Easy Fresh Salad for Holiday Dinners or Any Special Meal

This apple spinach salad with pecans is one of the most delicious salads I’ve ever made. It has a delightful balance of sweet and savory, making it the perfect side dish. As I was growing up, both sets of my grandparents had pecan trees in their yards, so we found all kinds of ways to use them.

Then after my dad retired from the U.S. Air Force, my parents purchased a house that had some pecan trees in the backyard. That’s when I started adding them to salads. And I discovered that they pair well with almost any vegetable and fruit … especially apples!

Since I no longer have access to fresh pecans from the backyard, I have to buy them. Fortunately, they’re available year round at most of my favorite stores, like Publix, Walmart, Aldi, Costco, and Sam’s Club.

I like to make this salad for special occasions, but it’s also good when you want to add a little extra flavor to any family dinner like any of these easy smoked sausage dinners or popular hamburger casseroles. It’s delicious with lots of crunch and contrasting colors that add so much to the meal!

Ingredients for Apple Spinach Salad

The ingredients list is surprisingly simple. Here’s what you need:

• Apple slices
• Raw spinach
• Pecans
• Raisins
• Raspberry vinaigrette
• Bleu (or blue) cheese crumbles

I used raw pecans this time. However, if you have time to make these roasted pecans, use those. You’ll undoubtedly add an extra layer of flavor.

Or if you want to add even more sweetness, use these candied pecans. This is your salad, so make it the way you want it.

Step-by-Step Directions

This salad is super easy. In fact, you basically just assemble the ingredients. That is, unless you prefer to roast or cook the pecans.

Since there are only two of us in the house, I just made two salads. However, it’s just as easy to make more. So all you have to do is multiply the recipe by however many people you’re serving.

Divide the spinach between the two bowls (or however many salads you’re making). I like to tear the spinach leaves to make them easier to eat.

Next, add a layer of the bite-size apple pieces. Spread them around so you can get some apple in every bite.

I like to use an apple cutter that slices and cores an apple in one swift motion. It’s super easy and saves time.

After I have the first slice, I can chop the apple into bite-size pieces or leave them as-is.

After that, pour the salad dressing over the spinach and apple pieces. I used raspberry vinaigrette, but you can also use balsamic vinaigrette.

Sprinkle the pecans over the top. If you want to add more dressing you may, but I didn’t.

Next, sprinkle the raisins over the salad. You can use as many as you like. But since there were pieces of apple in the salad, I went light on the raisins.

Finally, sprinkle the bleu cheese (or blue cheese) crumbles over the top. Now your salad is ready to eat!

More Salads and Side Dishes

Most meals aren’t complete without at least one salad or side dish … or both. This yummy salad makes any meal special. My husband says that the apple spinach salad ties with this yummy tomato cucumber salad and this super delicious BLT salad on his list of favorites. I also happen to know he likes the Mediterranean salad just as much because he keeps asking for it. One of my favorites is this Greek olive and feta salad.

Easy and Delicious Apple Spinach Salad

Next time you need a side dish to go with any dinner, try this apple spinach salad. It’s easy, but it carries a powerful punch of flavor and mealtime satisfaction!

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