Monday, March 23, 2026

Spinach Salad

Spinach Salad

Spinach salad with apple, pecans, and onion in bowl.

This Spinach Salad retains it easy with tender child spinach, crisp apples, and maple-glazed pecans, all tossed in a zippy balsamic French dressing. This can be a traditional goes-with-anything salad recipe to function a simple facet dish or a fast lunch.

Spinach salad with apple, pecans, and onion in bowl.

The spinach salad I can’t cease making.

cookbook author erin clarke of well plated

I can’t take credit score for this spinach salad recipe. As a substitute, you may direct your applause and accolades (critically, it’s that good) to my sister Elaine, who made this for lunch once I visited. 

This salad was so scrumptious, I instantly grabbed the recipe from her. When she made it, she ignored the purple onion, however I feel it provides a pleasant chunk. I’ll depart it as much as you!

The opposite revelation? Making candied pecans is SO simple! I didn’t notice it wasn’t a massive course of (as a result of the very last thing we would like when making a salad is a massive course of) and people additional couple of minutes are 100% value it. Recently once I make this, I do double the candied pecans after which save the extras for salads, Yogurt Perfects and snacking all through the week!

Let’s break down what makes this salad an enormous win:

  • The Excellent Steadiness of Textures. I feel texture is the same as taste on the subject of placing collectively a profitable salad and this spinach salad has it down pat! Spinach leaves are extra tender than different greens, making them the proper foil to crunchy pecans and crisp apple.
  • These Pecans, Although. What actually makes this salad particular is the maple-candied pecans. They take only some minutes on the stovetop, however they remodel the entire salad into one thing that feels restaurant-worthy.
  • An Straightforward Aspect Salad. I like my Arugula Salad once I’m searching for a easy facet to serve with one thing like Baked Rooster Thighsand this spinach salad has joined its ranks as a goes-with-anything, comes-together-in-minutes facet choice.
Spinach salad in bowl with sliced apples, red onion, and candied pecans.

Key Elements

You’ll discover the complete record of elements within the recipe card under, however listed here are some notes to remember.

  • Child Spinach. Or use half spinach, half one other inexperienced like arugula or combined greens.
  • Pecans. For large crunch, use pecan halves as an alternative of items.
  • Maple Syrup. Somewhat than candying the pecans with sugar, this recipe makes use of maple syrup which provides taste along with sweetness.
  • Crimson Onion. Thinly slice them so that they don’t overwhelm the flavour of the opposite elements.
  • Apples. I like a sweet-crisp selection like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp. It’s also possible to use a pear if you happen to’d like. (And when it’s summertime, add this Spinach Strawberry Salad to your menu!)
  • Dressing. You’ll want olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper for this simple salad dressing.

The right way to Make Spinach Salad

Sweet the Pecans (photograph 1). Cook dinner the pecans with the maple syrup and salt till glazed.

Cool (photograph 2). Unfold the pecans onto parchment paper; the glaze will harden as they cool.

Make the French dressing (photograph 3). Whisk collectively the dressing elements.

Costume the Onion and Apple (photograph 4). Toss the sliced onion and apples with a little bit of dressing. Let this sit for 10 minutes when you have time. This mellows the flavour of the onion and helps convey the flavors collectively.

End (photograph 5). Add the spinach and pecans; toss with remaining dressing and ENJOY.

Recipe Variations

  • Make It a Meal. High with sliced Grilled Rooster Breast or rotisserie hen.
  • Add Bacon. Crumble in Air Fryer Bacon for some smoky goodness.
  • Make It Tacky. Crumbled goat cheese, blue cheese, and even cheddar or Parmesan can be scrumptious right here.
  • Strive It Nut-Free. You’ll be able to glaze sunflower seeds or pepitas as an alternative of pecans!
Spinach Salad

What to Serve with Spinach Salad

Spinach salad with apple, pecans, and onion in bowl.

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Spinach Salad

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This contemporary spinach salad with apples, maple-glazed pecans, purple onion and tangy balsamic dressing is straightforward, vibrant and ideal for any meal!
Course Salad
Delicacies American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Whole Time 10 minutes
Servings 8 facet salads or 4 giant
Energy 211kcal

Elements

For the Spinach Salad:

  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ medium purple onion very thinly sliced
  • 8 ounces child spinach or half spinach, half combined greens or arugula
  • 2 sweet-crisp apples cored and thinly sliced, reminiscent of Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp – within the fall, I like 1 apple and 1 pear

For the Dressing:

Directions

  • Make the pecans: Place the pecans in a medium skillet and prime with the maple syrup. Warmth over medium low for 4 to five minutes, stirring typically, till the syrup thickens and coats the pecans. Stir within the salt. Pour onto a sheet of parchment paper and separate. Let harden when you put together the remainder of the salad.
    Candied pecans spread onto parchment-lined pan.
  • Make the dressing: In a liquid measuring cup with a spout or bowl, whisk collectively the oil, vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon, salt, and pepper.
    Whisk in liquid measuring cup with balsamic vinaigrette.
  • Place the onion, apple, and pear in your serving bowl. High with one-third of the dressing and stir to mix. If time permits, every little thing mingle for about 10 minutes whereas the pecans proceed to chill (if you do not have time for this, no worries! I love to do it to melt the flavour of the onion a bit).
    Sliced apples and red onion in bowl.
  • Add the spinach and cooled pecans. Toss to coat, then moisten with extra dressing as desired (watch out to not overdo it). Serve instantly.
    Tongs tossing bowl of spinach salad.

Notes

  • Be at liberty to make additional pecans; they retailer at room temperature for as much as 1 week.
  • TO STORE: This spinach salad is finest loved contemporary, because the greens will wilt and the apples will begin to brown after meeting. In the event you do have leftovers, eat them inside a day; you may add contemporary child spinach to revive the salad a bit.

Diet

Serving: 1(of 8) | Energy: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fats: 16g | Saturated Fats: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 3g | Monounsaturated Fats: 10g | Sodium: 248mg | Potassium: 301mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2693IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

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