Apple Spinach Salad with Honey-Mustard Lemon Dressing
This apple spinach salad with honey-mustard lemon dressing is a fresh, vibrant blend of crisp apples, tangy feta, and crunchy pistachios tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Bursting with sweet, savory, and nutty flavors, it’s perfect as a healthy side dish or a light main course. Naturally gluten-free and easily made vegan, this quick no-cook recipe is ideal for weeknight meals or elegant entertaining.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad, Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Baby spinach (or spinach + arugula mix)
- Fuji or Honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Pistachios, shelled and salted
- Honey
- Fresh lemon juice
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Place spinach in a large salad bowl.
- Thinly slice apple; if prepping ahead, toss slices in lemon juice to prevent browning.
- Add apple slices and crumbled feta to the bowl.
- In a small jar, whisk together honey, lemon juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard until emulsified.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle with pistachios just before serving for crunch.
Notes
- Swap spinach for arugula, mixed greens, or butter lettuce.
- Replace apples with pears, peaches, or citrus fruits.
- Change up nuts—pecans, walnuts, or almonds work well.
- Add dried cranberries or figs for extra sweetness.
- For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey and vegan cheese or omit cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
