Creating this Apple Walnut Spinach Salad is incredibly simple and quick, making it ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute gatherings. Follow these easy steps to assemble your own delicious and refreshing salad.

Step 1: Prepare the Spinach

Begin by thoroughly washing your fresh spinach. Even if it’s pre-washed, it’s always a good idea to give it a rinse to remove any lingering grit or dirt. Pat the spinach dry using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towels. Excess moisture can dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy. If using larger spinach leaves, you may want to roughly chop them for easier eating. Baby spinach is usually tender enough to use whole. Place the prepared spinach in a large salad bowl.

Step 2: Prep the Apples

Wash your apples thoroughly. You can peel them if you prefer, but leaving the skin on adds extra fiber, nutrients, and a beautiful color contrast to the salad. Core the apples and then cut them into thin slices or small cubes. To prevent the apples from browning, especially if you’re preparing the salad ahead of time, you can toss them with a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of apple cider vinegar. This will help maintain their vibrant color and crispness. Add the sliced or cubed apples to the salad bowl with the spinach.

Step 3: Toast the Walnuts (Optional but Recommended)

Toasting walnuts enhances their nutty flavor and adds a delightful crunch. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and lightly browned. Alternatively, you can spread them on a baking sheet and toast them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes. Watch them closely to prevent burning. Let the toasted walnuts cool slightly before adding them to the salad. This will help them retain their crunch.

Step 4: Prepare the Red Onion (If Using)

If you’re using red onion, peel it and thinly slice it. For a milder onion flavor, you can soak the sliced red onion in cold water for about 10 minutes. This helps to reduce its sharpness. Drain the red onion thoroughly before adding it to the salad. If you prefer a very mild onion flavor, you can skip this ingredient altogether or substitute it with thinly sliced shallots or green onions.

Step 5: Crumble the Feta Cheese (Optional)

If you are using feta cheese, crumble it into small pieces. You can use your fingers or a fork to crumble it. Set the crumbled feta aside to add to the salad just before serving. If you are using dried cranberries, measure them out and set them aside as well.

Step 6: Make the Apple Cider Vinaigrette

In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well emulsified and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. You might want to add a little more honey for sweetness, vinegar for tanginess, or salt and pepper to taste. If you are using a jar, you can simply close the lid tightly and shake the jar vigorously to emulsify the dressing.

Step 7: Assemble the Salad

Just before serving, drizzle the apple cider vinaigrette over the spinach and apples in the salad bowl. Start with a smaller amount of dressing and add more to your liking, being careful not to oversaturate the salad. Gently toss the salad to ensure that the spinach and apples are evenly coated with the dressing. Add the toasted walnuts, crumbled feta cheese (if using), dried cranberries (if using), and sliced red onion (if using). Toss lightly again to combine all the ingredients.

Step 8: Serve Immediately

For the best flavor and texture, serve the Apple Walnut Spinach Salad immediately after assembling. This will ensure that the spinach is crisp, the apples are crunchy, and the walnuts retain their toasted crunch. If you need to prepare the salad ahead of time, you can prepare all the components separately (spinach, apples, walnuts, dressing) and assemble them just before serving. This will prevent the salad from becoming soggy.