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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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