Fresh Spinach Salad with Apples and Bacon
This crisp spinach salad is the perfect balance of sweet, salty, and crunchy in every bite.
recipesbynani.comThere is something so special about a salad that hits all the right notes at once. I love serving this spinach salad because the mix of juicy apples, savory bacon, and creamy feta makes it feel like a real treat instead of just a side dish. It is always a hit at family gatherings.
My best tip for this recipe is to wait until you are ready to serve before tossing the salad with the dressing. This keeps the spinach leaves fresh and prevents the pecans from getting soft so you get that lovely crunch when you take a bite.
🧺 Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 crisp apple, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup candied pecans
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinaigrette
👩🍳Instructions
- 1
Place the fresh baby spinach in a large serving bowl.
- 2
Add the sliced apples, red onion, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese on top of the greens.
- 3
Sprinkle the crispy bacon bits and candied pecans over the top of the salad.
- 4
Drizzle your apple cider vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.
- 5
Toss everything gently until well coated and serve immediately.
💡 Tips
Store any leftover dressing in a jar in the fridge for up to one week. If you need to make this ahead of time, keep the dressing separate and store the toppings in small containers so the salad stays crisp until dinner time.
Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.
You might also like
Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
A bright and zesty homemade dressing that brings life to any fresh green salad.
Fresh Mediterranean Orzo Salad
A bright and colorful salad packed with crisp vegetables and a tangy lemon dressing that everyone loves.
Fresh Zesty Mexican Salad
A colorful and refreshing salad packed with hearty black beans, sweet corn, and a bright cilantro lime dressing.
Hearty Kale and Sweet Potato Salad
A colorful and satisfying salad that brings together roasted sweet potatoes, fluffy couscous, and zesty lime.