Cranberry Spinach Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Table of Contents

Welcome to the ultimate Cranberry Spinach Salad recipe that will become your go-to dish for everything from holiday feasts to simple weeknight dinners. This isn’t just another salad; it’s a vibrant medley of crisp baby spinach, sweet dried cranberries, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy pecans, all brought together by a homemade creamy poppy seed dressing that is truly unforgettable. If you’ve been searching for a salad that is both incredibly easy to make and impressively elegant, you’ve found it.

We’ve designed this recipe to be the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The sweetness of the cranberries and the tangy feta create a classic combination, while the toasted pecans add a delightful crunch. Forget store-bought dressings; our creamy poppy seed vinaigrette is simple to whisk together and elevates this dish to a gourmet level. It’s the perfect recipe to impress your guests or treat yourself to a delicious and healthy meal.

A large serving bowl filled with the finished feta cranberry salad, ready to be tossed with a homemade poppy seed dressing. — Ready in just 15 minutes!

Why This is the Best Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipe

There are many spinach salad recipes out there, but this one stands apart. We focus on quality ingredients and a show-stopping homemade dressing that makes all the difference.

Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The combination of sweet, savory, tangy, and crunchy is expertly balanced.
Incredibly Versatile: Serve it as a side dish for a holiday meal, a light lunch, or add grilled chicken to make it a complete dinner. We think it pairs wonderfully with creamy garlic butter chicken.
Quick and Easy: You can whip up this stunning salad in just about 15 minutes.
The Ultimate Homemade Dressing: Our creamy poppy seed dressing is tangy, sweet, and far superior to any bottled version.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this salad lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.

A close-up view of the cranberry spinach salad, highlighting the textures of the fresh baby spinach, crumbled feta, and sweet dried cranberries. — The perfect combination of sweet, savory, and tangy.

For the Salad

Baby Spinach: Use fresh, crisp baby spinach. Pre-washed makes preparation even faster.
Dried Cranberries: These add a wonderful chewy texture and burst of sweetness.
Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta provides a creamy, tangy counterpoint.
Pecans: Toasted pecans add a nutty crunch. You can also use walnuts or almonds.
Red Onion: Thinly sliced red onion adds a sharp, savory bite that cuts through the richness.

For the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Mayonnaise: This creates the creamy base of the dressing.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds the perfect amount of tang.
Sugar: Just a touch to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
Poppy Seeds: Provides a subtle crunch and classic flavor.
Onion Powder: For a hint of savory depth.
Milk: To thin the dressing to the perfect consistency.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Bringing this beautiful salad to life is as simple as 1-2-3. Follow these steps for guaranteed success.

Step 1: Prepare the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, and onion powder until smooth. Slowly whisk in the milk until the dressing reaches your desired consistency. You can store this in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Step 2: Assemble the Salad

In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach, dried cranberries, crumbled feta cheese, toasted pecans, and thinly sliced red onion. Be gentle to avoid bruising the spinach leaves.

Step 3: Dress and Serve

Just before serving, drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Add more dressing as needed until everything is lightly coated. Serve immediately to ensure the spinach stays crisp and fresh. This salad is a fantastic starter, especially before a hearty main like our classic Italian spaghetti.

Pro Tips for a Flawless Salad

A few simple tips can take your Cranberry Spinach Salad from good to absolutely amazing.

Use Fresh Ingredients: The fresher your spinach, the better the salad. Ensure your pecans are fresh and your feta is high-quality.
Don’t Dress in Advance: To prevent a soggy salad, only add the dressing right before you plan to serve it.
Toast Your Nuts: Toasting the pecans for 5-7 minutes in a dry skillet over medium heat releases their natural oils and deepens their flavor. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference.
Slice Onions Thinly: A mandoline slicer is perfect for getting paper-thin red onion slices that distribute evenly without overpowering the other ingredients.

Delicious Variations and Add-Ins

One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients!

Change the Cheese: Not a fan of feta? Try creamy goat cheese, sharp blue cheese, or even shaved Parmesan.
Add Protein: Turn this side salad into a main course by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or crispy bacon. It’s also a great way to use up leftover grilled salmon.
Swap the Nuts: Candied walnuts, toasted almonds, or even pumpkin seeds work wonderfully.
Introduce More Fruit: Thinly sliced apples or pears add a crisp, juicy element that complements the cranberries perfectly.

Make-Ahead and Storage Guide

Planning for a party or just want to prep ahead? Here’s how:

Dressing: The poppy seed dressing can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Salad Components: You can wash and dry the spinach, toast the nuts, and crumble the cheese a day or two ahead. Store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge.
Assembly: When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble the prepped ingredients in a bowl, toss with the dressing, and serve.
Leftovers: Leftover dressed salad will not keep well. If you anticipate leftovers, serve the dressing on the side so people can add their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the components ahead of time. The dressing can be made up to 5 days in advance, and the salad ingredients (spinach, nuts, cheese, onion) can be prepped and stored in separate airtight containers in the fridge for 1-2 days. Assemble and toss with dressing just before serving.

How do I keep my spinach from getting soggy?

The key is to wait until the absolute last minute to add the dressing. Dress the salad just before you bring it to the table to ensure the spinach leaves stay crisp and fresh. Also, make sure your spinach is completely dry before adding it to the bowl.

What can I add to cranberry spinach salad to make it a meal?

To turn this salad into a satisfying main course, add a source of protein. Grilled chicken breast, pan-seared shrimp, crispy bacon, or even a piece of grilled salmon are all fantastic additions.

What dressing is best for a cranberry spinach salad?

While a simple balsamic vinaigrette is a classic choice, we highly recommend a homemade creamy poppy seed dressing. Its sweetness and tang perfectly complement the cranberries and feta cheese for a richer flavor profile.

What kind of cheese goes well with spinach and cranberry?

Feta is the most popular choice due to its salty and tangy flavor. However, creamy goat cheese is an excellent, milder alternative. For a sharper bite, crumbles of blue cheese also work wonderfully.

Enjoy Your New Favorite Salad!

This Cranberry Spinach Salad is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of fresh, vibrant flavors that come together in the most delightful way. We are confident it will earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection. Give it a try, and don’t forget to share your beautiful creations with us on Pinterest!