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This easy Spinach Salad is loaded with crips apples, creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts. Served with a simple dressing, it is perfect as a healthy side dish for quick weeknight dinners and holidays.
Table of Contents
I’m usually not a fan of spinach salad recipes, I prefer a protein-packed spinach dip recipe or spinach wraps. But this time things are different. Right after the first forkful, my girlfriend and I fell in love with apple spinach salad. It’s so quick to put together that this has quickly become part of our weekly rotation.
Why you will love this recipe
- It offers the perfect combination of flavors and textures. With crisp apples, creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts over a bed of tender spinach, this seasonal salad tastes so delicious. It’s lightly sweet and savory, thanks to the briny cheese and tangy dressing.
- Made in a bowl in under 10 minutes, this dish is so easy to prepare. You can assemble it before eating, or you can make it ahead for upcoming dinners, holiday meals and parties.
- This easy spinach salad with apples comes in handy for any occasion. You can enjoy it as a side to your chicken, or you can make it a meal with the addition of a protein and hearty grains. It is also perfect for dinner parties, Thanksgiving and family gatherings.
- With fresh spinach, apples and walnuts, this dish is good for your health. It’s packed with vitamins and iron from the spinach, healthy fats from the nuts, fiber and more nutrients from the apples.
Ingredients
Here you will find a list of the ingredients, alongside some notes and tips. I’ve also included some variations down below, in case you want to make some changes. As always, precise quantities and more information are in the recipe card at the end.
- Fresh spinach – For convenience I like using pre washed baby spinach, but you can also wash it at home (just rinse it well). Since this is a fresh salad, frozen spinach does not work.
- Apple – I recommend sweet and crisp varieties such as Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji or Golden Delicious.
- Goat cheese – Creamy pieces of goat cheese provide a savory flavor that perfectly balances the sweetness of apples. Replace with feta, Parmesan cheese, blue cheese or dairy-free alternatives.
- Walnuts – This autumn spinach salad has toasted walnuts for more texture and taste. Raw walnuts or any other type of nut are great.
- Red onion – It adds a crisp and savory flavor.
- Simple vinaigrette – I find that the best dressing for a spinach salad is lightly salty and not too sweet, apples are quite fruity. My easy vinaigrette recipe uses extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar, little maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt and pepper.
Recipe variations
- Fruit – The apples can be replaced with any seasonal fruit you like. Pear, mandarine and orange are perfect in fall and winter. Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and figs are usually available in summer.
- Cheese – Great alternatives to goat cheese are feta, blue cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano. Cottage cheese is also fantastic for more protein. If you are vegan, substitute with your favorite nondairy cheese. I like plant based feta and dairy-free cottage cheese.
- Nuts – You can substitute walnuts with pecans, roasted almonds, roasted cashews, honey roasted peanuts, pistachios, or a mix of roasted pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
- Dressing – Swap out the apple cider vinaigrette for a balsamic dressing, or use your favorite dressing.
- Mix ins – For more texture and flavor, you can add cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, seeds and crispy air fryer chickpeas.
- Make it a meal – Toss in whole grains like farro or orzo, and pair with a protein. We usually add cubes of chicken breast, lean ham, eggs, canned tuna or tofu.
How to make spinach salad
- Step 1 – Prep dressing. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil with apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Use a fork or spoon to whisk, then set it aside.
- Step 2 – Assemble salad. Add to a large bowl baby spinach, sliced apple, crumbled goat cheese, chopped walnuts and red onion.
- Step 3 – Toss. Drizzle the dressing over the spinach salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately, as a side or with protein and grains for a complete meal.
If you need to roast the walnuts, follow this simple technique. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat, then add your nuts and roast for 2 – 5 minutes. During this process, stir frequently to prevent burning.
Make ahead and storage
This apple spinach salad is best served fresh, immediately after you assemble it. If you plan to make it ahead, I recommend storing all components in different containers to preserve freshness and flavor. Here are the instructions.
- To meal prep: Prep all the ingredients ahead, then place them in individual food containers (storing the dressing in a mason jar). In the fridge, they will last for up to a day. Before eating, assemble the salad and toss with dressing.
- To store: Store leftovers in a large airtight container with lid for up to 1 day. I recommend tossing the salad with some extra dressing before you serve it.
- To freeze: Since it is made from fresh ingredients and is mixed with dressing, this spinach salad cannot be frozen. After thawing, it wouldn’t have the same taste and texture.
Serving ideas
This easy spinach salad makes the ideal side dish for any occasion. You can enjoy it as a complement to weeknight dinners and lunches, or you can prepare it for upcoming events. To make it a meal, pair it with a source of healthy carbs and lean protein, such as chicken or salmon. Let me give you some serving ideas:
- Baked sweet potato
- Air fryer sweet potato fries
- Air fryer tofu
- Baked chicken wings
- Air fryer chicken tenders
- Tuna pasta salad
- Salmon pasta
Spinach Salad
This easy Spinach Salad is loaded with crips apples, creamy goat cheese and crunchy walnuts. Served with a simple dressing, it is perfect as a healthy side dish for quick weeknight dinners and holidays.
Ingredients
- 5 oz (150 g) baby spinach
- 1 apple, thinly sliced, I recommend Honeycrisp or Gala
- ⅓ cup (80 g) crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup (30 g) walnuts, toasted and chopped
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
Apple Cider Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp maple syrup, or honey
- ½ tsp dijon mustard
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Salad Dressing
- In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil with apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Use a fork or spoon to whisk, then set it aside.
Spinach Salad
- Add to a large bowl baby spinach, sliced apple, crumbled goat cheese, chopped walnuts and red onion.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve fresh.
Notes
Ingredient notes
- Spinach: Use pre-washed baby spinach, or wash and rinse the spinach very well before assembling the salad.
- Apple: Replace apple with your favorite seasonal fruit such as pear, mandarine, orange, strawberries or berries.
- Goat cheese: Replace goat cheese with feta, Parmesan cheese, cottage cheese or plant based feta.
- Walnuts: This recipe recommends toasted walnuts (directions below), but you can also use raw walnuts. Replace with pecans, almonds or roasted seeds.
- Dressing: I find that apple adds plenty of sweetness, so I only add ½ teaspoon of maple syrup. For a sweeter vinaigrette, use 1 teaspoon.
Homemade roasted walnuts
Preheat a large skillet over medium heat, then add the walnuts and roast for 2 – 5 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning.Storage notes
- Tip: This salad is best served immediately. If you make it ahead for later, store all components in different containers to preserve freshness and flavor.
- To meal prep: Prepare all ingredients ahead, then place them in individual food containers. Store the dressing in a mason jar. Before eating, assemble the salad and toss with dressing.
- To store: Store leftovers in a large airtight container for up to 1 day. Toss with extra dressing before serving.
- To freeze: Spinach salad cannot be frozen.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 233.2kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 6.1g | Fat: 19.9g | Saturated Fat: 4.9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9.3g | Cholesterol: 9.2mg | Sodium: 111.5mg | Potassium: 312mg | Fiber: 2.6g | Sugar: 6.1g | Vitamin A: 3749.6IU | Vitamin C: 13.2mg | Calcium: 78.5mg | Iron: 1.8mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
Spinach salad, I liked this recipe is a good option with apple.
Hey,
I agree!! Absolutely delicious and nourishing I would say 😉
All the best,
Matteo