Spinach & Apple Salad W/ Bacon Dressing

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Servings: 6 Difficulty: Intermediate
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A warm bacon dressing tossed with fresh spinach and crisp apples for a balanced, savory-sweet salad.
Spinach & Apple Salad W/ Bacon Dressing recipe image

This Spinach and Apple Salad features tender fresh spinach wilted by a warm, savory bacon dressing. The combination of crisp bacon, sweet-tart apples, and sharp cider vinegar creates a complex flavor profile that is both comforting and refreshing. The hot dressing lightly wilts the spinach, enhancing its natural sweetness while retaining a pleasant texture. Perfect for a light lunch, a picnic side, or a quick weeknight dinner, this dish brings together simple ingredients for a sophisticated result. It’s an excellent way to use seasonal apples and add a touch of indulgence to a healthy meal. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between the warm dressing and the cool, crisp apple slices.

Spinach & Apple Salad W/ Bacon Dressing recipe image
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Spinach & Apple Salad W/ Bacon Dressing

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 6 Calories: 57.5

Description

This Spinach and Apple Salad features tender fresh spinach wilted by a warm, savory bacon dressing. The combination of crisp bacon, sweet-tart apples, and sharp cider vinegar creates a complex flavor profile that is both comforting and refreshing. The hot dressing lightly wilts the spinach, enhancing its natural sweetness while retaining a pleasant texture. Perfect for a light lunch, a picnic side, or a quick weeknight dinner, this dish brings together simple ingredients for a sophisticated result. It&# 226;ÂÂs an excellent way to use seasonal apples and add a touch of indulgence to a healthy meal. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between the warm dressing and the cool, crisp apple slices.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Place the torn fresh spinach in a large serving bowl.
  2. Cook the bacon slices in a large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp.
  3. Remove the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain and set aside.
  4. Discard all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings from the skillet.
  5. Add the vegetable oil to the remaining drippings in the skillet and heat over medium heat.
  6. Add the diced onion to the skillet and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.
  7. Stir in the cider vinegar, brown mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.
  8. Bring the dressing mixture to a boil, then immediately remove from heat.
  9. Add the sliced apple to the bowl with the spinach.
  10. Pour the hot dressing over the spinach and apple mixture; toss well to coat and slightly wilt the spinach.
  11. Crumble the cooked bacon and sprinkle it over the salad.
  12. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 6

Amount Per Serving
Calories 57.5kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 1.0g2%
Saturated Fat 0.0g0%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 197.5mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 9.0g3%
Dietary Fiber 5.5g22%
Sugars 1.0g
Protein 7.2g15%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth or extra oil to sauté the onions, adding a bit more mustard for depth.

Serve this salad immediately after tossing with the hot dressing to maintain the best texture of the spinach and apples.

Choose crisp apples like Honeycrisp, Gala, or Fuji for the best contrast in texture and flavor.

If you prefer a less wilted spinach, reduce the heat of the dressing slightly before pouring or toss the spinach immediately.

Keywords: spinach, apple, bacon, salad, warm dressing, cider vinegar, side dish, lunch, healthy, easy, quick, vegetarian-friendly, fall salad, wilted spinach
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