Imagine a salad that's not just healthy, but explosively delicious – a culinary masterpiece that transforms ordinary spinach into a mouthwatering sensation! Our Wilted Spinach Bacon Salad is the ultimate game-changer in your recipe collection, combining crispy bacon, fresh spinach, and a tangy balsamic dressing that will have everyone at your table begging for seconds. This isn't just a salad; it's a flavor experience that proves healthy eating can be incredibly indulgent and exciting!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups of fresh spinach
- 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Rinse the fresh spinach under cold water to remove any dirt or grit. Pat the spinach dry with a clean kitchen towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Next, cook the bacon. In a skillet over medium heat, add the bacon slices and cook until they are crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Allow it to cool slightly before crumbling it into small pieces.
- While the bacon is cooking, prepare the red onion. Peel the onion and slice it thinly. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, you can soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes, then drain them.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the fresh spinach, crumbled bacon, and sliced red onion. Toss gently to mix the ingredients without bruising the spinach.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the spinach mixture. Start with half of the vinaigrette and toss the salad gently to coat the ingredients evenly. Add more vinaigrette if desired, according to your taste.
- Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste. Be mindful of the saltiness from the bacon when adding salt.
- Once everything is well combined, transfer the wilted spinach bacon salad to serving plates or a large serving bowl. Serve immediately while the spinach is still slightly wilted from the warmth of the bacon.
- Enjoy your delicious wilted spinach bacon salad as a side dish or a light main course!
Tips
- Choose Fresh Ingredients: Always use the freshest spinach possible for the best texture and flavor. Look for crisp, vibrant green leaves without any wilting or yellowing.
- Bacon Perfection: Cook bacon until it's perfectly crispy but not burnt. The crunch and smoky flavor are crucial to this salad's success.
- Temperature Matters: Serve the salad immediately after dressing to enjoy the perfect "wilted" texture – warm bacon slightly softens the spinach without making it soggy.
- Vinaigrette Hack: For an extra flavor boost, warm the balsamic vinaigrette slightly before drizzling over the salad to help it coat the ingredients more evenly.
- Customize Your Salad: Feel free to add toasted pine nuts or crumbled goat cheese for additional texture and flavor complexity.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg
