Spinach Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta Recipe

A spinach salad bursts with vibrant colors and unexpected flavor combinations that dance across your plate.

Fresh greens provide a nutritious canvas for this delightful culinary creation.

Crisp apple slices bring sweet-tart excitement to each forkful of verdant leaves.

Toasted walnuts add a delightful crunch that enhances an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Tangy feta cheese crumbles contribute a rich, creamy counterpoint to the salad lighter elements.

Layers of texture and taste interplay beautifully, making this dish a symphony of wholesome ingredients.

Complex yet simple, this salad promises a refreshing dining experience that nourishes both body and palate.

Apple Spinach Salad Pairing Tips

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the salad's fresh, tangy flavors, cutting through the richness of feta and walnuts.
• Match with Grilled Protein: Serve alongside lemon-herb grilled chicken or seared salmon to create a balanced, light meal that enhances the salad's delicate ingredients.
• Complement with Crusty Bread: Add a slice of rustic sourdough or whole grain bread to soak up the vinaigrette and provide a satisfying textural contrast to the crisp spinach and crunchy walnuts.
• Finish with Refreshing Dessert: Follow the salad with a light, citrusy sorbet or a small scoop of honey lavender ice cream to echo the salad's sweet and tangy notes.

Ways to Customize Apple Spinach Feta Salad

• Citrus Zinger: Swap apple cider vinegar with fresh orange juice and add mandarin orange segments for a bright, tangy flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Mix: Replace feta with crumbled goat cheese and sprinkle in some chopped kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Protein Power: Top the salad with grilled chicken or seared salmon to transform it into a complete meal with added protein and substance.
• Autumn Harvest: Substitute apples with roasted butternut squash cubes and add dried cranberries for a seasonal take on the original recipe.

Spinach Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta That Balances Every Bite

• Burst of Fresh Flavors: This salad combines the peppery bite of baby spinach with sweet crisp apple slices, tangy feta cheese, and rich toasted walnuts, creating a symphony of tastes that dance on your palate.
• Speedy Nutrition Powerhouse: Whipped up in mere minutes, this recipe delivers a nutritional punch with heart-healthy walnuts, antioxidant-rich spinach, and a homemade vinaigrette that's way healthier than store-bought dressings.
• Texture Party in Every Bite: Enjoy the satisfying crunch of toasted walnuts, the silky smoothness of the dressing, the creamy crumbles of feta, and the crisp apple slices that make each forkful an exciting sensory experience.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Perfect for quick lunches, elegant dinner starters, or a light meal that can be prepared in under 10 minutes, this salad adapts to any dining occasion with its simple yet sophisticated profile.

What You’ll Need for Apple Spinach Feta Salad

• Baby Spinach: Fresh, tender leaves that create the light and crisp foundation of the salad.
• Apple: Crisp and sweet variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for a refreshing crunch.

• Feta Cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that adds a salty Mediterranean flavor.
• Walnuts: Crunchy, toasted nuts that provide a rich, earthy texture and nutty taste.

• Olive Oil, Apple Cider Vinegar: Smooth, balanced base for a light and zesty vinaigrette.
• Dijon Mustard: Sharp and tangy condiment that helps emulsify the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the vinegar's acidity.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance and round out the overall flavor profile.

Steps for Making This Easy Fall Spinach Salad

Step 1: Prepare the Zesty Vinaigrette

• Olive oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Honey
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend the ingredients until they create a smooth, well-combined dressing that looks glossy and inviting.

Step 2: Dress the Spinach Leaves

Gently place baby spinach into the bowl with the vinaigrette.

Carefully toss the leaves, ensuring each delicate green is lightly coated with the tangy dressing.

Step 3: Add Colorful Toppings

• Crisp apple slices
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Toasted crunchy walnuts

Delicately mix all components, creating a beautiful blend of textures and flavors.

Step 4: Plate and Enjoy

Transfer the salad to serving plates immediately.

Tips for Crunchy Apples and Creamy Feta in Every Bite

• Maximize Freshness: Choose crisp, bright green baby spinach leaves with no wilting for the most vibrant salad base.
• Toast Walnuts Perfectly: Warm nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning and enhance their rich, nutty flavor.
• Balance Vinaigrette Carefully: Taste and adjust the dressing by adding a pinch more honey if you prefer a slightly sweeter profile or extra vinegar for more tang.
• Slice Apples Strategically: Cut apples just before serving to prevent browning, and choose firm, sweet-tart varieties like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for optimal crunch.
• Serve Immediately: Dress the salad right before eating to keep spinach leaves crisp and prevent them from becoming soggy or wilted.

Store and Refresh Your Apple Walnut Spinach Salad

• Refrigerate: Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Separate wet ingredients from crisp components to prevent sogginess.
• Revive Crunch: Before serving chilled leftovers, quickly toast fresh walnuts and sprinkle over the salad to restore crispness and enhance flavor.
• Avoid Freezing: This delicate salad does not freeze well due to the fresh spinach and apple, which will lose texture and become mushy when thawed.

Easy Spinach Salad with Apples, Walnuts, and Feta Recipe

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4.6 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crisp spinach leaves dance with sweet apple slices, tangy feta crumbles, and crunchy walnuts in this refreshing salad. Mediterranean flavors blend seamlessly, creating a light, nutritious dish that you’ll crave as a quick lunch or elegant side.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 (5-ounce) bag baby spinach (about 5 packed cups)
• 1 large tart apple, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, cored and thinly sliced (about 1 ½ cups)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
• ½ cup (60 grams) walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon honey

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper in a spacious mixing vessel until ingredients harmonize into a smooth, glossy dressing.
2. Delicately introduce baby spinach leaves into the prepared vinaigrette, gently maneuvering the greens to ensure each leaf receives a light, even coating of the tangy mixture.
3. Enhance the salad’s complexity by sprinkling crisp apple slices, crumbled feta cheese, and toasted walnuts across the dressed spinach, creating a layered landscape of textures and flavors.
4. Execute a final, tender toss to intertwine all components, allowing the ingredients to mingle and complement each other without bruising the delicate spinach leaves.
5. Present the salad immediately to preserve the spinach’s crisp structure and maintain the vibrant, fresh character of the dish, ensuring optimal taste and sensory experience.

Notes

• Look for crisp, fresh baby spinach leaves to ensure a vibrant and crunchy base for your salad.
• Toast walnuts briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch.
• Choose a sweet-tart apple variety like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for the best balance of flavors.
• Crumble feta cheese just before serving to maintain its creamy texture and prevent clumping.
• Whisk the vinaigrette thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated dressing that coats every leaf.
• Serve immediately after mixing to preserve the salad’s fresh texture and prevent wilting.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg