Chopped Spinach Apple Salad

Chopped spinach and romaine salad with crisp apples, bacon, pecans, cranberries, and goat cheese.

It’s the perfect salad to take to work or to serve alongside a cozy dinner, such as Italian Zucchini Spaghetti Bake.

this recipe

Apples are not only for snacking but they also make the best salads. They add the perfect crunch and sweetness to a salad.

Over the years, I’ve shared butternut squash and apple salad, apple and walnut salad, and chopped autumn salad with apples. Now I’m sharing this spinach apple salad.

It’s made with spinach, romaine lettuce, apples, bacon, pecans, cranberries, and goat cheese. You can use just about any variety of apples. I personally love Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Pink Lady for their crunch.

Vinaigrette for Spinach Apple Salad 

Then the salad is tossed in a tangy-sweet 4-ingredient balsamic vinaigrette. Balsamic vinaigrette is so universal and pairs amazingly with the flavors in this salad.  Sometimes I like to add shallots and garlic to my vinaigrette but for this recipe, I kept it simple. 

Enjoy this salad for lunch or serve it alongside your favorite entrée. Either way, save it for the next meal. You can’t go wrong with it. It’s a straightforward salad that everyone will love.

And if you don’t like pecans or goat cheese, simply switch it up with your favorite nuts and crumbled cheese.

How to Make Spinach and Apple Salad

Step 1: First make the balsamic vinaigrette by whisking all of the ingredients together. Tip: chill the vinaigrette in the refrigerator while you prep the salad. It tastes extra good when chilled!

Step 2: Next, prepare the salad. Chop the spinach, romaine, apple, and pecans. Tip: cook the bacon in the oven for about 20-25 minutes in a preheated 400 F oven. When cooled, either crush or chop the bacon. 

In a large serving bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

Love Spinach Salads?

More spinach salad recipe variations to try:

• Quinoa Salad with Spinach and Feta
• Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chicken
• Spinach Orzo Salad with Artichokes
• Berry Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette