Apple Citrus Spinach Salad with Blood Orange Dressing
User Reviews
5
Apple Citrus Spinach Salad with Blood Orange Dressing
Description
The salad features fresh baby spinach paired with thin slices of blood orange and cara cara oranges, chopped apples, pecans, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta. The dressing combines freshly squeezed blood orange and lemon juices with garlic, mustard, honey, and avocado oil for a vibrant citrus flavor that brightens the greens. Lightly massaging the dressing into the spinach helps the flavors meld while preserving crispness. The combination delivers sweetness from the fruit, saltiness from the feta, and crunch from pecans.
This salad works well as a stand-alone light meal or alongside grilled meats or sandwiches, with its balance of sweet, tart, creamy, and savory elements. Using candied pecans can add extra sweetness and texture.
The blood orange dressing can be made ahead and stored chilled, requiring a good shake before serving. Pecans can be substituted with walnuts if desired. The recipe yields enough for two large salads or four side servings.
Ingredients
- 5 oz spinach fresh baby
- 1-2 orange I used blood orange and cara cara
- 1 apple (chopped)
- 1/4-1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled
- ¼ cup pecans (candied, toasted, or regular)
- 2-4 TBSP dried cranberries
BLOOD ORANGE DRESSING
- ¼ cup blood orange 1 orange, freshly squeezed juice
- ¼ tsp orange zest
- 2 TBSP lemon juice 1 lemon, fresh
- ⅓ cup avocado oil
- 1 clove garlic approx. 1 tsp, smashed and minced
- 1 TBSP Dijon mustard
- 1 TBSP honey
- ½ tsp salt fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- First, let's make our dressing! Grab a blood orange and zest about 1/4 tsp from the rind. Roll the orange on the counter to help release the juice then slice in half and juice. (I use a citrus reamer to get every last drop)
- Combine blood orange juice (we're looking for 1/4 cup of juice here) with the remaining ingredients in a mason jar and shake well. For a completely smooth dressing, I used an immersion blender. You can follow suit with a blender/processor of your choice or leave the garlic as is - both ways work great!
- Wash and dry your spinach and add to a large bowl. Give your dressing another shake and massage a few spoonfuls into the spinach leaves to coat them.
- Top spinach with slices of fresh oranges (I used a combination of cara cara and blood orange) as well as chopped apple, feta, pecans and dried cranberries. Drizzle extra dressing to taste and dive in!
Notes
- The blood orange dressing keeps well in the refrigerator; shake well before using.
- Walnuts may be used instead of pecans to vary the texture and flavor.
- Candied nuts can add an extra layer of sweetness and crunch if preferred.
- This recipe yields 2 large salads or 4 side salads, adjusting ingredient quantities accordingly.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 327 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 327kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 25g | 38% |
| Saturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 8mg | 3% |
| Sodium | 467mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 362mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 19g | 38% |
| Vitamin A | 3492IU | 70% |
| Vitamin C | 40mg | 44% |
| Calcium | 101mg | 10% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
