Spinach Apple Salad
Need a fall salad that everyone will look forward to? This Spinach Apple Salad is just the recipe for you! It’s nutritious and delicious, and the entire family will love it!
I eat salad almost every single day, so I love changing things up depending on what ingredients I have on hand.
While I love savory salads like my Massaged Kale Salad and Horiatiki, sweet and savory versions like this Spinach Apple Salad are my absolute favorite.
The combination of tender baby spinach, crisp apple, salty feta cheese, chewy tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts and tangy dressing makes for one addictive fall salad!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- This Spinach and Apple Salad is the perfect combination of sweet and savory flavor with crunchy, chewy textures. It hits all the marks!
- It’s nutritious yet delicious, and appeals to the pickiest eaters.
- It’s so easy to make and includes only a few ingredients.
- This versatile salad is great for weeknights, dinner parties or holidays.
Recipe ingredients
As shown below, this Spinach Apple Salad includes just a few simple ingredients, and may be easily customized with what you have on hand.
Ingredient notes
- Spinach. I use pre-washed organic baby spinach, which is a huge timesaver. It’s got a mild flavor that is the perfect compliment to the other ingredients, but it may be substituted with your favorite greens.
- Salad Dressing. I love using my Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing for this recipe, but my Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing or Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing would work perfectly as well. You may also use your favorite store bought dressing if you prefer.
- Feta cheese. The feta cheese may be substituted with goat cheese, or omitted altogether if following a dairy free diet.
- Walnuts. The walnuts add protein, flavor and a crunchy texture to the salad. Feel free to substitute with your favorite nuts or seeds.
How to make this recipe
This spinach and apple salad is extremely easy to make, and comes together even more quickly if the walnuts are toasted and the dressing is made in advance.
The salad dressing instructions are provided in a separate post.
- Place the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside at room temperature until cool.
- Place the spinach, apples, feta cheese, dried cranberries and walnuts in a large bowl. Add enough salad dressing to coat and toss gently until combined. Serve immediately.
FAQs
Are spinach salads good for you?
Spinach has a vast amount of nutrition benefits, but spinach salads are only as good for you as the other ingredients that they include.
This salad is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, but it does contain sugar from the apples, dried cranberries and dressing. If you’re following a low carb or low sugar diet, be sure to adjust the quantities or omit certain ingredients altogether to fit your particular diet.
I like to serve this salad with my tangy apple cider dressing, but it also works well with lemon poppy seed, balsamic and creamy poppy seed dressings.
This is a versatile salad that compliments almost anything you’re serving for any occasion. Serve with chicken, turkey or pork, or alongside soup and chili.
I don’t recommend making Spinach Apple Salad in advance as the spinach wilts very quickly. You can certainly prep your ingredients in advance and assemble just before serving.
Recipe notes
- Toast the walnuts in advance, or purchase pre-toasted nuts for a time saver. Not a fan of walnuts? Substitute with your favorite nuts or seeds.
- Salad dressing may be prepped in advance, or use your favorite store bought brand.
- I don’t recommend making this recipe in advance as spinach wilts very quickly. Simply prep your ingredients ahead and assemble the salad right before serving.
More fall salad recipes you’ll love:
- Autumn chopped salad by The Recipe Critic
- Butternut squash quinoa salad
- Harvest salad
- Persimmon salad
- Pear salad
- Wild rice salad
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Spinach Apple Salad
Ingredients
- 5 ounces baby spinach
- 1 apple chopped
- 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup walnuts
- apple cider vinegar dressing to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Place the spinach, apple, feta cheese, dried cranberries and walnuts in a large bowl. Toss gently with the desired amount of dressing and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition information does not include the dressing as that has been calculated in a separate post.
- Toast the walnuts in advance, or purchase pre-toasted nuts for a time saver. Not a fan of walnuts? Substitute with your favorite nuts or seeds.
- Salad dressing may be prepped in advance, or use your favorite store bought brand.
- I don’t recommend making this recipe in advance as spinach wilts very quickly. Simply prep your ingredients ahead and assemble the salad right before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This recipe was originally published in January 2013. The photos, text and recipe have been updated.
6 Comments on “Spinach Apple Salad”
I made this salad with the Apple Cider Vinaigrette. It is one of the best salads I have had in a very long time. There is absolutely nothing that I could do to make it better. I will be putting this dish into regular rotation – regardless of the season. It is that good.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the salad and I truly appreciate your feedback!
Marcie, the flavors in this salad are incredible! My family will love it!
Thank you so much Kelly!
I’m like you and eat a salad almost everyday for lunch. This does indeed sound like a good one…thanks for sharing.Â
Thank you so much Karen!