Best 2 Nutty Spinach Salad Recipes

Indulge in a symphony of flavors and textures with our Nutty Spinach Salad, an explosion of freshness and nutrition. This salad is not just a side dish; it's a culinary masterpiece ready to steal the show. We've curated three variations of this delightful salad to cater to your unique preferences. Our classic Nutty Spinach Salad recipe delivers a perfect balance of crunchy walnuts, tangy cranberries, and creamy goat cheese. For a vegetarian twist, try our Nutty Spinach Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, where the sweetness of roasted butternut squash harmonizes with the earthy spinach and nutty crunch. And for a burst of Mediterranean flavors, our Nutty Spinach Salad with Feta and Kalamata Olives will transport you to the sun-kissed shores of Greece. Each salad is a journey of flavors, textures, and colors, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

NUTTY SPINACH SALAD

Nutty Spinach Salad image

A fellow parent on my daughters' softball team brought this salad to a team picnic - the girls, all in their mid-teens, loved it. If I take it somewhere I make it ahead by mixing the dressing ingredients in a jar, and keeping the noodles separate in a plastic bag, which allows me to toss all the ingredients right before serving and keeps the salad from getting soggy.

Provided by MommaFay

Categories < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package coleslaw mix
1 (12 -16 ounce) package spinach
8 scallions, thinly sliced
2 (3 ounce) packages ramen noodles (do not use flavor pack)
8 tablespoons slivered almonds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 teaspoon margarine
3/4 cup salad oil
1 teaspoon Accent seasoning
2 teaspoons Mrs. Dash table blend seasoning
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons sugar
6 tablespoons rice vinegar

Steps:

Mix spinach, coleslaw and scallions. Set aside.
Saute the almonds in the margarine - when almost brownd, add sesame seeds until brown. When cool, add to spinach mixture.
Refrigerate spinach mixture until ready to serve.
Mix together salad oil, Accent, Mrs. Dash, pepper, sugar and rice vinegar. Refrigerate.
At time of serving, crush the 2 packages of Ramen noodles and add to spinach mixture. Pour salad dressing over spinach mixture, mix and serve.

NUTTY PEAR SPINACH SALAD

Nutty Pear Spinach Salad image

Pear slices and some dried cherries, crunchy pecans, spinach and blue cheese combine to make this special savory salad from Laurie LaClair of North Richland Hills, Texas. "This elegant and impressive salad draws oohs and aahs every time I serve it," she notes. "Guests always think I've fussed, so I keep it my little secret that I can prepare this salad in 15 minutes!"

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

6 cups fresh baby spinach
1 large pear, thinly sliced
2/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans, toasted
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1-1/2 teaspoons stone-ground mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup olive oil

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, pear, pecans, cherries and blue cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, soy sauce, honey, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in oil. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 554 calories, Fat 47g fat (8g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 690mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 8g protein.

Tips:

Fresh ingredients make the best salads, so look for crisp, vibrant spinach and fresh walnuts.
If you don't have balsamic vinegar, you can substitute another type of vinegar, such as red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
Honey or maple syrup can be used to sweeten the dressing, depending on your preference.
Adding a pinch of salt and pepper to the dressing will help to balance out the flavors.
If you like a bit of a kick, you can add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the dressing.
For a heartier salad, add some cooked quinoa, lentils, or beans.
Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for a creamy touch.
Serve the salad immediately after dressing it, as the spinach will wilt if it sits for too long.

Conclusion:

This nutty spinach salad is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy your greens. It's packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as fiber and protein. The dressing is light and flavorful, and the walnuts add a nice crunchy texture. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, or as a side dish.