Description
This vibrant Christmas Cranberry Spinach Salad is a fresh and festive dish combining baby spinach, tart dried cranberries, crisp red apples, and tangy feta cheese. Toasted slivered almonds add a delightful crunch, all brought together with a homemade honey apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a light, refreshing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 (10 ounce) bag fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 1/2 large red apple, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Spinach and Onion. In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach leaves with the thinly sliced red onion to start building your salad base.
- Add Apple and Toss. Add the thinly sliced red apple and gently toss to mix with the spinach and onions, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
- Sprinkle Cranberries. Evenly sprinkle the dried cranberries over the salad mixture to add a sweet tartness.
- Add Feta and Almonds. Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese and toasted slivered almonds, distributing them evenly for crunch and creaminess.
- Prepare Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create a smooth and tangy dressing.
- Dress the Salad. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad to bring all flavors together.
- Toss Ingredients. Gently toss all ingredients until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing, being careful not to bruise the spinach leaves.
- Serve Immediately. Serve the salad right away to enjoy its fresh, vibrant flavors and crisp textures at their best.
Notes
- Use fresh, crisp baby spinach for best texture.
- For extra crunch, toast the almonds lightly before adding.
- You can substitute feta cheese with goat cheese for a different tangy flavor.
- If you prefer a less sweet dressing, reduce the honey to 1/2 tablespoon.
- Dress the salad just before serving to prevent wilting.
