Apple Spinach Salad Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Apple Spinach Salad featuring tender baby spinach, crisp apples, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and creamy goat cheese, all tossed in a lightly sweet and tangy apple cider vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a flavorful side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (with pre-toasted walnuts)
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 5 oz baby spinach
- 2 small apples, cored and thinly sliced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup chopped toasted walnuts
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- 3 oz crumbled goat cheese made with microbial or vegetable enzymes
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon-style mustard made with distilled vinegar
- 1 small minced garlic clove
- Generous pinch of salt
- Generous pinch of black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Whisk or shake together the extra-virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon-style mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and emulsified to create a flavorful dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, thinly sliced apples, thinly sliced red onion, chopped toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and crumbled goat cheese, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Toss and Serve: Drizzle enough dressing over the salad to lightly coat the leaves and gently toss everything together. Serve immediately to ensure the spinach remains fresh and crisp.
Notes
- Keep the dressing separate until just before serving to maintain the freshness and crispness of the spinach leaves.
- Use toasted walnuts for enhanced flavor and texture; you can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until fragrant.
- Choose crisp, sweet-tart apple varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best flavor contrast.
- The goat cheese should be made with microbial or vegetable enzymes to keep it vegetarian-friendly.
Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/apple-spinach-salad-recipe/