Delightful Apple Feta Spinach Salad with Homemade Maple Vinaigrette: A Fresh & Easy Recipe
Discover the ultimate fresh and vibrant salad that’s guaranteed to impress: our Apple Feta Spinach Salad. This incredible dish offers a perfect harmony of crunchy textures, sweet apple notes, and a tangy kick, all brought together by a sensational homemade maple vinaigrette. It’s not just simple to prepare; it’s also a consistent crowd-pleaser that leaves no leftovers, making it an ideal choice for any gathering or a delightful weeknight meal.
A sudden craving for a fresh, healthy salad can strike at any moment, and when it does, your body often knows exactly what it needs. We believe in embracing those desires with recipes that are both invigorating and accessible. This particular Apple Feta Spinach Salad recipe is a testament to that philosophy, featuring everyday ingredients that combine to create something truly extraordinary. It’s also an excellent way to savor the last of the season’s crisp apples, ensuring they don’t go to waste. Universally loved, this salad consistently receives rave reviews from my family and friends, quickly becoming a staple in our household.
Spinach salad recipes have long been cherished as reliable side dishes, expertly adding a vital nutritional balance and a burst of freshness to virtually any meal. Fresh spinach, coupled with tender spring greens, forms the perfect, wholesome foundation for what we affectionately call “the good stuff.” Imagine biting into crisp, sweet apple pieces, perfectly complemented by rich, toasted pecans. Then, a sprinkle of tart dried cranberries adds another layer of flavor and texture, ensuring every mouthful is an exciting, vibrant explosion of taste.
At the heart of this Apple Feta Spinach Salad is its incredibly easy-to-make, yet remarkably sweet and zesty homemade vinaigrette. You won’t find any obscure or hard-to-source ingredients here. The dressing relies on common pantry staples: refreshing apple cider vinegar for its tang, a neutral vegetable oil for body, a dollop of piquant Dijon mustard for depth, and a touch of garlic powder for aromatic warmth. However, the true star and secret ingredient is pure maple syrup. While its inclusion might initially surprise you, the natural sweetness of the syrup beautifully balances the sharp tang of the vinegar and mustard, creating an exquisite contrast that wonderfully accents the creamy, salty feta crumbles scattered throughout the salad. This unexpected pairing is what elevates the entire dish, transforming a simple salad into a memorable culinary experience.
Expert Tips for Preparing Your Apple Feta Spinach Salad Ahead of Time
One of the many advantages of this Apple Feta Spinach Salad is its adaptability for meal prep. Nearly all of the preparatory steps can be completed up to 8 hours before you plan to serve it. This makes it an excellent option for busy individuals or for those hosting a dinner party. For instance, if you’re getting it ready in the morning to serve with dinner, following these specific tips will ensure your salad remains as fresh, crisp, and flavorful as if it were just assembled, guaranteeing the best possible results.
Tame Those Red Onions: Red onions, while adding a beautiful color and sharp bite, can sometimes be overwhelmingly harsh, potentially overpowering the delicate flavors of a salad. To mitigate this, immerse your thinly sliced red onions in an ice water bath for about 10 minutes. This simple but effective technique works wonders in mellowing their pungent flavor. After soaking, be sure to squeeze out all the excess water with paper towels. This crucial step not only removes the harshness but also ensures the onions remain crisp without adding unwanted moisture to your salad, thereby enhancing its overall texture and flavor profile.
Keep Apples Fresh and Flavorful with the Dressing: A common challenge when preparing salads in advance is preventing apples from turning brown and losing their crispness. Our solution is both clever and practical: prepare your homemade maple vinaigrette by shaking all the ingredients vigorously in a mason jar until well combined. Immediately after, add your chopped or thinly sliced apples directly into the jar with the dressing. The vinegar in the dressing acts as a natural antioxidant, effectively preventing the apples from oxidizing and browning. Furthermore, the apples will soak up some of that delicious dressing, infusing them with extra flavor while keeping them wonderfully crisp until the moment you’re ready to dress and serve your salad.
The Non-Negotiable Step: Toast Your Pecans! Many home cooks tend to skip the step of toasting nuts, considering it unimportant or an extra hassle. However, for this Apple Feta Spinach Salad, toasting your pecans is absolutely essential and makes a world of difference. Toasting pecans (either in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant, or in an oven) brings out their inherent nutty flavor, deepens their color, and significantly enhances their crunchy texture. If you’re assembling your salad ahead of time, this step is even more critical as it helps the nuts maintain their desirable crispness, preventing them from becoming soggy or losing their textural appeal when mixed with other ingredients. Don’t skip this, your taste buds will thank you!
Strategically Arrange Your Ingredients for Peak Freshness! When preparing this salad in the morning with the intention of serving it for dinner, the way you assemble the components in the serving bowl plays a significant role in maintaining optimal freshness and flavor. By carefully layering your ingredients, you minimize interaction between components that might affect each other’s texture or taste, allowing for quick and easy final assembly. Here’s a detailed guide on how I achieve this:
- Begin by placing the prepared (soaked and dried) red onions at the very bottom of your large serving bowl. This keeps their subtle flavor contained and prevents them from permeating the more delicate greens above.
- Next, layer the fresh spinach or spring greens mix directly on top of the onions. Ensure the greens are completely dry to prevent wilting.
- Once the base is set, artfully arrange the remaining ingredients – the toasted pecans, crumbled feta cheese, and dried cranberries – in small, separate piles on top of the spinach. The key is to ensure these ingredients are not touching each other too much, especially the feta, which can absorb moisture from the greens if in direct contact for too long.
- Once all components are strategically placed, securely cover the bowl with press and seal wrap or an airtight lid. This helps to lock in freshness and prevent any strong aromas from escaping or affecting other foods in your refrigerator.
