Crisp Apple-Walnut Spinach Salad with Feta Recipe

Crisp autumn leaves dance outside while a vibrant easy spinach salad with apples, walnuts, and feta beckons from the kitchen counter.

Fresh spinach leaves create a lush green canvas for sweet apple slices and crunchy walnuts.

Tangy feta cheese adds a creamy, salty punch that perfectly balances the ingredients.

Every forkful promises a delightful blend of textures and flavors that sing of seasonal comfort.

Nutritious and quick to assemble, this salad delivers a satisfying meal in minutes.

You’ll love how effortlessly these ingredients come together for a wholesome dish that feels both elegant and down-to-earth.

Dive into this simple yet stunning salad that transforms an ordinary lunch into a memorable culinary moment.

How to Put Together Spinach Salad

• Flavor Fusion Base

Create a tangy dressing by blending olive oil, apple cider vinegar, zesty Dijon mustard, sweet honey, plus a sprinkle of salt and pepper until smooth and well-combined.

• Leafy Green Canvas

Drizzle the vibrant vinaigrette over fresh baby spinach, gently coating each delicate leaf with the bright, balanced dressing.

• Textural Symphony

Scatter crisp apple slices, crumbly feta cheese, and golden toasted walnuts across the dressed greens, then softly toss to marry all the delicious elements together.

• Serving Moment

Plate and enjoy this refreshing salad immediately to savor the perfect blend of crunchy, creamy, and zesty flavors at their peak freshness.

Tips to Make Spinach Salad

• Swap walnuts with pecans or almonds for a different nutty texture and flavor profile.
• Toss in grilled chicken strips or crispy bacon bits to transform this salad into a more substantial meal.
• Prepare the vinaigrette and chop ingredients separately, storing them in the refrigerator to assemble just before serving and maintain peak freshness.
• Replace apples with pears during autumn or add dried cranberries for an extra burst of sweetness and tang.
• Substitute feta with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew cheese to accommodate different dietary needs.

Serving Ideas for Spinach Salad

• Fresh Flavor Pairing: Complement this vibrant salad with grilled chicken or seared salmon for a protein-packed meal that balances the spinach's earthy notes with lean protein.
• Picnic Perfect Plating: Serve in clear glass bowls to showcase the colorful ingredients, letting the green spinach, white feta, and golden walnuts create a stunning visual presentation.
• Wine and Dine Companion: Pair with a crisp white wine like sauvignon blanc or a light pinot grigio to enhance the salad's tangy and sweet flavor profile, making it ideal for casual lunch gatherings or elegant dinner parties.
• Bread Basket Buddy: Accompany with warm crusty bread or homemade garlic crostini to soak up the delightful vinaigrette and add a satisfying crunch to your meal.

Storing and Planning Ahead for Spinach Salad

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the salad components separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness, keeping dressing, spinach, apples, feta, and walnuts in individual sections of your refrigerator.
• Smart Prep Timing: Prepare vinaigrette and chop ingredients up to 24 hours in advance, but combine just before serving to prevent wilting and maintain crisp textures.
• Ingredient Shelf Life: Fresh baby spinach typically lasts 3-5 days when stored in a sealed container with paper towels to absorb moisture, while walnuts stay crunchy for 1-2 weeks in a cool, dark pantry.
• Leftover Transformation: Reinvent remaining salad ingredients by adding them to morning omelets, tucking into sandwiches, or mixing into grain bowls for a nutritious meal extension.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 5

What Goes into Spinach Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta

• Olive Oil: Silky base that helps blend flavors and creates smooth texture.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Bright, tangy element that adds zesty punch to the salad.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides sharp depth and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the vinegar's acidity.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and brings ingredients together.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, subtle heat and aromatic complexity.

• Baby Spinach: Tender, nutrient-dense green with delicate texture.
• Apple: Crisp fruit that introduces sweet-tart crunch and refreshing element.

• Feta Cheese: Creamy, salty cheese that crumbles beautifully and adds tangy richness.
• Walnuts: Toasted nuts providing earthy crunch and healthy omega-3 fats.

Tools to Make Spinach Salad

• Large Bowl: Essential for mixing and tossing salad ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dressing ingredients into a silky, well-combined vinaigrette.
• Knife: Sharp tool for slicing apples and chopping ingredients with precision.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for preparing fruits and nuts safely.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure honey, salt, and pepper for balanced dressing.
• Measuring Cup: Ensures correct proportions of olive oil and vinegar.

Crisp Spinach Salad

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• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Spinach salad with apples, walnuts, and feta blends crisp greens and tangy ingredients for a refreshing meal. Green nutrients and creamy cheese meet sweet fruit for satisfying lunch or side dish you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 large tart apple (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), cored and thinly sliced (about 1 ½ cups)
• 1 (5 oz / 140 g) bag baby spinach (about 5 packed cups)
• 4 oz (113 g) feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
• ½ cup (60 g) walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp honey
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, emulsified dressing with a glossy sheen.
2. Spinach Preparation: Gently fold baby spinach leaves into the prepared vinaigrette, ensuring each leaf receives a delicate, even coating that enhances the greens’ natural flavor profile.
3. Ingredient Assembly: Artfully distribute crisp apple slices, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted walnuts across the dressed spinach, creating a harmonious blend of contrasting textures and complementary tastes.
4. Final Toss and Serve: Carefully integrate all components with a light, precise mixing technique, allowing the ingredients to meld without compromising the spinach’s delicate structure. Plate and serve immediately to capture the salad’s peak freshness and vibrant character.

Notes

• Dress with Care: Gently coat spinach leaves with vinaigrette to prevent wilting and maintain leaf crispness.
• Toast Nuts Perfectly: Lightly toast walnuts in a dry skillet for enhanced nutty flavor and added crunch before adding to salad.
• Apple Selection Matters: Choose crisp, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for maximum texture and flavor contrast.
• Serve Immediately: Prepare and serve salad right away to preserve the spinach’s freshness and prevent soggy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg