Spinach Goat Cheese Salad (Printable)

Tender spinach, creamy goat cheese, tart cranberries, and crunchy candied pecans dressed in tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 5 oz baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, crumbled
03 - ½ cup dried cranberries
04 - ¾ cup candied pecans, roughly chopped

→ Balsamic Vinaigrette

05 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
07 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
08 - 1 teaspoon honey
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
02 - In a large salad bowl, add the spinach leaves. Drizzle with half of the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat.
03 - Add the crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries, and candied pecans to the salad.
04 - Drizzle over the remaining vinaigrette and toss lightly to combine.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra pecans or cranberries if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in the time it takes to set the table, but tastes like you fussed over every detail.
  • The balance of creamy, sweet, tangy, and crunchy hits every craving at once without feeling heavy.
  • You can prep the components ahead and toss everything together right before serving, making it perfect for entertaining or meal prep.
  • It works as a light lunch on its own or dresses up any dinner as an elegant starter.
02 -
  • Dress the salad just before serving or the spinach will wilt and lose its fresh, crisp texture within minutes.
  • If your vinaigrette separates while sitting, just give it a quick whisk again before drizzling it over the salad.
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the honey or vinegar to your preference, since balsamics can vary in sweetness.
03 -
  • Make your own candied pecans by tossing them in a pan with a little butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt until they're glossy and fragrant.
  • If your goat cheese is too soft to crumble, pop it in the freezer for ten minutes to firm it up before breaking it apart.
  • Use a salad spinner to dry your spinach thoroughly after washing, because any lingering water will dilute the dressing and make everything taste bland.
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