Spinach Salad with Apples, Feta Cheese and Pecans Recipe – Perfect Fall and Holiday Side Dish

This Spinach Salad with Apples, Feta Cheese, and Pecans is a fresh, flavorful side dish that brings together the best tastes of fall. Crisp apple slices add a touch of sweetness, while creamy feta and pecans provide the perfect balance of salty and nutty crunch. Tossed with tender baby spinach and a simple vinaigrette, this salad is both elegant and easy to make. It’s a beautiful addition to any holiday spread, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, and pairs wonderfully with roasted meats or vegetarian mains. Whether you’re hosting or bringing a dish to share, this seasonal salad is sure to impress.

Simple Everyday Ingredients, Big Flavor Payoff

One of the best things about this Spinach Salad with Apples, Feta Cheese, and Pecans is how it transforms simple, everyday ingredients into something truly special. With just a few grocery staples—fresh baby spinach, crisp apples, crumbled feta, and crunchy pecans—you get a vibrant mix of textures and bold flavors in every bite. A quick homemade vinaigrette (or save time with store bought) ties it all together with a tangy finish that elevates the whole dish. It’s proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to create something delicious and memorable. This salad is effortless to prepare, yet it tastes like something you’d find at a gourmet café.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy

Ready in under 15 minutes with no cooking required.

Versatile

Great as a side dish or topped with grilled chicken, steak or turkey for a complete meal.

Crowd-Pleasing

Ideal for holiday dinners, potlucks, or last-minute gatherings.

Beautiful Presentation

The color contrast of green spinach, red apples, white feta, and golden pecans makes it a showstopper.

Make It Your Own

Want to personalize the salad to suit your tastes or what’s already in your kitchen? Here are a few ideas:

• Use candied pecans, walnuts or sliced almonds for a variety of nut flavors
• Swap feta for goat cheese or blue cheese for a richer flavor.
• Add dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds for more fall flair.
• Mix in some sliced red onion or roasted squash for added complexity.

A Fresh Contrast to Hearty Holiday Meals

With so many rich and heavy dishes gracing the holiday table, this spinach salad offers a welcome contrast. It pairs beautifully with roasted turkey, glazed ham, pork tenderloin, and creamy yam casserole. This fresh salad also pairs well with other holiday favorite sides such as cornbread, mashed potatoes, maple and bacon Brussels sprouts and mac and cheese.

Perfect for Meal Prep or Potlucks

This salad travels well and holds up nicely if prepped ahead. Simply keep the dressing separate until just before serving to preserve the freshness of the spinach and apples. It’s a favorite at potlucks, Friendsgivings, and even weekday lunches.

Spinach Salad with Apples, Feta Cheese and Pecans Recipe

Ingredients List:

• Organic and pre-washed baby spinach leaves
• 1 gala, green or fuji apple finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries’
• 1/3 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup crumble feta cheese
• I used a favorite raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing

Salad Assembly Instructions:

• Toss all the spinach salad ingredients together in a large bowl, or serve them into individual serving bowls.
• Do not add the dressing until right before the dinning time. I personally prefer that guests add their own dressing, to avoid a soggy salad.

Final Thoughts

This Spinach Salad with Apples, Feta Cheese and Pecans is fall in a bowl—fresh, festive, and full of flavor. It’s the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again throughout the season. With its simple ingredients and elegant appeal, it’s sure to become a go-to for both everyday meals and special holiday celebrations.