Spinach Salad with Apple, Red Onion, Feta, and Toasted Almonds Recipe
A fresh and vibrant spinach salad featuring a tangy homemade vinaigrette, crisp apple slices, red onion, creamy feta, and toasted almonds. This easy-to-make salad offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for a light lunch or a healthy side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dressing
- 1 garlic clove or 1/2 shallot, minced
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Salad
- 5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 apple, such as Honeycrisp, thinly sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the minced garlic (or shallot), extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard until the mixture is fully emulsified, creating a smooth vinaigrette. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Make Ahead Option: The dressing can be made up to 5 days in advance. Transfer the vinaigrette to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh spinach, thinly sliced apple, and red onion. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Add Final Toppings: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted sliced almonds on top of the dressed salad for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh crunch and vibrant taste.
Notes
- To toast almonds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and lightly golden.
- For a milder garlic flavor, substitute minced shallot as indicated.
- Honeycrisp apples work well for their crisp texture and sweet-tart flavor, but any crisp apple variety can be used.
- Store leftover salad components separately to maintain freshness.
Keywords: spinach salad, spinach apple salad, healthy salad, feta cheese salad, almond salad, easy vinaigrette, fresh salad recipe
