This Spinach and Apple Fall Salad with Maple Dijon Dressing combines spinach with crispy apples, walnuts, and feta cheese, all tossed together with maple Dijon dressing, making for a delicious salad.
I’m always happy to serve this salad with dinner, any time of the year, but it’s particularly well received in the fall, with the fresh crispy apples and walnuts. It’s an impressive enough salad to serve at the holidays, or to take to a potluck or friendsgiving.
Why You’ll Love It
- Versatile and Adaptable: Whether served as a side dish or a standalone meal, this salad is versatile. Add grilled chicken or turkey for a protein boost or customize it with your favorite nuts and cheeses.
- Healthy and Wholesome: Packed with nutrient-rich spinach, apples, and nuts, this salad not only satisfies your taste buds but also provides a nutritious and wholesome meal option.
- Easy to Prepare: With simple ingredients and an easy-to-make dressing, this salad is a breeze to prepare. It’s a quick and delicious option for busy weeknight dinners or special occasions.
» You might also like Kale Crunch Salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Mixed Salad Leaves with Spinach – You can use a pre-packaged mix or customize it with your favorite salad greens.
- Dried Cranberries – Available in the dried fruits section of most grocery stores.
- Walnuts – You can buy them whole and chop them yourself to save a little, or go with pre-chopped.
- Feta Cheese – Buy a high-quality full-fat feta for the best flavor and texture. If you want you can substitute with blue cheese for a stronger flavor.
- Red Apple – I use Honeycrisp or Gala apples because they’re my favorite. Use whatever apples you like.
- Bacon – A nice, thick flavorful bacon will really make this salad sing. If you want, turkey bacon or pancetta can be used as alternatives.
For the dressing:
- Maple Syrup – Or a maple syrup sugar-free substitute.
- Dijon Mustard
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt & Ground Black Pepper
- Olive Oil – Avocado oil or walnut oil can be used for a different taste.
Helpful Tips
- To keep the salad fresh and prevent wilting, dress it just before serving. If you plan to make it ahead, store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad just before serving.
- If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a bit more olive oil. For a thicker consistency, reduce the amount of olive oil slightly.
- To preserve the nutrients in spinach, opt for fresh leaves and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
How to Make Spinach and Apple Fall Salad
Step 1: Combine salad ingredients
Add all of the salad ingredients to a large salad bowl. You can use any bowl you want to serve in or if you’re taking the salad to someone else’s house, you can assemble it all in a resealable container.
Step 2: Mix the dressing
Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk constantly while pouring in the olive oil, until emulsified. It’s even easier to put all of the ingredients into a sealable jar or container and shake it vigorously to emulsify it. Then you can store the dressing in this container until ready to serve.
Step 3: Dress and toss the salad
Right before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss with spoons. You don’t want to add the dressing too soon, or the spinach might begin to wilt. Hold off until the last minute!
How to Store
If you have leftover salad, refrigerate it promptly to preserve its freshness. The salad is best enjoyed when served within a day or two.
If possible, store the dressing separately from the salad. This prevents the salad from becoming soggy, especially if you plan to enjoy it over multiple servings.
Before serving leftovers, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing evenly. This ensures that each bite is flavorful and well-coated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of cheese in the salad?
Feta cheese can be substituted with goat cheese, blue cheese, or even shredded mozzarella, depending on your preference.
How long does the dressing last in the refrigerator?
The dressing can be refrigerated for up to one week in a sealed container. Shake or whisk it before use to re-emulsify the ingredients.
How do I prevent the apples from turning brown?
To prevent apple slices from browning, toss them in a bit of lemon juice or orange juice before adding them to the salad.
Can I use a different sweetener in the dressing?
Yes, you can use honey or agave syrup as alternatives to maple syrup.
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Spinach and Apple Fall Salad With Maple Dijon Dressing
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 6 cups (240 g) mixed salad leaves with spinach
- 1/3 cup (40 g) dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup (39 g) walnuts chopped
- 1/3 cup (50 g) feta cheese crumbled
- 1 red apple cored, sliced, and chopped
- 4 slices bacon cooked and chopped
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) maple syrup or maple syrup sugar-free substitute
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon (3 g) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup (79 ml) olive oil
Instructions
- Add all of the salad ingredients to a large salad bowl.
- Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk constantly while pouring in the olive oil, until emulsified.
- Right before serving, pour the dressing over the salad and toss with spoons.
Notes
- To keep the salad fresh and prevent wilting, dress it just before serving.
- If you plan to make it ahead, store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad just before serving.
- If you prefer a thinner dressing, add a bit more olive oil. For a thicker consistency, reduce the amount of olive oil slightly.
- To preserve the nutrients in spinach, opt for fresh leaves and store them in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Laura is dedicated to a low-carb lifestyle after losing 52 pounds on the keto diet. As many of us do, she struggles with her weight and has found that one of the only diet lifestyles that allows her to maintain a healthy weight is a low-carb diet. She shares her favorite low-carb recipes here that are both easy to make and full of flavor, so you don’t even miss the carbs.