Imagine a salad that breaks all the rules - one that's packed with crispy bacon, tangy vinaigrette, and fresh spinach leaves that dance with flavor in every single bite. This Spinach Salad with Bacon Warm Vinaigrette is not just another boring green dish, but a culinary experience that will transform your perception of salads forever. Perfect for those who want a quick, delicious meal that combines the smoky richness of bacon with the fresh crispness of spinach, this recipe is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Fresh spinach
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Red onion, sliced
- Olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Mustard
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the bacon by cooking it in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown. Remove bacon from pan and drain on paper towels, then crumble into small pieces.
- While bacon is cooking, wash and dry fresh spinach leaves thoroughly. Place spinach in a large salad bowl.
- Thinly slice red onion into half-moon shapes and scatter over the spinach leaves.
- In the same skillet used for bacon, retain about 2-3 tablespoons of bacon drippings. If there's excess, drain some off.
- Add olive oil to the bacon drippings in the skillet and heat over medium heat.
- Whisk in red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create the warm vinaigrette.
- Immediately pour the hot vinaigrette over the spinach and red onions, tossing gently to coat and slightly wilt the leaves.
- Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the salad and serve warm immediately to enjoy the best flavor and texture.
Tips
- Choose the freshest spinach possible - look for bright green, crisp leaves without any wilting or yellowing.
- Cook bacon until it's perfectly crisp but not burned - this provides the ideal texture and flavor base.
- Use the same skillet for bacon and vinaigrette to capture all those delicious, smoky drippings.
- Serve the salad immediately after dressing to maintain the warm temperature and prevent soggy leaves.
- For extra flavor, consider adding toasted pine nuts or sliced hard-boiled eggs as optional toppings.
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute turkey bacon or use less bacon drippings.
- Always dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach leaves vibrant and prevent them from becoming too wilted.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 15mg
