Apple Spinach Salad with Feta, Pistachios, and Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing
A bright, fresh apple spinach salad with feta, pistachios, and a tangy honey-mustard lemon dressing. It’s quick, flavorful, and full of texture—perfect as a side or light main dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 main dish servings or 4 side servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 large crisp apple (e.g., Honeycrisp or Fuji), thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup shelled pistachios (roasted or raw)
- Optional: 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- Optional: 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the baby spinach, sliced apple, crumbled feta, and pistachios. Add red onion and dried cranberries if using.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately while the apples are crisp and the spinach is fresh.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it a complete meal.
- Substitute arugula for a peppery flavor twist.
- Dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds add sweetness and color.
- Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt to the dressing for a creamy variation.
- To prep ahead, store the dressing and salad separately until serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 side serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
