Apple Spinach Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

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​This Apple Spinach Salad recipe is one of my all-time favorites. It’s made with a delicious mix of sweet and savory ingredients, it’s tossed with a tangy apple cider vinaigrette, and it’s always a crowd favorite!

​Feel free to sub in whatever greens, nuts, or soft cheese that you have on hand (see Tips below).

Ingredients

• 10 ounces baby spinach
• 2 large apples, cored and thinly-sliced
• half a small red onion, peeled and thinly-sliced
• 1 cup walnut halves, toasted
• 2/3 cup dried cranberries
• 5 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
• a generous pinch of salt and black pepper
• (optional) 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup, to sweeten

Tips

• If prepping in advance, toss the apple slices in some lemon juice so they don’t brown
• Feel free to incorporate or substitute the spinach with kale or other greens you have in the fridge
• Substitute other nuts like toasted pecans
• Any soft cheese like goat, blue or even brie can be used
• If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, substitute champagne vinegar, rice vinegar or balsamic
• To make this salad into a meal, add baked chicken

 
Directions

1. Add spinach, apples, red onion, walnuts, dried cranberries, and half of the feta cheese to a large bowl.

1. Add all ingredients together in a bowl and whisk to combine.  Or, add all ingredients to a mason jar, cover, and shake to combine.
2. Drizzle with the vinaigrette, and toss to combine.
3. Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining feta cheese.