- Refrigerate the assembled bowl until about 15-20 minutes before serving. Remember, the initial soaking of the onions and keeping them separated at the bottom of the bowl are crucial. If these steps are overlooked, the entire salad can quickly take on an overpowering onion flavor. By meticulously following these simple yet effective tips, you’ll ensure your Apple Feta Spinach Salad remains perfectly balanced, crisp, and absolutely delicious when it’s time to enjoy!
What You’ll Need to Create This Exquisite Apple Feta Spinach Salad
Gathering your ingredients is the first exciting step towards crafting this incredible salad. This recipe focuses on fresh, wholesome components that are readily available and combine beautifully to create a symphony of flavors and textures.
For the Salad Components:
- 5 ounces fresh spinach or spring greens mix: The foundation of our salad, providing a tender and nutritious base. Ensure they are thoroughly washed and dried.
- 2 small apples, cored and thinly sliced: Choose crisp, sweet varieties like Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, or Granny Smith for a tart contrast. Thin slices ensure every bite gets a piece of apple.
- ¼ of a red onion, thinly sliced (about ½ cup): Adds a sharp, vibrant flavor. Remember our tip for soaking them to mellow their intensity!
- 1/2 cup pecan halves, toasted: Toasted pecans add a deep, nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch that complements the other ingredients beautifully.
- ⅔ cup crumbled feta: The salty, tangy, and creamy notes of feta cheese provide a wonderful counterpoint to the sweetness of the apples and maple.
- ½ cup dried cranberries: These jewel-toned berries introduce a chewy texture and a burst of tart-sweetness that brightens the entire salad.
For the Homemade Apple Cider Dressing:
This simple yet flavorful vinaigrette is what ties all the salad components together, creating a balanced and irresistible taste experience.
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil: Provides the smooth base for the vinaigrette. A neutral oil like canola or grapeseed works best.
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar: The essential tangy component that gives the dressing its zesty character and helps keep apples from browning.
- 2 Tablespoon maple syrup: The star sweetener, offering a natural, rich sweetness that perfectly balances the vinegar and mustard.
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle pungency and helps to emulsify the dressing, giving it a smooth consistency.
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses the dressing with a mild, aromatic garlic flavor without the intensity of raw garlic.
- A generous pinch of salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and bringing out all the flavors in the dressing and the salad. Adjust to your personal taste.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Crafting Your Perfect Apple Feta Spinach Salad
Follow these straightforward steps to assemble your incredibly fresh and flavorful Apple Feta Spinach Salad. Each step is designed for ease and to ensure the best possible outcome.
Optional but Recommended Pre-step: Begin by preparing your red onion. Place the thinly sliced red onion in a small bowl filled with ice water and let it soak for about 10 minutes. This process is key to mellowing out the sometimes harsh, pungent flavor of raw red onions, making them a more pleasant addition to your salad. After soaking, thoroughly squeeze the onion dry with paper towels to remove all excess moisture. This ensures the onion remains crisp and doesn’t water down your salad.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large, spacious serving bowl, begin by adding the fresh spinach or spring greens mix. Layer on the thinly sliced apples (if not pre-soaked in dressing), the prepared red onion, the wonderfully toasted pecan halves, the crumbled feta cheese, and finally, the dried cranberries. Arrange them attractively, or if making ahead, follow our strategic layering tips mentioned above.
2. Prepare the Homemade Maple Vinaigrette: Take a mason jar or any container with a tight-fitting lid. Carefully add all the dressing ingredients: the vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Secure the lid tightly and shake the jar vigorously for about 30 seconds to a minute, or until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the dressing appears emulsified. This ensures a uniform flavor throughout the vinaigrette. If you’re making the salad ahead and opted to soak the apples in the dressing, this step would involve adding the dressing ingredients to the apples in the jar.
3. Dress and Serve: Just before you’re ready to serve, pour the freshly prepared maple vinaigrette evenly over the assembled salad ingredients in the large serving bowl. Using clean salad tongs, gently toss the salad. Ensure all the greens and other components are lightly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the peak freshness and crunch of this vibrant Apple Feta Spinach Salad. The delightful combination of textures and flavors will make it an instant hit!
This Apple Feta Spinach Salad isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. The delightful crunch of fresh apples and toasted pecans, the creamy tang of feta, the tender embrace of spinach, and the vibrant sweetness of cranberries all dance together, elevated by the unique maple vinaigrette. It’s truly a salad that satisfies every craving and suits any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a stunning side dish for dinner, or a contribution to a potluck, this recipe delivers on flavor, freshness, and ease.
Should you be seeking additional delicious and healthy side dishes or salads to complement your dinner repertoire, be sure to explore my enticing Cranberry Couscous Salad, a vibrant and wholesome option, and the surprisingly simple yet elegant Instant Pot Asparagus Risotto, perfect for a comforting and flavorful meal. These recipes are designed to add variety and excitement to your culinary adventures!
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Apple Feta Spinach Salad
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Ingredients
- 5 ounces fresh spinach or spring greens mix
- 2 small apples (cored and thinly sliced)
- ¼ of a red onion (thinly sliced (about ½ cup))
- 1/2 cup pecan halves (toasted)
- ⅔ cup feta crumbles
- ½ cup dried cranberries
For the Dressing:
- 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- a generous pinch of salt and black pepper
Instructions
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Optional: Let the red onion soak in an ice water bath for 10 minutes, then squeeze dry with paper towels. This will mellow out the sometimes harsh flavor of red onions.
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1. In a large serving bowl add the spinach, thinly sliced apples, red onion, toasted pecans, feta cheese and cranberries.
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2. To a mason jar with a tight fitting lid, add the vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Shake well to combine.
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3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Notes
Nutrition
