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Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad
4.9 from 108 votes

Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad

The Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad combines fresh baby spinach with toasted sliced almonds and dried cranberries, dressed in a sesame seed dressing made from a blend of vinegars, sugar, olive oil, honey, shallot, sesame seeds, and optional poppy seeds. This salad offers a balance of textures and flavors, with crunchy nuts, chewy cranberries, and fresh greens complemented by a sweet and tangy dressing.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Total Time
18 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Salad
  • 16 oz baby spinach
  • 1 cup almonds toasted, sliced
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
Sesame Seed Dressing
  • 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 3 Tbsp white sugar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp honey
  • 1 Tbsp shallot finely minced
  • 2 Tbsp sesame seeds , toasted
  • 1 Tbsp poppy seeds (optional)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. For the dressing: In a bowl or jar whisk together white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar and sugar until the sugar has dissolved. 
  2. Stir in olive oil, honey, shallot, sesame seeds and optional poppy seeds until mixture is well blended.
  3. For the salad: Add spinach, almonds and cranberries to a salad bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss. Serve immediately after adding dressing.

Notes

  • Toasting almonds and sesame seeds enhances their flavor and adds a crispy texture to the salad.
  • Add the dressing just before serving to keep spinach leaves fresh and prevent wilting.
  • Optional poppy seeds can be used to add mild crunch and visual appeal.