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Apple Walnut Spinach Salad

A crisp and refreshing spinach salad with sweet apples, toasted walnuts, and a light honey apple vinaigrette.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American, Autumn
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad
  • 6 cups baby spinach washed and dried
  • 2 apples thinly sliced
  • 0.75 cup walnuts toasted
  • 0.5 cup feta or goat cheese crumbled
  • 0.25 red onion thinly sliced optional
  • 0.25 cup dried cranberries optional
Honey Apple Vinaigrette
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

Equipment

  • Large salad bowl
  • Small whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Chef knife

Method
 

  1. Toast walnuts in a skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant. Let cool.
  2. Wash and slice apples thinly. Toss lightly with lemon juice if preparing ahead.
  3. Whisk olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create the vinaigrette.
  4. Place baby spinach in a large bowl.
  5. Add sliced apples, toasted walnuts, crumbled cheese, onion, and cranberries.
  6. Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.
  7. Toss gently to coat and serve immediately.

Notes

Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best texture. Add grilled chicken for a complete meal.