There’s something about the combination of wilted spinach and a hot bacon dressing that creates pure magic. This tangy, smoky, and slightly sweet salad is the perfect dish to satisfy your cravings for both comfort food and healthy greens. This warm wilted spinach salad topped with fresh strawberries and crumbly feta cheese is a must-try.
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Why Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance: The combination of tender wilted spinach leaves, crispy bacon bits, tangy red wine vinegar, and creamy goat cheese create a harmonious balance of yummy flavor.
- Versatility: Customize this salad by adding various toppings or swapping out ingredients based on your preference or what’s in season.
- Nutrition: This salad is a healthy way to get in some much-needed nutrition. Spinach is packed with nutrients like iron, vitamins A and C, while the bacon adds protein to keep you feeling satisfied.
What is a Wilted Spinach Salad?
This fresh spinach salad features a warm bacon dressing that gently wilts the spinach—a step that gives this dish its unique name. Unlike traditional cold crispy salads, this technique unlocks intense flavors while maintaining a soft bite to the raw spinach leaves.
What is Hot Bacon Dressing?
This super flavorful hot dressing is made with rendered bacon fat as a base. It’s a warm dressing used to dress salads or drizzle over cooked veggies. It’s known for its rich, smoky and savory flavor profile. The warmth of the dressing can lightly wilt delicate greens, providing a unique texture.
Ingredients Needed for Hot Bacon Dressing
- Thick-Cut Bacon: The main ingredient that adds a smoky and savory flavor to the dressing. You can opt for thin cut bacon if that’s all you have on hand.
- Red Onion: Diced red onions adds a mild onion flavor and a hint of sweetness to the dressing. Sweet Vidalia onions would be a substitute.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds acidity and tanginess to the dressing that helps balance the richness of the bacon and adds a bright note. You can also use red wine vinegar or even white wine vinegar.
- Honey: For a touch of natural sweetness that harmonizes with the other flavors and helps balance the acidity of the vinegar. You can substitute the honey with brown sugar or other sugar replacement.
- Dijon Mustard: For additional tang and a slightly spicy kick. It also acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind the ingredients together and create a creamy consistency.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Contributes to the richness and provides a silky texture.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
Ingredients Needed for the Spinach Salad
- Baby Spinach: A tender and mild leafy green that serves as the base of the salad. It provides a fresh and vibrant texture to the dish.
- Fresh Strawberries: For a burst of sweetness and vibrant color. They complement the savory flavors of the bacon dressing and the creamy feta cheese.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a creamy and tangy element that has a distinct flavor and pairs well with the sweetness of the strawberries and the richness of the bacon dressing.
How to Make Hot Bacon Dressing
Add bacon to a large skillet set over medium heat. Fry bacon, stirring frequently, until crispy, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
Leave 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet and return to heat. Save the rest of the bacon drippings for another recipe. Do not discard this liquid gold! Add the red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, approximately 3-4 minutes.
Add apple cider vinegar, honey and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until thoroughly emulsified and heated through, approximately 2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low and stir bacon and extra virgin olive oil into the skillet until combined. Continue simmering on low heat while preparing the salad.
How to Make the Wilted Spinach Salad
Place spinach leaves in a large salad bowl. Top with sliced strawberries and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle hot bacon dressing generously over the salad while it’s still warm to wilt the spinach slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Warm Spinach Salad Topping Variations
- Seeds and Nuts: Add toasted walnuts, sesame seeds, pine nuts or pecans for extra texture.
- Avocado: Slice up some ripe avocado for a creamy contrast.
- Cranberries or Raisins: Substitute strawberries with dried cranberries or raisins for a tangy twist.
- Grilled Chicken: Boost protein by adding grilled chicken breast or shrimp on top.
- Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle balsamic vinegar glaze over your salad for an added layer of flavor.
- Hard Boiled Eggs: You can’t go wrong with adding hard-boiled eggs to any salad!
- Cherry tomatoes: Enjoy fresh or roasted cherry tomatoes on this salad as a replacement for the strawberries.
Tips for Success
- Drain Excess Water: Make sure the spinach leaves are dry before assembling your salad to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Use Crisp Bacon: The crispiness adds texture and enhances its smoky flavor in every bite. Yummy.
- Serve Immediately after Dressing: The warmth of the dressing will wilt the spinach just enough before serving, so don’t let it sit for too long.
Treat yourself and your family to this irresistible wilted spinach salad recipe topped with hot bacon dressing, fresh strawberries and feta cheese. The combination of flavors and textures will leave you craving more. Remember to experiment with different variations and toppings to make it truly your own. Enjoy!
Wilted Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1” pieces
- ½ cup red onion, diced
- ¼ cup apple cider wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp honey, preferably local
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Make the Bacon Dressing
- Add bacon to a large skillet set over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until crispy, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon with a slotted spatula to a plate lined with paper towels. Set aside.
- Leave 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and return to heat. Add the red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add apple cider vinegar, honey and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until thoroughly emulisfied and heated through, approximately 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir bacon and extra virgin olive oil into the skillet until combined. Continue simmering on low heat while preparing the salad.
Assemble the Salad
- Place spinach leaves in a large bowl. Top with sliced strawberries and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle hot bacon dressing generously over the salad while it’s still warm to wilt the spinach slightly. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
