Spinach Apple Salad

This spinach apple salad features crisp apples, tender greens, and maple-glazed walnuts in a tangy balsamic dressing. It’s simple and goes with many different meals!

Salads are a staple in our house. But Alex and I often fall into the trap of thinking the salad is the “easy” part and save it until the last minute. When it’s too late, we realize it has more prep work than we imagined! So when it comes to our favorite salads, they’re ultra simple.

Might I present: a go-to that will become your favorite, too: spinach apple salad! It’s got a tangy balsamic dressing and crunchy maple-glazed walnuts (or pecans). No one will believe it took only minutes to put together! It’s that good.

5 Star Reader Review

“I rarely give reviews online. However, I’m making an exception for this salad. It is one of the best salads I have ever had. It is my go to salad.” -Victoria

Why You’ll Love This Salad

There are so many boring spinach salads, and this one is anything but! It doesn’t have fancy ingredients or flavors, but it’s got seriously good flavor and you can make it in minutes.

It’s a plant based, healthy side dish that pairs with anything from pizza to mac and cheese to salmon to lasagna.

Ingredients in This Spinach Apple Salad Recipe

Here are the elements that make this simple salad:

Best balsamic dressing: This dressing is our go-to! It’s tangy and sweet, and we use it often in green salads with fruit, like strawberry salad or blackberry salad.
Maple-glazed walnuts or glazed pecans: These are Alex’s genius: just a few minutes in a hot skillet with maple syrup makes the nuts shiny and lightly sweet. Or, make Candied Pecans or Candied Walnuts if you have the time!
Apple and pear (optional): Instead of straight apple, I like to throw in a pear for depth of sweet flavor. It’s optional, but I love the mix of fruity flavors.
Spinach and baby greens: A salad of straight up spinach can be overwhelming. I like to pair our spinach with mixed baby greens for a variety of textures and flavors. (Got some left over? Here are my favorite spinach recipes.)

Variations and Ways to Customize

Of course, there are endless ways to customize this spinach apple salad! You can use whatever ingredients you love and have on hand. Pro tip: We added cubed Manchego cheese and served it at a party, and it was a huge hit. Here are some other options to consider:

Dressing: Try our Honey Mustard Dressing or Lemon Vinaigrette
Nuts: Use pecans or almonds instead: they’d work the same way in the maple glaze
Fruit: Lose the pear and use a green apple variety with the red apple, like Granny Smith and Honey Crisp
Other Adders: Add feta or goat cheese crumbled, sliced shallot, pomegranate seeds, pepitas, or sunflower seeds.

Make Ahead Tips

Here are a few notes on how to prep this spinach apple salad ahead of time, if you’re making it ahead or for entertaining:

Make the dressing in advance and store it refrigerated. Make sure to let it come to room temperature before serving.
Make the maple-glazed walnuts in advance. Place them on parchment or wax paper in a single layer and allow to dry for 20 minutes. Transfer to a sealed container and store room temperature until serving.
Wait to slice the apples and pears until right before serving, because cut fruit can brown. If you do want to cut it in advance, mix the slices with a little lemon juice to prevent browning.

What to Serve With Spinach Apple Salad

It’s easy to whip up, but this spinach apple salad is a real showstopper. Serve it alongside your favorite pasta or stuffed peppers. It’d also pair nicely with chicken thighs, baked salmon, or even homemade pizza.

This spinach apple salad is especially good in the cooler months, as it features lots of fall produce. But works any time of the year! Whatever way you serve it, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it.

Dietary Notes

This spinach apple salad recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What dressing goes with spinach apple salad?

Balsamic vinaigrette is my favorite because its acidity balances the apples nicely. But many different vinaigrettes work: I like my honey mustard dressing, apple cider vinegar dressing, and lemon vinaigrette. Avoid heavy creamy dressings here.

What fruits pair well with spinach?

Apples and pears go well together. Strawberries, blackberries, grapes, pomegranate seeds are great: see my strawberry salad and blackberry salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

Can I use baby kale or arugula instead of spinach?

Yes! These would be great picks for this salad.

How do I keep the apples from browning?

Slice them right before serving, or toss the slices with a teaspoon of lemon juice.

Can I make this a main course?

Add cannellini beans or grilled chicken and some cooked farro.