This spinach salad with cranberries and almonds is one of my favorite summer dishes! Topped with a homemade poppy seed dressing, it’s a fresh and healthy meal that’s easy to make!
Looking for something delicious to serve at your next Summer BBQ? Try our simple Coleslaw recipe, Watermelon On A Stick for the kids, and BBQ Ribs to knock your guests socks off!
Spinach Salad
The warm weather in the summertime has me craving cool, fresh foods, and this cranberry spinach salad definitely fits the bill! We’ve been making it in my family for several years now and it never gets old!
It is not only super delicious, but it’s also really easy to make.
There are only 3 ingredients for the salad itself, and then you can choose to make a creamy homemade poppy seed dressing like I did, or you can grab another of your favorite dressing options. (A vinaigrette dressing is also amazing!)
How To Make A Cranberry Spinach Salad
INGREDIENTS –
- 1/2 cup almonds, slivered and chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 4 cups baby spinach, rinsed and dried
* You’ll also need your favorite salad dressing
DIRECTIONS –
Toast Almonds – Place the sliced almonds in a small frying pan and put them on the stove top over medium heat. Stir them frequently until they are a golden-brown color. Once they’ve toasted, remove them from the heat and allow them to cool completely.
Poppy Seed Dressing – Make your homemade dressing following the recipe directions or grab your favorite out of the fridge.
Assemble – Compile all of the ingredients into a salad bowl, drizzle with your dressing, and serve.
Recipe Tips
Spring Mix – Sometimes I like to add a little different flavor and texture to my fresh spinach salad by adding some spring mix to the bowl.
Toasting the Almonds – If you prefer to toast the almonds in the oven, you can place them on a baking sheet and cook them at 350 degrees for 5-10 minutes.
Add Protein – To add even more substance to the salad and make it a full meal, I’ll add some grilled chicken, steak, shrimp, or canned tuna to the recipe.
Additional Toppings –
- apple slices
- red onion slices
- feta cheese
- fresh black pepper
- walnuts
- toasted sesame seeds
- poppy seeds
- candied pecans
More Delicious Summer Salads
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Tortellini Apple Salad
- Honey Lime Fruit Salad
- Bacon & Broccoli Salad
- Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad
HERE’S A PRINTABLE RECIPE CARD FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE –
Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup almonds, slivered and chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 4 cups baby spinach, rinsed and dried
Instructions
- Put your almonds in a small pan over medium heat on the stove top. Stir them often until they turn golden brown. Allow them to cool once toasted.
- Combine almonds, cranberries and spinach in a medium sized bowl.
- Top with a creamy poppyseed dressing, or your favorite vinaigrette.
- Eat and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Other Notes
This is the most perfect salad ever!! I could eat it for lunch everyday.
You and me both!
Simple, simple, simple! Loved it!
I love it too!
Toasted nuts make any salad more delicious. Love it!
Totally agree!
So simple and refreshing! Will be making it again and again!
Thanks! So glad to hear you loved it!
I know what I will be making for lunch tomorrow! This looks so light and flavorful! Yum!
This spinach salad looks amazing!
Thanks Valentina!
This dish looks absolutely DELICIOUS 🙂
Thanks John! And its so simple too! 🙂
Thanks for all the yummy salad ideas!! Salads are our main go to dish for summer dinners.
Thank you Nikki! Aren’t salads just so refreshing in the summer time – plus with salads you don’t have to heat your kitchen up!