Best 6 Spinach Salad With Cranberries Pecans Bacon And Blue Cheese Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, Bacon, and Blue Cheese. This vibrant salad is a delightful blend of textures and tastes that will tantalize your palate. Fresh baby spinach forms the base, providing a bed of crisp greens. Sweet dried cranberries add a burst of tartness, while crunchy pecans lend a nutty flavor. Crispy bacon bits add a savory touch, and crumbled blue cheese brings a sharp, tangy note. A homemade honey mustard dressing ties all the elements together, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. Alongside the main recipe, you'll also find variations to suit your preferences, including a vegetarian option that omits the bacon and a tangy poppy seed dressing for a lighter touch. Explore the culinary possibilities and find your perfect spinach salad combination.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

SPINACH SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES, PECANS, BACON, AND BLUE CHEESE



Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, Bacon, and Blue Cheese image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Time 25m

Yield 3 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound hickory smoked bacon slices, roughly chopped
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
Two 6-ounce containers baby spinach
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup Danish blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Fry chopped bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined 1/4-sheet tray to drain.
  • Toast pecans in the oven on a 1/4-sheet tray until lightly golden and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl mash the blue cheese with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk, sour cream, sugar, salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Combine baby spinach, red onion, pecans, dried cranberries and bacon in large bowl. Toss with the dressing immediately before serving.

SPINACH AND BLUE CHEESE SALAD WITH SLICED APPLES AND SPICED CARAMELIZED PECANS



Spinach and Blue Cheese Salad with Sliced Apples and Spiced Caramelized Pecans image

Provided by Food Network

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 apple, chilled
1 small lemon, juiced
8 ounces spinach, washed, thoroughly dried, and stemmed
1 small head (about 3 ounces) radicchio, cut into chiffonade
5 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper
1/2 cup Spago House Dressing, recipe follows
1 1/2 cups Spiced Caramelized Pecans, recipe follows
2 large shallots, minced (1 heaping tablespoon)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons zinfandel vinegar
2 tablespoons sherry wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Salt and freshly ground white pepper
3 cups peanut oil
2 cups pecan halves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup sifted confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Cut the apple into quarters, remove the stem and the seeds, and cut into very thin slices. Sprinkle lemon juice over the slices and set aside.
  • When ready to serve, in a salad bowl, combine the apple, spinach, radicchio, and blue cheese. Season lightly with salt and pepper and toss with the dressing. Adjust seasoning, to taste.
  • To serve, divide the salad among 4 plates and sprinkle the pecans around each salad.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the shallots and the mustard. Whisk in the vinegars, and then the olive and vegetable oils. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer to a covered container and refrigerate until needed.
  • Yield: 1 1/4 cups
  • Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, "Adventures in the Kitchen", Random House, 1991
  • In a deep-fryer or a deep pot, heat the oil to 350 degrees F. (A deep-frying thermometer can be clipped to the side of the pan so that you can tell when the proper temperature has been reached).
  • Meanwhile, in a large saucepan bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add the pecans and boil for 2 minutes. Drain in a large strainer, shaking off all excess water. Sprinkle the salt and cayenne pepper over the nuts and then coat with the confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, allowing the sugar to melt into the pecans. Toss the nuts by shaking the strainer, adding a little more sugar each time, until all the sugar is used and all the nuts are coated. Do not use hands or a spoon to toss. The nuts should have a glaze of sugar.
  • Carefully add the nuts to the heated oil, keeping the oil at 350 degrees F. Cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon to a baking tray to cool.
  • Yield: 2 cups
  • Recipe courtesy Wolfgang Puck, "Pizza, Pasta & More!," Random House, 2000

SPINACH AND ENDIVE SALAD WITH PECANS AND BLUE CHEESE



Spinach and Endive Salad with Pecans and Blue Cheese image

Categories     Cheese     Dairy     Fruit     Leafy Green     Onion     Vegetable     Side     Blue Cheese     Pecan     Spinach     Endive     Gourmet     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot (1 small)
2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 Belgian endives
10 oz baby spinach
1 cup pecans (3 1/2 oz), chopped and toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup crumbled Danish blue cheese

Steps:

  • Whisk together oil, shallot, vinegar, syrup, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
  • Thinly slice endives on a long diagonal, then toss with spinach and dressing in bowl.
  • Sprinkle salad with pecans, cranberries, and blue cheese.

PECAN SPINACH SALAD



Pecan Spinach Salad image

My family thinks this refreshing salad is sensational. Coated with a pleasant vinaigrette and topped with toasted pecans and blue cheese, it has an impressive look and taste. Though it can be prepared in 10 minutes or less, don't tell my family because they'd never believe it!

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/3 cup real bacon bits
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
DRESSING:
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, pecans, bacon and blue cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 339 calories, Fat 33g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 582mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

CRANBERRY PECAN SPINACH SALAD



Cranberry Pecan Spinach Salad image

I came across this recipe one year when I was looking for a special salad for the holidays. -Deb Murata, Carmichael, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 cups packed torn fresh spinach
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 medium red onion, sliced and separated into rings
1/2 cup pecan pieces, toasted
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/4 cup olive oil
2 to 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the spinach, cranberries, onion, pecans and blue cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper until blended. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 155 calories, Fat 13g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 61mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

SPINACH SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES, PECANS, BACON, AND BLUE CHEESE



Spinach Salad With Cranberries, Pecans, Bacon, and Blue Cheese image

Make and share this Spinach Salad With Cranberries, Pecans, Bacon, and Blue Cheese recipe from Food.com.

Provided by cookiedog

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 25m

Yield 3-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 lb hickory smoked bacon, slices roughly chopped
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
2 (6 ounce) containers Baby Spinach
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup danish blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon sugar
salt
freshly cracked black pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Fry chopped bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined 1/4-sheet tray to drain.
  • Toast pecans in the oven on a 1/4-sheet tray until lightly golden and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
  • In a medium bowl mash the blue cheese with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk, sour cream, sugar, salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Combine baby spinach, red onion, pecans, dried cranberries and bacon in large bowl. Toss with the dressing immediately before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 647.6, Fat 58.3, SaturatedFat 19.4, Cholesterol 77.6, Sodium 1066.5, Carbohydrate 14.9, Fiber 5.9, Sugar 4.5, Protein 20

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh spinach leaves. If using pre-washed spinach, be sure to dry it thoroughly before assembling the salad.
  • To save time, you can use store-bought bacon bits. However, if you have the time, cooking your own bacon is worth the effort. It will add a delicious smoky flavor to the salad.
  • If you don't have any blue cheese on hand, you can substitute another type of cheese, such as feta or goat cheese.
  • This salad is also delicious with grilled chicken or shrimp.

Conclusion:

Spinach salad with cranberries, pecans, bacon, and blue cheese is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that is perfect for any occasion. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.

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