This Spinach Salad with Creamy Balsamic Dressing features wholesome and flavorful ingredients like apples, walnuts, and goat cheese. It’s easy to make, packed with nutrients, and bursting with fresh flavors.
There was once a time when many people thought salads were boring. In recent years, the world has started to shift towards a healthier lifestyle with an emphasis on fresh, whole foods. Now, not only are more and more people realizing that salads are actually the opposite of boring, but there are even dining establishments dedicated solely to serving different types of salads!
Salads are an incredible way to get a ton of different flavors into one bowl and one of my favorite ways to clean out the fridge at the end of the week. Any time I find myself with a ton of leftover veggies that I’m not sure what to do with, I simply toss them into a salad and voila! Instant delicious meal.
This Spinach Salad is loaded with healthy and flavorful ingredients like crisp apples, cucumbers, walnuts, tangy goat cheese, and sharp red onion. The combination of sweet and savory ingredients all wrapped up in a thin coat of creamy homemade dressing is out-of-this-world delicious. Spinach also won't' want to miss this Strawberry Spinach Salad.
You can serve this dish on its own or pair it with grilled chicken or fish and a grain like quinoa or rice for a complete healthy meal that guarantees to impress. This refreshing and flavorful salad makes the perfect summer dish, so try it out and see for yourself! You can also add crispy bacon if the classic spinach and bacon salad is what you're craving.
Key Ingredients
To bring this vibrant salad to life, you will need the following key ingredients:
- Baby Spinach: This mild and nutrient-rich green makes the perfect base for our salad. Feel free to swap it out for kale, arugula, or mixed greens, if you’d like.
- Cucumbers: These crunchy veggies are mild in flavor and excellent for a boost in hydration. You could also add some bell pepper for crunch.
- Apples: You can use any variation of apples you prefer, or swap them out for pears instead.
- Walnuts: I love the nutty flavor and crunch that these add. If you don’t like walnuts, you can use plain almonds or pecans. If you have the time, make toasted walnuts or toasted pecans in a skillet to bring out even more flavor in the nuts.
- Goat cheese: This tangy cheese adds a delicious flavor and gives the salad a creamy component. If you don’t like goat cheese, try swapping it out for feta cheese, blue cheese, or gorgonzola cheese.
- Red onion: This adds a nice pop of color and a sharp bite to the salad. Green onions also work for a milder flavor.
Spinach Salad Recipe Ideas
When it comes to salads, there are plenty of ways to get creative depending on what you’re in the mood for and what you have laying around. Here are some of my favorite ways to switch up this dish:
- Use a different base: Not a fan of spinach or just looking to try something else? You can use another leafy green like kale, arugula, or mixed greens.
- Add a protein source: You can beef up this salad to make it a more filling meal by adding your favorite source of protein. I love adding grilled chicken or fish, but you can also add a vegetarian protein source like chickpeas or lentils.
- Swap out the fruit: You can swap out the apples with another fruit like pears or fresh strawberries. For added sweetness, you could also combine the sliced apples with dried cranberries or raisins.
- Use a different cheese: If you don’t like goat cheese or don’t have any, you can easily swap it out for a different type of cheese. Some of my favorite choices for this dish include feta cheese, blue cheese, and shredded parmesan cheese.
- Change up the dressing: If you aren't in the mood for balsamic vinaigrette, you could make a simple lemon salad dressing. Just whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add a splash of red wine vinegar for more acidity. For a different creamy option, try this yogurt blue cheese dressing or healthy honey mustard.
What to Serve With This Dish
When I’m serving this dish as part of a larger meal whether it’s for a family dinner or a party, I love pairing it with cooked meats, soups, and pasta dishes. Just in case you’re in need of a little inspiration, here are some of my favorite dishes to serve with this salad:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Quinoa Soup with Kale
- Easy Turkey and Butternut Squash Chili
- Healthy Zucchini Lasagna
- One Pot Tomato Basil Pasta
- Balsamic Chicken with Mushrooms
- Healthy Tuscan Chicken with Zucchini and Tomatoes
How to Store Salad and Meal Prep
When storing the leftovers, it’s best to store the dressing separately from the salad so the salad doesn’t get soggy. If the dressing is already mixed in, you can store the dish in the fridge for a day or two. When stored separately in airtight containers, the salad will last in the fridge for up to 4 days and the dressing will last in the fridge for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you will find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this healthy salad recipe:
What can I use instead of spinach?
Any leafy green will work well as a base for this salad. Some of my favorite alternatives include kale, arugula, and mixed greens.
Is spinach salad good for weight loss?
This dish is low in calories and high in nutrients, making it an excellent addition to any healthy diet. If you’re trying to lose weight, recipes like this one are great to add to your routine.
What goes well with spinach salad?
This salad goes well with a wide variety of dishes, but I personally like to pair it with a lean protein like chicken or fish and some type of grain like pasta, rice, or quinoa. The classic soup and salad combination is always a great choice as well.
What can I use instead of walnuts?
If you aren’t a fan of walnuts, you can swap them out for another type of nut or seed to get a nice crunch and add a ton of nutrients. Some of my favorite options include almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and hemp hearts.
More Healthy Salad Recipes
If you liked this delicious recipe, try out these healthy salad recipes next:
- Arugula Salad
- Spring Mix Salad
- Fresh Broccoli Salad
- Easy Cucumber Salad
- Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Corn