Cookie and Kate’s Seasonal Spinach Salad

This fresh spinach salad features seasonal fruit, creamy goat cheese, toasted pecans, just enough red onion, and the perfect amount of vinaigrette. It’s finished with a drizzle of thick balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze. It’s also beautiful, absolutely delicious, and holiday worthy. And, easily adjusted to the changing seasons, and simple enough to make on a weeknight. Hooray!

You’re not limited to raspberries, though — this spinach salad would be equally great with apples, pears, strawberries and more. You’ll find a full list of options below.

I’ve created quite a few green salad recipes over the years, but not a lot of spinach salad recipes. Arugula, kale, romaine and spring greens are usually my fresh greens of choice. The other day, I tried a spinach salad at a local French restaurant that inspired me to give fresh spinach in salads another chance. Let me tell you, this spinach salad is worth making! I love it and hope you do, too.

Seasonal Spinach Salad Toppings

This spinach salad recipe is shown here with raspberries, but it’s easily adjusted to the changing seasons. Choose the best option available at the markets!

• Spring: Strawberries (about two handfuls thinly sliced)
• Summer: Raspberries, strawberries, peaches or nectarines (one large, thinly sliced)
• Fall: Apple or pear (one large, thinly sliced), or raspberries
• Winter: Roasted root vegetables, like roasted beets, roasted carrots or roasted sweet potatoes. Each of my roasted vegetable recipes fill a whole sheet pan, so you’ll just need a couple of handfuls and will have extra for another meal.

Spinach Salad Serving Suggestions

This fresh green salad can round out any supper with a healthy dose of greens. Try it with hearty stews, pasta dishes, sandwiches, pizzas and more. Here are a few of my top picks:

• Baked Ziti with Roasted Vegetables
• Best Lentil Soup
• Caprese Sandwich
• Homemade Vegetarian Chili
• Margherita Pizza
• Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

More Green Salads to Enjoy

Here are a few more green salads to serve with your favorite dishes. View more salad recipes here.

• Arugula and Wild Rice Salad with Zippy Lemon Dressing
• Favorite Green Salad with Apples, Cranberries and Pepitas
• Homemade Caesar Salad
• Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese & Pistachios
• Super Simple Arugula Salad

Ingredients

Salad

• 5 ounces baby spinach
• ¼ medium red onion, very thinly sliced
• 4 to 5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• ½ cup pecan halves
• 6 ounces fresh raspberries or see note for additional options
• 1 tablespoon thick balsamic vinegar* or balsamic glaze, drizzled over the top
• Freshly ground black pepper

Vinaigrette

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon maple syrup or honey
• 1 small clove garlic, pressed or minced
• ⅛ teaspoon fine salt, to taste
• Several twists of freshly ground black pepper

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 4 minutes

Total Time: 24 minutes

Make this delicious spinach salad recipe to serve with your main dish! It features fresh spinach, creamy goat cheese and seasonal fruit. Recipe yields 6 side salads.

For full recipe and instructions go to Cookie and Kate.

tagsspinach saladwinter salad recipes