Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad
This Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad combines tender baby spinach, creamy goat cheese, toasted walnuts, dried cranberries, and a homemade balsamic dressing for a fresh and flavorful salad perfect for lunch, dinner, or holiday gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 4 oz goat cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until fragrant.
- Allow the walnuts to cool completely.
- Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
- Add spinach to a large serving bowl.
- Add red onion, dried cranberries, and toasted walnuts.
- Crumble goat cheese evenly over the salad.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad right before serving.
- Toss gently and serve immediately.
Notes
Chill the goat cheese before crumbling for cleaner pieces. Add grilled chicken for extra protein or fresh strawberries for seasonal sweetness. Store dressing separately and toss just before serving to keep the spinach fresh and crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 10mg