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This Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Candied Walnuts is the perfect holiday side dish or easy meal with the addition of chicken.   It gets topped with blue cheese crumbles and a homemade, Creamy Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing

Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Candied Walnuts

This Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Candied Walnuts is the perfect holiday side dish or easy meal with the addition of chicken.   It gets topped with blue cheese crumbles and a homemade, Creamy Apple Cider Vinaigrette dressing.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 6
Author Holly

Ingredients

  • 1 6 oz. bag of baby spinach
  • 1 whole Granny Smith Apple; thinly sliced
  • 1/2 c. dried cranberries
  • 1/2 c. candied or roasted walnuts
  • 1/4 c. blue cheese crumbles

Creamy Apple Cider Vinaigrette Dressing:

  • 1/3 c. olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp. plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 c. honey

Candied Walnuts

  • 1 c. walnuts
  • 1/2 c. brown sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. water

Instructions

  1. If using Candied Walnuts, heat a small skillet on medium-high eat.  Add the walnuts and periodically stir for around 3 minutes until fragrant.  

  2. Transfer the nuts to a plate.  Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, water, and salt to the same skillet.  Stir until brown sugar is dissolved and add the vanilla.  Add the walnuts and stir until coated; remove from the heat.  

  3. Transfer walnuts to parchment paper in a single layer.

  4. Prepare the salad dressing:  add all ingredients for the salad dressing to a container with a covered lid; shake until combined.

  5. In a large bowl, layer the baby spinach, apple slices, walnuts, blue cheese and cranberries.  

  6. Drizzle with the salad dressing and lightly toss before serving.