Description
A fresh and vibrant Apple Spinach Salad with a zesty honey-mustard lemon dressing that perfectly balances crisp apples, tender spinach, and a slightly sweet and tangy dressing. This nutritious and easy-to-prepare salad is ideal for a quick lunch or a flavorful side dish that complements any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 fresh apples, cored and thinly sliced (preferably Honeycrisp or Fuji)
- 4 cups baby spinach, washed and patted dry
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (or whole grain/yellow mustard as substitute)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Add-ins
- Toasted walnuts, pecans, or almonds
- Crumbled feta or goat cheese
- Dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Apples and Spinach: Wash the fresh apples and baby spinach thoroughly. Core and thinly slice the apples into bite-sized pieces. Gently pat the spinach dry to avoid watering down the dressing.
- Mix the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.
- Combine Ingredients: Place the sliced apples and spinach in a large salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat the leaves and apples evenly without bruising the spinach.
- Add Optional Toppings: If using nuts, seeds, or cheese, sprinkle them over the top now for added texture and flavor just before serving.
Notes
- Use crisp apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji for the best crunch and sweetness.
- Dress the salad just before serving to keep spinach fresh and avoid wilting.
- Adjust lemon juice and honey in the dressing to balance acidity and sweetness to your taste.
- Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent dilution of the dressing.
- Lightly toast nuts to enhance their aroma and crunch without overpowering the salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: apple spinach salad, honey mustard dressing, lemon dressing, fresh salad, healthy salad, quick salad, vegan salad option