Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Recipe

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

prep time
cook time
total time
makes
4 -6 servings

Spinach salad with warm bacon dressing is a classic for a reason. It’s a really easy recipe to make and it’s absolutely packed with flavor!

When you combine the tart red wine vinegar with the salty and smoky bacon drippings left in the pan, you get a balanced dressing that is both savory and acidic.

It’s pretty perfect, especially drizzled over the more mild-flavored spinach, mushrooms and hardboiled eggs.

If you want to add another dimension of flavor, you can sprinkle a little blue cheese over the salad just before serving!

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Recipe

what you'll need
  • 6 oz baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 1/2 lb bacon
  • 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp honey
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup pickled red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 eggs, hard-boiled, sliced
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries, optional
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, optional
Nutrition Facts
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 360 Calories from Fat 234
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g 40%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5g
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 177mg 59%
Sodium 1202mg 50%
Potassium 402mg 11%
Total Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 5g
Protein 20g 40%
Vitamin A 82%
Vitamin C 24%
Calcium 7%
Iron 19%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
let's do it
  1. Place rinsed spinach and mushrooms into a large salad bowl and put in refrigerator. Place a large skillet over medium-low heat and fry bacon until it is crispy but still slightly tender. Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside.
  2. Remove all but 3 Tbsp of bacon grease from the skillet and return to heat.
  3. Add red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and honey, and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove dressing from heat and set aside to cool slightly while you chop or crumble bacon into small pieces.
  4. Remove spinach and mushrooms from refrigerator and add crumbled bacon and pickled onions. Drizzle desired amount of dressing over salad and toss to coat. Transfer salad to a serving dish and season with salt and pepper. For an unexpected bit of sweetness and additional crunch, sprinkle dried cranberries and sunflower seeds over the top. Be sure to add a few slices of hard-boiled eggs to each serving and enjoy!
One Last Thing

With the bacon and hardboiled eggs, this salad can easily be served as a light dinner!

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Recipe