Description
A fresh and vibrant Spinach & Apple Salad featuring crisp baby spinach, sweet apple slices, tangy dried cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a simple honey and apple cider vinegar dressing. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 large crisp apple (Honeycrisp or Gala), thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup pecans, lightly toasted
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Add the baby spinach and thinly sliced apple to a large serving bowl, creating the fresh foundation for the salad.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the dried cranberries, toasted pecans, and crumbled feta cheese evenly over the spinach and apple for layers of texture and flavor.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until fully combined to create a bright, sweet, and tangy dressing.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and crisp.
- Toss gently: Gently toss the salad to combine all ingredients evenly, taking care not to bruise the delicate spinach leaves.
- Serve immediately: Serve the salad right away to enjoy the best texture and fresh flavors.
Notes
- Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Gala for the best texture and sweetness.
- Lightly toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes to enhance their flavor.
- Feel free to substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the dressing by tweaking the honey and apple cider vinegar amounts.
- This salad is best served fresh; avoid preparing it far in advance to prevent spinach from wilting.
