Spinach Salad + Dressing

Brighten up your meal with this Spinach Salad + Dressing! With pecans, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and a zesty rosé vinaigrette. Add bacon or chicken for a perfect light meal or side – it’s a hearty salad that’s perfect for fall but will win you over any time of year.

If you’re looking for other salads that are perfect for meal prep or serving a crowd, take a peek at my Asian Sesame Chicken Salad, Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad with Apples, Asparagus Salad with Creamy Lemon Dressing, or Fall Salad with Butternut Squash.

Why We Love Spinach Salad Dressing

• Sweet and savory. This dish has layers of sweet and savory flavors. The salad itself combines sweet and tart dried cranberries with blue cheese and veggies while the dressing combines the zing of Dijon mustard and rose vinegar with the sweetness of pure maple syrup.
• Simple. This salad and the dressing are both a breeze to put together. 
• Accessible. You can easily find all of these ingredients at your local grocery store. 
• Always a hit. Whether you serve it as a main course or as a side dish, everyone loves this flavorful salad. Plus, it has nutritious greens, nuts with plenty of plant-based protein, and avocado oil with healthy fat.

What’s In This Salad And Spinach Salad Dressing

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Spinach Salad Ingredients

• Spinach
• Broccoli Florets
• Blue Cheese
• Pecans
• Dried Cranberries
• Pumpkin Seeds
• Shallot, Sliced

Spinach Salad Dressing 

• Avocado Oil
• Rosé  Vinegar – red or white wine will work too (see notes below)
• Honey
• Dijon Mustard
• Diced Shallot
• Dried Parsley
• Coarse Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper

Simple Recipe Directions

With just a few quick steps, you can have a salad put together that’s sure to impress.

When you are making this recipe, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Place all of the ingredients for the dressing into a mason jar, small bowl, or airtight container and shake or whisk until completely combined. Adjust seasoning to taste. 
2. Arrange the salad ingredients on a serving platter or in a large bowl and pour the dressing over the top. 
3. Serve immediately.

Kitchen Tips

• Dress the salad right before serving to prevent the spinach from wilting. 
• If you make the dressing ahead of time, give it a good shake so that it is well combined. 
• Fresh baby spinach is the best variety to use for this salad.

Storage

This salad is easy to store in the fridge — just keep the veggies in a separate container from the dressing so they don’t become soggy. And, of course, avoid freezing since the vegetables won’t retain their crisp freshness when thawed. 

Refrigerate/Leftovers

Place the salad in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days. The salad dressing should also be kept in a tightly sealed container and will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

FAQs

What is rosé vinegar

Rosé vinegar offers a delicate balance between the boldness of red wine vinegar and the mildness of white wine vinegar. It has bright, fruity notes with hints of citrus, red berries, and a touch of strawberry aroma. If you need a substitute, white wine vinegar works well for a milder flavor, or red wine vinegar for a stronger punch.

Do you wash spinach before making a salad?

It’s a good idea to always wash your greens before you use them in a salad, even if they’re bagged. To quickly dry them, just place them in a salad spinner or pat dry with a paper towel.

Can you eat raw spinach leaves in a salad?

Absolutely! Raw spinach leaves are full of earthy flavor and also have a great texture that makes them a great base for a salad.

Variations + Additions

• You can add any kind of protein you like from grilled chicken or beef to shrimp, tofu, or crispy bacon bits. 
• Try other cheeses like creamy goat cheese, fresh mozzarella, crumbled feta cheese, or shredded cheddar. 
• Toss in some fresh fruits like crisp apples or pears. Or, make a spinach strawberry salad by tossing in some sweet fresh strawberries. 
• Use other fresh herbs like basil or cilantro. 
• Swap out the avocado oil for olive oil or the rose vinegar for red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, or balsamic vinegar.
• Add diced red onion for a pop of color and oniony flavor.
• Hard-boiled eggs are a great way to add more protein to this spin on classic spinach salad.
• Use a hot bacon dressing, poppy seed dressing, a creamy dressing, another homemade vinaigrette, or just balsamic vinaigrette. 
• Swap out the pumpkin seeds for sunflower seeds.
• Incorporate other leafy greens like arugula or romaine lettuce.

This spinach salad combines fresh spinach, crunchy pecans, and sweet cranberries, all tossed in a tangy homemade spinach salad dressing. Add bacon or chicken for extra protein, making it perfect for a light meal or a refreshing side dish.

Like This Recipe?

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!

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Spinach Salad and Dressing

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Brighten up your meal with this Cranberry Spinach Salad! Fresh spinach, crunchy pecans, and sweet cranberries come together with a zesty homemade vinaigrette made with rosé vinegar.

Ingredients

Spinach Salad Dressing

• ½ cup avocado oil
• ¼ cup rosé vinegar (or red or white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon diced shallot
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Spinach Salad Ingredients

• 5 ounces spinach
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup blue cheese
• ½ cup pecans
• ½ cup dried cranberries
• ½ cup pumpkin seeds
• 1 shallot sliced

Instructions

1. Add the dressing ingredients. to an airtight container or jar and shake until combined. Taste to see if more vinegar or honey is needed. Set aside. 
2. Add the salad ingredients to a platter or large bowl. Top the salad with the tangy dressing and serve.

Notes

Rosé vinegar offers a delicate balance between the boldness of red wine vinegar and the mildness of white wine vinegar. It has bright, fruity notes with hints of citrus, red berries, and a touch of strawberry aroma. If you need a substitute, white wine vinegar works well for a milder flavor, or red wine vinegar for a stronger punch.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 642
Total Fat: 49g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 36g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 731mg
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 8g
Sugar: 27g
Protein: 14g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used and are just estimates. We encourage, especially if these numbers are important to you, to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.