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Spinach & Apple Salad with Cranberries, Pecans & Feta Recipe

Spinach & Apple Salad with Cranberries, Pecans & Feta Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 5 reviews

A refreshing and nutritious Spinach & Apple Salad featuring crisp baby spinach, sweet apples, tart cranberries, crunchy toasted pecans, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a tangy honey-Dijon dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish.

Ingredients

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Salad Ingredients

  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 large apple (thinly sliced, preferably green or red)
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup pecans (toasted)
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
  • 1/4 red onion (thinly sliced)
  • Fresh black pepper to taste

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast pecans: Place pecans in a dry pan over medium heat and toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, lay the fresh baby spinach evenly as the foundation of your salad.
  3. Add toppings: Arrange thinly sliced apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, crumbled feta cheese, and thinly sliced red onion on top of the spinach. Season lightly with fresh black pepper.
  4. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
  5. Toss and serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated, or serve layered for an appealing presentation.

Notes

  • For extra crunch, substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds.
  • Use a tart apple variety such as Granny Smith for a nice balance against the sweetness of cranberries and honey.
  • For a vegan version, omit feta cheese or replace with a vegan cheese alternative.
  • Toast pecans carefully to avoid burning, as this will affect the flavor.
  • The salad is best served immediately after dressing to maintain spinach freshness and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Spinach salad, apple salad, cranberry salad, pecan salad, feta cheese, healthy salad, honey mustard dressing

Find it online: https://maicook.com/spinach-and-apple-salad-with-cranberries-pecans-and-feta-recipe/