Spinach and Apple Salad
A refreshing and healthy salad featuring sweet apples, crunchy walnuts, and tangy maple vinaigrette, perfect for cozy fall dinners or as a Thanksgiving starter.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 5 cups baby spinach About one bag
- 1-2 medium apples (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, or Fuji) Choose based on preference for tartness
- 1/2 cup walnuts Toasted if desired
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese Optional cheese
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries Adds a chewy texture
- 1/4 small red onion, sliced thin
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds Optional for extra crunch
Maple Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Helps to pull the dressing together
- Kosher salt and black pepper To taste
Instructions
Preparation
- Slice and chop all ingredients as needed: thinly slice apples (leaving the peel on), and slice red onion thinly.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake together the maple vinaigrette ingredients until well combined.
Assembly
- In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, apples, walnuts, cheese, cranberries, and onion.
- Drizzle with half of the vinaigrette and toss gently. Taste and add more dressing if desired.
- Top with remaining cheese and nuts for garnish before serving.
Notes
For make-ahead options, keep dressing separate until serving to maintain freshness. Apples can brown quickly; a spritz of lemon juice can help.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 8gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 180mgFiber: 4gSugar: 10g
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