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4.9 from 213 votes

Easy Spinach Salad

This easy spinach salad is topped with dried cranberries, goat cheese, toasted walnuts and avocado all tossed in a creamy balsamic dressing. It's perfect as a side salad or topped with protein for a full meal.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 448 kcal
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 10 oz baby spinach
  • 1 cup sliced mini cucumbers
  • ⅔ cup crumbled goat cheese
  • ½ cup sliced red onions
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup raw walnuts
  • 1 avocado sliced
  • Fresh cracked pepper for serving
Creamy Balsamic Dressing
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup full fat Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Add walnuts to a small skillet over medium heat to toast. Let cook, tossing frequently for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and starting to brown. Remove from pan and let cool.
  2. Prepare dressing by whisking together all ingredients in a small bowl until fully combined and creamy. You can also blend everything together in a blender or with an immersion blender. 
  3. Prepare salad by adding spinach to a large bowl, top with cucumbers, goat cheese, onions, cranberries, toasted walnuts and sliced avocado. Top with fresh cracked pepper. 
  4. Drizzle dressing over salad, toss and serve. Once tossed in the dressing the salad doesn’t look as pretty so another option is to plate the salad and serve with dressing on the side so everyone can add their own dressing.

Notes

  • candied walnuts
  • candied pecans
  • balsamic vinaigrette
  • lemon vinaigrette
  • white balsamic vinaigrette
  • salad dressings
  • Veggies: Don’t have cucumber or onion on hand? Feel free to use other veggies instead. Tomatoes, bell peppers or mushrooms are all great options.
  • Goat cheese: I love the creaminess goat cheese adds, but if you’re not a fan you can substitute it with feta, blue cheese, or your favorite variety of cheese.
  • Dried cranberries: Use dried cherries, raisins, dates or chopped dried apricots.
  • Walnuts: Don’t have walnuts on hand? Swap it with toasted pecans or almonds. For a sweeter option use candied walnuts or candied pecans instead.
  • Dressing: You can totally substitute this with a classic balsamic vinaigrette, simple lemon vinaigrette or white balsamic vinaigrette. Check out more of my salad dressings for more ideas.
  • Make it dairy-free: Skip the cheese or use a vegan cheese instead.
  • Make it nut-free: Skip the walnuts or use sunflower seeds or pepitas instead.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/4 of recipe Calories 448kcal (22%) Carbohydrates 28g (9%) Protein 10g (20%) Fat 34g (52%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 15g Cholesterol 12mg (4%) Sodium 485mg (20%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 16g (32%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 448

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/4 of recipe
Calories 448kcal 22%
Carbohydrates 28g 9%
Protein 10g 20%
Fat 34g 52%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 15g 88%
Cholesterol 12mg 4%
Sodium 485mg 20%
Fiber 6g 24%
Sugar 16g 32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.