready to serve. Greens, once tossed with a vinaigrette, have a short shelf life before they begin to wilt.
Want to spruce up this salad a bit with some fun toppings?
You know I love some toppings so of course Ive got you covered!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad With Red Wine Vinaigrette
Fresh spinach and strawberries with toasted sesame seeds form the base of this impressive strawberry spinach salad. The recipes dressing is a red wine vinaigrette that youll want to keep in stock. With a flavor combination that includes dill, garlic, garlic, and dried mustard against red wine vinegar, its sure to make your taste buds happy.
Beet Salad With Spinach And Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
The Spruce
Beets are fantastic with spinach as well. Roast the beets or boil them for this simple and intriguing beet and spinach salad recipe. The balsamic dressing is impressive and flavorful, mixing garlic, Dijon mustard, and honey for a sweet-savory topping. The salad is finished off with bacon, toasted pecans or walnuts, and a bit of cheese.
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Mandarin Pasta Spinach Salad With Teriyaki Dressing
This pasta salad comes with a twist.
The teriyaki dressing brings this dish to a whole new level, adding a salty sweetness that is unparalleled to anything else.
Combined with the juicy bits of Mandarin orange, this is one unforgettable pasta salad that will elevate your work lunches to a whole new level.
How To Make The Best Ever Strawberry Spinach Salad
Consider this recipe more of an adjustable, go-with-the-flow starter than a strict script.
Ive included the ingredients and amounts to make a stellar spinach strawberry salad for a crowd, but you can switch them up to suit your preference or keep things fresh and new when you come back to make it again.
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Instructions For This Spinach Salad
Start by prepping the dressing using this Honey Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing recipe. Alternatively, you can put aside 4 tablespoons of your preferred dressing.
Hint: You can make in a small mixing bowl, measuring cup, or my favorite, directly in a large mixing bowl you’ll use to toss the salad if enjoying immediatelyNext add 5-6 cups of baby spinach, ½ cup thinly sliced red onion, 1 cup thinlyslicedEnglish cucumber, ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese, and ¼ cup of choppedwalnuts. Toss the salad until coated with dressing, and serve immediately.
Spinach Salad With Apples
Fresh and light salads hit the spot any time of the year. Full of apples and toasted nuts, this salad is a hit whenever I serve it. It always amazes me when we get together with friends this is the first bowl emptied.
I was thinking the other day about how far salad options have come over the years. As a kid, all I really remember is iceberg lettuce and maybe the occasional green leaf lettuce used as a garnish in a restaurant or on a burger.
Today there are so many options available year around when it comes to lettuce. From spinach to spring mixes full of arugula, romaine, chard, endive, radicchio, and a whole host of other lettuces.
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Can You Make Spinach Salad Ahead Of Time
Once tossed, it is best to enjoy salad the same day. Spinach wilts extremely fast.
Make Ahead: Refrigerate all salad ingredients in a bowl covered with plastic separately from the dressing for up to 2 days. Dressing lasts for up to 2 weeks in the fridge.
What if dressing solidifies in the fridge? Olive oil hardens when refrigerated. Just place the jar with the dressing in a bowl with hot water for 10 minutes or so. Always shake dressing before adding to salad.
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Spinach Apple Salad Recipe
- light flavor olive oil
Dressing Instructions
Salad Instructions
Spring Mix Salad Recipe
Spring mixes with arugula, red lead lettuce, spinach, and other lettuces make for such a great base for so many salads and recipes.
Apple Walnut Salad with blueberries, goat cheese, plenty of fresh greens, and parsley is a fall favorite and it is a perfect match for the very popular Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette too!
Arugula Tomato Salad celebrates the sweet summer freshness of tomatoes with the peppery bite of arugula glazed with balsamic.
Fresh corn, bell peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, and onion are tossed with lime and a sprinkling of spices to create this Southwest Corn Salad perfect on a bed of spring salad mix.
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