Spinach Salad is an easy meal absolutely full of flavor! Fresh spinach leaves are tossed with crisp bacon, fresh mushrooms, parmesan cheese and toasted almonds to create this delicious salad. To finish it off it is topped with a tangy warm bacon dressing!
Serve this simple salad as is or top with sliced Chicken Breasts for the perfect meal.
Whether you are looking for a lighter meal or simply want a break from the same old salad routine, this spinach salad with bacon recipe does the trick! It’s easy to put together, with so many endless variations! We’ve kept this salad recipe basic enough to master, but with endless opportunity to make it your own!
What to Put in a Spinach Salad
Aside from the spinach, lots of spinach salad recipes can have sliced, hard-boiled eggs, any kind of cheese, or even sliced or dried berries like cranberries or strawberries. Even thinly sliced pears would work in this recipe.
The real star here is the warm spinach salad dressing! It is the key to balancing the salty flavor of the bacon with the tender taste of spinach and the crunch of the almonds. Or try Strawberry Salad Dressing for a different taste! Add the rest of the ingredients and you’re ready to serve!
How to Make Spinach Salad
Making a spinach salad starts with a base of crisp, freshly washed spinach! From there add in the toppings and cover with the perfectly balanced dressing!
- Cook the bacon pieces until they’re crisp. Remove the bacon and continue to cook the drippings on low.
- Add the minced shallot (or diced red onion, if you prefer) and cook until tender. Toss in the sliced garlic clove and cook another minute.
- Combine with the remaining dressing ingredients and simmer one minute. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until everything is incorporated and smooth.
Now pour the dressing over the spinach leaves and toss gently, making sure each leaf is lightly coated. Top with the sliced mushrooms, onion, toasted almonds and fresh parmesan cheese and serve immediately.
To toast almonds: Saute in a pan over medium heat until they just start to get fragrant then cool on a paper towel. Toasting nuts burns off the oil and keeps them crunchy. Be sure they are completely cooled before adding to your recipe!
What to Eat with Spinach Salad
A nice crusty loaf of garlic bread and a glass of crisp white wine are all you need to round out this elegant salad. But a small grilled chicken breast or baked portion of fish helps make this a heartier entrée!
More Spinach Recipes
- Fruit & Nut Spinach Salad Recipe – made with 4 different juicy berries!
- Creamed Spinach – steamed spinach covered in a creamy sauce.
- Spinach Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing – Classic spinach salad.
- Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast – wrapped in smoky bacon.
- Strawberry Spinach Salad – ready in 10 minutes!
- Spinach Gratin – creamy & cheesy
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 bunches fresh spinach washed
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 ½ cups sliced mushrooms
- ½ small red onion sliced
- ½ cup slivered almonds toasted
- 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese optional
Dressing
- bacon drippings
- 2 tablespoons minced shallot or onion
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and dry spinach. Place in a large bowl and set aside.
- Cook bacon until crisp. Remove from pan and set aside reserving drippings.
- Turn bacon drippings down to low and add shallot. Cook 2-3 minutes or until tender. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and sugar. Simmer 1 minute. Whisk in olive oil until the dressing is smooth.
- Pour warm dressing over spinach and toss. Top with remaining ingredients and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Salad
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Excellent recipe. A definite favorite.
Thanks, Lisa! I am glad you enjoyed it.
This was absolutely delicious. I made this for my Dad tonight for dinner and he devoured it. That warm bacon dripping dressing is genius. We will be returning to this recipe again and again. Thank you so much for sharing!
I am so happy to hear this recipe was a hit Kristine!
Can you substitute the mustard for something if the person doesn’t like mustard
I have only tried this as written so I can’t say for sure as mustard adds flavor and is an emulsifier (helps keep the dressing from separating). Let us know how it works out for you if you try it.
Do you have any idea how many ounces two bunches of spinach would be?
Thanks!
Hi Julia, there are roughly 8 ounces of spinach in a bunch. So this recipe would need approximately 16 ounces of spinach.
This was easy and came together quick – absolutely delish – a winner!!!
I added diced red bell peppers for color. Even though the photo shows hard boiled eggs, they are not in the ingredient list or instructions. Maybe this was an oversight. They add protein and make a good garnish. My mother used to make this, I assumed it was a Pennsylvania Dutch recipe.
So glad you love this salad Gay! The eggs are included in the notes area of the recipe as an optional addition to the salad. We love it with eggs!
I added diced red bell peppers for color. Even though the photo shows hard boiled eggs, they are not in the ingredient list or instructions. Maybe this was an oversite. They add protein and make a good garnish. My mother used to make this, I assumed it was a Pennsylvania Dutch recipe.
I see sliced hard boiled eggs in the picture, but see no mention of the eggs in the recipe??
Eggs are included in the notes of the recipe as an optional item. We love adding eggs to spinach salad! Enjoy the salad Ran!
I am going to make the warm spinach dressing salad tonight for company. Could I made the dressing ahead and warm it before serving?
We have only made it when serving but I am sure that would work Jane. Enjoy!
This was EXCELLENT. I highly recommend it. The dressing was so good that I recommend making some extra dressing in case your guests/family wants more.
So happy you loved it Angela! Great tip, you can never have too much dressing :)
This has officially taken the place of Cesar salad in my books as my favourite!