Cranberry and Spinach Salad

This Cranberry and Spinach Salad in Honey Mustard Vinaigrette is full of crunchy walnuts, sweet cranberries and fresh spinach, tossed in a quick honey and Dijon mustard vinaigrette. It is the perfect way to get these colorful super-foods into your diet!

If you love fresh salads as much as I do, try Arugula and Spinach Salad and Brussels Sprout Cranberry Salad next.

Cranberry Walnut and Spinach Salad in Honey Mustard Vinaigrette can be eaten as a prelude to the main dish, or as a healthy lunch during the busy work week. Or, even as a light dinner! The homemade salad is super easy to make, the hardest part is making sure your walnuts and spinach are fresh! Everything else is super easy.

With just a few wholesome ingredients and a fast honey mustard vinaigrette, you'll have a satisfying, bright salad that fits everything from holiday feasts to healthy everyday eating. Adjust, experiment, and enjoy this evergreen recipe year-round!

Why Make Cranberry Spinach Salad?

• Tart vs. Sweet: The contrast of sweet, tart, crisp, and creamy keeps every bite exciting.
• Year-Round Appeal: Enjoy this salad for winter holidays or fresh summer picnics-it always fits.
• Quick and Easy: Minimal prep, no cooking required, and totally customizable.

Ingredient Breakdown: Why Each One Matters

• Baby spinach: Mild, tender, and full of nutrients-serves as the light, nutritious base for your salad.
• Dried cranberries: Sweet-tart fruitiness; adds chewy texture and color.
• Walnuts: Crunchy, toasty richness, plus plant-based protein and healthy fats.
• Honey mustard vinaigrette: A punchy, creamy blend of olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, red wine vinegar, garlic and onion powder, and salt. It ties all the salad flavors together and may be made in advance for extra convenience.
• Optional extras: Sliced apple or pear, feta or goat cheese, or a sprinkle of red onion for an elevated twist.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt until creamy and emulsified.How to make the dressing

If you prefer to go with less vinegar, start with 1 tablespoon, taste it and proceed to add more. Or add more oil.

2. Assemble the Salad

Place fresh baby spinach in a large bowl. Add chopped cranberries and broken walnut pieces.

3. Dress and Toss

Drizzle with the vinaigrette, then toss everything together until the spinach is evenly coated. Add any optional extras like sliced fruit or cheese for extra flavor and texture.

Cranberry Spinach Salad

This delicious Cranberry Walnut Spinach Salad in Honey Mustard Vinaigrette is loaded with fresh spinach, sweet dried cranberries and crunchy chopped walnuts.

4.82 from 11 votes

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Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: spinach salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Olya Shepard

Ingredients

• 5-7 oz bag/box baby spinach leaves (or 5 cups)
• ½ cup dried cranberries chopped
• ⅓ cup walnuts broken into pieces

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette

• 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ⅓ cup olive oil (or 5-6 tbsp)
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

• Arrange baby spinach leaves in the salad bowl (cut off ends if needed). Chop cranberries and add them to the bowl. Chop walnuts and add them to the bowl as well. Set aside
  
• Honey Mustard Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, first combine the vinegar and mustard, season with salt, garlic and onion powder. Now whisk in honey. Next slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking the ingredients together for about 1 minute. You will get thick creamy texture.
  
• Add cranberries and walnuts to the bowl with spinach. Drizzle in the Honey Mustard Vinaigrette from step 2 and mix well.

Calories: 301kcal

Nutrition Facts

Cranberry Spinach Salad

Amount per Serving

Calories

301

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

25

g

38

%

Saturated Fat

 

3

g

19

%

Sodium

 

260

mg

11

%

Potassium

 

251

mg

7

%

Carbohydrates

 

20

g

7

%

Fiber

 

2

g

8

%

Sugar

 

14

g

16

%

Protein

 

2

g

4

%

Vitamin A

 

3325

IU

67

%

Vitamin C

 

10

mg

12

%

Calcium

 

49

mg

5

%

Iron

 

1.5

mg

8

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Key Tips for Guaranteed Success

• Use fresh spinach: Wilted leaves will drag down the whole salad.
• Chop walnuts and cranberries: Smaller pieces distribute better throughout each bite.
• Balance the dressing: Taste before serving-add more honey for sweetness, mustard for tang, or vinegar for brightness.
• Dress right before serving: Prevents sogginess and keeps greens perky.

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Why is my spinach soggy?
Dress only as much salad as you'll eat immediately. Leftovers keep better if undressed.

Can I use another type of nut?
Absolutely! Pecans, almonds, or pumpkin seeds are great swaps for walnuts.

How do I make this dairy-free or vegan?
The salad base is naturally vegan; just ensure there's no honey in the vinaigrette, substituting pure maple syrup as needed.

Variations and Substitutions

• Fruit: Sliced apples, pears, or fresh orange segments add a juicy pop.
• Cheese: Crumbled feta or goat cheese turns this into an extra-savory option.
• Protein: Top this avocado salad with chia seed sprouts, or add pan-seared shrimp, pan seared chicken, or steak for more protein!.
• Seeds: Sunflower or pumpkin seeds make the salad nut-free but just as crunchy.

Serving Suggestions

• Holiday Table: A perfect, colorful side for Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter.
• Everyday Lunch: Pair with Zucchini Soup or a Easy Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes for a hearty meal.

Storage and Leftovers

Dressing: Store vinaigrette separately for up to one week; whisk before serving if separation occurs

Salad: Undressed spinach mix keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container.

More fresh salads to try

• Shredded Brussels Sprout Salad with Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
• Olive Garden Copycat Salad
• Honey Mustard Brussels Sprout Salad with Cranberries, Apples and Pecans
• Avocado Salad with Tomatoes
• Apple, Pecans and Brussels Sprouts Salad

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