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Spinach salad is served on a white platter with a serving spoon.
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Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and Pecans

This delightful spinach salad combines tender baby spinach leaves, a flavorful vinaigrette, tangy goat cheese crumbles, and crunchy pecans. It's ready in 10 minutes!
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 224kcal
Author Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

Dressing:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic fresh, minced
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup real or sugar-free
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground

Salad:

  • 5 ounces baby spinach leaves
  • ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced; 20 grams
  • ½ cup pecans halved; 60 grams
  • ½ cup goat cheese crumbled; 60 grams

Instructions

  • In a small jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    Adding minced garlic to the jar with the salad dressing.
  • Close the lid tightly and shake the jar until the ingredients emulsify into a smooth, velvety dressing.
    The salad dressing is ready in the jar.
  • Place the spinach leaves in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat the leaves.
    5 ounces baby spinach leaves
    Pouring the dressing on the spinach leaves.
  • Arrange the coated spinach leaves on a serving platter. Scatter the red onions on top.
    ¼ cup red onion
    Adding sliced red onions to the salad.
  • Add the pecan halves and goat cheese crumbles, evenly spreading them on the spinach leaves.
    ½ cup pecans, ½ cup goat cheese
    Adding pecans to the salad.
  • Serve immediately.
    The salad is served.

Video

Notes

  • Seasonings, especially salt, are guidelines - adjust to taste.
  • The pretty presentation is a big part of this salad's appeal. That's why I coat the spinach in the dressing and arrange the other ingredients on top instead of just mixing everything in a bowl.
  • Pecans are delicious raw, but you can spread them on a rimmed, parchment-lined baking sheet and toast them in a 300°F oven for 15 minutes if you wish. 
  • Acceptable substitutions include walnuts instead of pecans and crumbled feta instead of goat cheese (but goat cheese is creamier and pecans are sweeter). 
  • Turn this salad into a complete meal by topping it with a protein. Good options include hard-boiled eggs, grilled chicken breast, grilled shrimp, grilled skirt steak, and baked salmon.
  • This salad should be enjoyed freshly prepared. The dressed spinach will wilt if stored. Please only make as much as you can finish right away. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 243mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g