Spring mix and spinach with crunchy apple slices, chewy raisins, and almonds in a tangy sweet dressing work to make this Spinach Apple Salad something I happily make and eat as often as possible.
The salad is a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors with crunchy and tender textures and it gets rave reviews every time I share it with friends.
Spinach Salad with Apples
Fresh and light salads hit the spot any time of the year. Full of apples and toasted nuts, this is a hit whenever I serve it. It always amazes me when this salad is the first dish emptied at a potluck or barbecue.
I was thinking the other day about how far salad options have come over the years. As a kid, all I really remember is iceberg lettuce and maybe the occasional green leaf lettuce used as a garnish in a restaurant or on a burger.
Today there are so many options available year around when it comes to lettuce. From spinach to spring mixes full of arugula, romaine, chard, endive, radicchio, and a whole host of other lettuces the options are nearly endless.
Spinach Apple Salad
Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy a good steakhouse-style iceberg wedge with bacon, bleu cheese, and tomatoes. However, the different textures and flavors of the lettuce we can get regularly in our local stores have me enjoying salads more than ever.
This Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad is easy, yet always appreciated. It’s a great dish to take to any gathering. Keeping the apples crisp and white and from turning brown is the trick.
To do this, as you are slicing them, place them directly into a small bowl filled with 2 cups of cold water and ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar. Soak them for about 5 minutes and then drain. Blot dry with a cloth or paper towel.
Spinach Apple Salad Recipe
- baby spinach leaves
- spring mix lettuces
- raisins
- sliced almonds toasted
- medium granny smith apples
Honey Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing
- apple cider vinegar
- honey
- mayonnaise
- dijon mustard
- yellow onion
- fresh parsley
- light flavor olive oil
Dressing Instructions
- In a small glass bowl, warm the honey and the vinegar in the microwave. Stir together until the honey dissolves. Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, onion, parsley, and oil in the pitcher of an electric blender.
- Add the honey mixture and blend until thoroughly combined. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Salad Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds until they are fragrant and browned. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl or on a platter, combine the spinach, lettuces, raisins, almonds, and apple slices. Lightly drizzle the salad with approximately half of the prepared dressing just before serving. Store the remaining dressing in the refrigerator.
Spring Mix Salad Recipe
Spring mixes with arugula, red lead lettuce, spinach, and other lettuces make for such a great base for so many salads and recipes.
Apple Walnut Salad with blueberries, goat cheese, plenty of fresh greens, and parsley is a fall favorite and it is a perfect match for the very popular Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette too!
Arugula Tomato Salad celebrates the sweet summer freshness of tomatoes with the peppery bite of arugula glazed with balsamic.
Fresh corn, bell peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, and onion are tossed with lime and a sprinkling of spices to create this Southwest Corn Salad perfect on a bed of spring salad mix.
Brussels sprouts, apples, cranberries, pecans, onion, and cheddar cheese are tossed together and drizzled with an apple cider vinaigrette to make this Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad.
Have you tried the Sweet Kale Salad at Costco? It starts with shredded kale, thinly sliced Brussels sprouts, and a generous handful of broccoli matchsticks. The greens are topped with sweet cranberries and salty pepitas before being tossed in a tangy sweet poppyseed dressing.
Spinach and Apple Salad
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 4 ounces baby spinach leaves or 2 large handfuls
- 4 ounces spring mix lettuces or 2 large handfuls
- 1 cup raisins
- ¾ cup sliced almonds toasted
- 3 medium granny smith apples but into very thin slices
Honey Cider Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 6 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1½ tablespoons finely minced yellow onion
- 1½ tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ¾ cup light flavor olive oil
Instructions
Dressing Instructions
- In a small glass bowl, warm the honey and the vinegar in the microwave. Stir together until the honey dissolves. Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, onion, parsley, and oil in the pitcher of an electric blender.
- Add the honey mixture and blend until thoroughly combined. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Salad Instructions
- In a skillet over medium heat, toast the almonds until they are fragrant and browned. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl or on a platter, combine the spinach, lettuces, raisins, almonds, and apple slices. Lightly drizzle the salad with approximately half of the prepared dressing just before serving. Store the remaining dressing in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
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