A simple spinach salad with an easy homemade balsamic vinaigrette!
I’m all for fancy salads with layers of ingredients and the perfect mix of textures. But sometimes, you just need a salad to serve with dinner. Something easy, something you can always throw together and something that will be delicious.
Spinach and homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Voila!
It’s the dressing that does it, really. The dressing is so tasty. Homemade really is miles above and beyond anything you can get in the store, so it makes this salad a joy to eat.
And it couldn’t be easier. You just mix garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper and olive oil. I use a ratio closer to 1:1 for my vinegar:oil mixture and that works for me. Feel free to add more oil if you want. I just eyeball it really, in my container from the side as I pour in the olive oil. Then I shake it up and it’s all set. So fast.
Important caveat: It helps to have really good balsamic vinegar and olive oil here since those are your big flavors. I don’t mean you have to go buy the most expensive thing you can find in the store. In fact, I get the Costco brand for both my balsamic vinegar and olive oil and have found them to be very good quality and flavor.
May you have a partner and a family that thinks this salad rocks as much as my family does. And if not, I’ve got several ideas for variations below so you’re still covered. Enjoy!
Super simple spinach salad
A simple but divine spinach salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette!
Ingredients
For the salad
- Spinach - enough for 4 people
- Ummm, that's it.
For the dressing
- 1/2 clove minced garlic
- 1 overflowing tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Put your spinach into a big bowl.
- Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a small jar or tupperware container and shake them up.
- Pour the dressing over the spinach right before you’re ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
See below for variations/add-ins.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | |
| Amount Per Serving | As Served |
| Calories 49kcal Calories from fat 46 | |
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| Sodium 22mg | 1% |
| Carbohydrate 1g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 0g | |
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:
| Calories | 2000 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | Less than | 65g |
| Sat Fat | Less than | 25g |
| Cholesterol | Less than | 300mg |
| Sodium | Less than | 2,400mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 300g | |
| Dietary Fiber | 25g | |
Variations:
Feel free to substitute your favorite green for this salad – spring mix, arugula, romaine, whatever you like.
And if you or your family can’t quite get on board with such a basic salad then, 1. I’m sorry. But 2. Here are some easy ways to kick it up a notch:
*Add some feta cheese and halved cherry tomatoes.
*Add some shaved Parmesan and some diced strawberries.
*Add some crumbled blue cheese and some chopped walnuts or pecans.
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