This delicious harvest spinach salad with homemade honey mustard dressing is one of my all-time favorite salads. The ingredients are available (and fairly fresh) all year long, and the homemade dressing can easily be made well in advance. I almost always have some in the fridge!
Big salads (or “loaded salads” as I call them) are one of my favorite ways to eat more produce all year long. I love the flavor combination of sweet fruits, salty nuts, crunchy veggies, savory cheeses, and tangy dressings, all mixed together on a bed of crisp spinach or lettuce.
It feels like I’m enjoying a gourmet lunch when really, all I’m doing is emptying out the fridge and using up produce before it goes bad!
If you’re a fan of big “loaded salads” and enjoy interesting flavor combinations, you will love this crisp, sweet, savory, salty, crunchy harvest spinach salad… especially with the homemade honey mustard dressing!!
And did I mention how easy it is to whip together?
I timed myself last week, and I made the dressing in 35 seconds!!
Harvest Spinach Salad with Homemade Honey Mustard Dressing
This such a great “any-season salad”. It has strawberries and spinach for spring, cucumbers for summer, apples for fall, nuts for winter, and cheese for every season!
Ingredients
- 2 c. baby spinach
- 1/4 c. diced red onion (or to taste)
- 1/4 c. diced cucumbers
- 1/4 c. sliced strawberries
- 2 T. chopped pistachio nuts
- 2 T. crumbled Feta cheese
- 1/2 apple; diced (I like Pink Lady)
- FOR THE DRESSING
- 2 T. olive oil
- 2 T. apple cider vinegar
- 1 T. dijon mustard
- 1 T. honey
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- On a large plate or in a large bowl, layer spinach with salad toppings.
- In a small container, mix dressing ingredients and drizzle over salad.
- Eat and enjoy!
Notes
All measurements are approximate — please do not worry if you don’t get it “just right”.
Use more or less of anything, nix ingredients you don’t like, and add ones you have in the house.
It’s a salad, not rocket science!
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1/2 of recipeAmount Per Serving Calories 267Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 12mgSodium 347mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 4gSugar 12gProtein 5g
Nutritional information is approximate and does not account for additional ingredients or added toppings.
This recipe is perfect if you want a big salad for lunch or 2 smaller side salads for dinner. And of course, you can EASILY make a bigger batch if you’re bringing the salad to a party.
Just start with the spinach, layer it up with all sorts of fruits, veggies, and nuts, and whip up the dressing in a separate container to add just before serving.
This such a great “any-season salad”. It has strawberries and spinach for spring, cucumbers for summer, apples for fall, pecans for winter, and cheese for every season!
I’ve brought this salad to so many different parties and potlucks, and I never come home with any left. I’m usually asked “what was the dressing?” and people are always surprised when I say it’s just a homemade honey mustard dressing!
A Few More Of My Favorite “Big Salads”:
- Broccoli Bacon Salad with Homemade Coleslaw Dressing
- Make-Ahead Layered Salad with Creamy Dressing
- Loaded Kale Salad
- Grilled Corn, Tomato, Avocado Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
- Apple, Bacon, Pecan Salad with Apple Vinaigrette
- Traditional Greek Salad
- Italian Chopped Salad with Roasted Red Pepper Italian Dressing
- Fiesta Chicken Salad with Zesty Jalapeño Dressing
- Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad
Are you hungry yet?
Which recipe will you try first?
And what are YOUR favorite “stuff salad” ingredients?
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Trudy says
This came at a perfect time. Last week, I had the neighbors over for dinner….I had spinach, feta and strawberries….I ended up dressing it with ranch (the kids love it). They had never had strawberries in a salad. The mix of feta and strawberry was amazing…..but I’m sure the onion and nuts, even the apples will make it delicious….and I have a bag of spinach that needs to be used, so will give it a try
Andrea says
yay — love when that happens! Glad your spinach won’t go to waste!
Marva says
All your salads look so enticing! Thanks for great inspiration!
Jenny says
This is probably good and I might try a variation of it, but although I love any and all vegetables in a salad, I really don’t like fruits in there (fruit salad is OK, but the combo is weird to me). The dressing sounds great. Anyone have good advice for onion breath??
Andrea says
I don’t think the red/purple onions are nearly as strong as white (in terms of onion breath). I also brush my teach after every meal, so I guess I’ve never really worried about onion breath 🙂
As for the fruit on salads — you can Dave can stick together on this! He won’t eat fruit on salad either — however, if you like the dressing, you really should give it a try with apples… the combo is AMAZING!
Chris says
I want to try that. How do you pick out a good red onion? I enjoy them in restaurants but when I buy then at the store they always seem to be strong and bitter.
Andrea says
hmmmm… I honestly never even consider “what” onion to pick. I usually just buy them by the bags as we go through onions like CRAZY! I don’t recall ever buying a “bad” onion!
Sarah Sleider says
This looks tasty! You’ve motivated me to prep some salads. I start a new job next week and this will be great for lunch. I love using maple syrup in place of honey in a honey mustard dressing.
Andrea says
interesting… now I want to try switching maple syrup in for the honey. Next time!
Trina says
Life saver as always! My husband and I work until 5 or 6 and have an hour commute. Tonight we also have a wake to attend after work, so I was just struggling to figure out dinner. Inspiration! Can’t wait to try your dressing.
Andrea says
oh good — hope you love this salad!!