Vibrant spinach salad with sweet cranberries and crunchy almonds
Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
0 min
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4
6 cups
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad
Vibrant spinach salad with sweet cranberries and crunchy almonds
★4.3(21)
A colorful spinach salad with dried cranberries, toasted almonds, feta cheese, and a sweet-tangy poppy seed dressing.
10m
Prep Time
0m
Cook Time
10m
Total Time
4
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
This cranberry almond spinach salad is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Sweet dried cranberries, crunchy toasted almonds, and tangy feta cheese sit on a bed of fresh baby spinach, all tied together with a honey-poppy seed dressing.
It is a crowd-pleaser that works for everything from a weeknight side to a holiday dinner table. The combination of sweet, salty, and crunchy makes it irresistible.
Ingredients
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds
Instructions
- 1
Place baby spinach in a large salad bowl.
- 2
Top with dried cranberries, toasted almonds, crumbled feta, and thinly sliced red onion.
- 3
Whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper.
- 4
Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- 5
Serve immediately on plates or as a shared side dish.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Serve as a light main course or alongside grilled protein
Best enjoyed fresh -- prepare the dressing separately if making ahead
Substitutions
Baby spinachMixed greens
Works but loses the classic pairing.
CranberriesDried cherries or golden raisins
Both add sweetness.
FetaGoat cheese or blue cheese
Different tangy notes.
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes for extra flavor.
Add sliced strawberries when they are in season for a fruity twist.
Mandarin oranges or diced apple make excellent additions.
Storage
Store undressed salad and dressing separately for up to 2 days. Dress just before serving.
Reheating
Salads are best enjoyed fresh and do not require reheating. If you have leftover dressed salad, it may be slightly wilted but still edible within a few hours.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (1.5 cups) · 4 servings
Calories200
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein12g
Carbohydrates18g
Fat12g
Fiber3g
Sugar6g
Sodium240mg
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use regular spinach?
- Yes, but remove the tough stems and tear the leaves into smaller pieces.
- What is poppy seed dressing?
- A sweet, tangy dressing made with honey, vinegar, and poppy seeds. It is classic with spinach salads.
Explore More
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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