Spinach and apple winter salad is perfect for any holiday table spread. Delicious, fast and easy to toss together this colorful and healthy side dish will be a family favorite. Homemade balsamic vinaigrette pulls the whole salad together beautifully!
This post for Easy Pork Enchiladas first appeared over at Eazy Peazy Mealz where I was a contributor.
This spinach and apple winter salad is perfect for any holiday table spread. It is super quick to toss together making it the perfect holiday dish.
It is important to remember that the ratios of spinach, apple, cranberry, and sunflower seeds are completely up to you! The ratios given in the recipe are what I prefer but add the ingredients gradually so you can get the mix you want.
This is one of my favorite winter salads to serve with a holiday dinner. It’s a lighter side dish and you can make the dressing in advance, so it literally takes minutes to toss it all together. Anything that makes a holiday meal easier is a win in my book. Another great recipe to put on your holiday table are my Easy Canned Green Beans – I promise they are a crowd favorite and only take minutes to get ready!
I love the flavor profile of this winter salad. The craisins and apples give it a sweet edge against the tart balsamic vinegar dressing. The honey in the balsamic vinegar dressing also adds a nice sweet note to the entire salad.
Here is my favorite way to serve salads:
- Lightly dress the entire salad
- Let guests serve themselves
- Provide the extra dressing at the table so everyone can add more if they choose.
- That way everyone can personalize their salad but you can still serve a salad that is ready to eat.
This balsamic vinegar dressing is one of my favorites, and it’s great on any salad that has a sweet fruity note, like this one! Be sure to season it with salt and pepper as that really brings out the flavor of all the dressing ingredients.
If possible, purchase a high-quality balsamic vinegar. Since it is the start of the show here, the quality of the vinegar you purchase will make a difference in how the final balsamic vinegar dressing and salad turns out.
I hope you enjoy this winter salad at a holiday meal this season! Some other great ideas for your holiday table are Honey Glazed Carrots or Easy Dinner Roll Recipe.
Looking for more delicious salad dressings?
- Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
- Balsamic Salad Dressing
- Red Wine Vinaigrette
- Creamy Salad Dressing {Creamy Farmhouse Dressing}
- Creamy Peach Poppy Seed Dressing
- Steak Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Cucumber Salad Recipe
- Avocado Salad Recipe
- Cherry Tomato Salad Recipe
Spinach and Apple Winter Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Spinach and Apple Salad
- 10 ounces baby spinach 1 package
- 6 ounces dried cranberries 1 small package
- 2/3 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 apples medium, sliced thin
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 shallot minced, see note
- 1 clove garlic minced
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the Spinach and Apple Salad
- Toss all ingredients together.
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
- Combine all ingredients in a mason jar and shake well to combine.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Dress salad lightly and serve remaining dressing with the meal for guests to dress as they please.
Sammi Windley says
I always have trouble matching the right dressing to the right salad! I love this pair tho!