This colorful Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Broccoli and Feta is crisp, refreshing, and the perfect balance of savory and sweet for Fall and Winter meals.
One glance into my kitchen reveals a simple truth: I need to hide the apples.
A wooden bowl sits on the counter full of apples, each one bright and inviting — and each one with a tiny bite missing. My toddler has somehow sampled every single apple without me noticing. I’m equal parts annoyed and impressed by her dedication.
It’s an honest confession: if a bowl of cookies were nearby, I’d probably be guilty too. For now, I’m surrendering a few apples in exchange for the joy they bring.
Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Broccoli and Feta
Clear out the crisper and brighten up cold-weather meals with this colorful spinach salad. Measurements are guidelines—feel free to adapt quantities, swap ingredients, and use up what you have on hand. This salad combines crunchy apple, tender baby spinach, roasted pepitas, tangy feta, and sweet dried cranberries tossed in a creamy poppy seed ranch for a satisfying seasonal side or light main.
Apple Cranberry Spinach Salad with Broccoli and Feta
Ingredients
- 4–5 oz fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup chopped broccoli
- ½ cup chopped grapes (green or red)
- 1 apple (half or whole), chopped — Honeycrisp recommended
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2–4 tbsp dried cranberries
- 2–4 tbsp roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Black pepper, to taste (optional)
Poppy Seed Ranch Dressing:
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- ¼ cup buttermilk (more if needed to thin)
- ¼ cup quality mayonnaise
- 1 clove garlic, smashed and minced into a paste
- ½ tsp lemon juice or white vinegar
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- ½ tsp dried parsley (or 1½ tsp fresh, chopped)
- ½ tsp dried dill (or 1½ tsp fresh)
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp paprika
- 1/8–1/4 tsp garlic powder, to taste
- ⅛ tsp sea salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Make the dressing first if you’re not using a premade dressing. Ranch benefits from resting, so whisk it together and chill for a few hours or overnight to let flavors meld.
- Peel and smash the garlic clove, then mince it into a paste and season with a bit of salt.
- Combine the garlic paste with the yogurt (or sour cream), buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice (or vinegar), poppy seeds, herbs, and spices. Whisk until smooth. Adjust consistency with extra buttermilk if needed.
- Refrigerate the dressing for at least a couple of hours to develop flavor.
- Wash and dry the spinach thoroughly.
- In a large bowl, combine spinach, chopped broccoli, grapes, chopped apple, dried cranberries, crumbled feta, and roasted pepitas.
- Toss the salad with the poppy seed ranch dressing just before serving.
- Season with black pepper to taste. Garnish with extra poppy seeds if desired. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
This recipe makes about two large main salads or four side salads. Adjust serving size and ingredient amounts to suit your needs.
The dressing works with both fresh and dried herbs. Measurements listed are for dried herbs; increase amounts if using fresh herbs to taste.
Stored in an airtight container, homemade dressing will keep in the refrigerator for about four days.
Nutrition facts are estimated before adding dressing and will vary depending on how much dressing you use.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 19 g,
Protein: 5 g,
Fat: 6 g,
Saturated Fat: 2 g,
Cholesterol: 8 mg,
Sodium: 151 mg,
Potassium: 337 mg,
Fiber: 3 g,
Sugar: 13 g,
Vitamin A: 2793 IU,
Vitamin C: 21 mg,
Calcium: 86 mg,
Iron: 2 mg.
substitutions and swaps
I used a homemade poppy seed ranch for this salad, but any creamy or vinaigrette-style dressing will work. If you prefer something lighter, a simple maple-citrus vinaigrette or a plain vinaigrette pairs nicely with apples and cranberries.
For toppings, sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts are great alternatives to pepitas. Swap goat cheese for feta if you like a milder, creamier flavor. To add protein, include grilled chicken, roasted chickpeas, or candied nuts for a sweet crunch.
more scrumptious salads:
- Greek Green Bean Salad — a fresh, healthy side.
- Cranberry Cilantro Quinoa Salad — bright and herbaceous.
- Cranberry Quinoa Salad with Candied Walnuts — a reader favorite with sweet crunch.
- Green Bean and Quinoa Salad with Maple Citrus Dressing — hearty and flavorful.
spinach recipes
Baked Spinach Artichoke Wonton Cups
Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Spinach Spaghetti Squash
Apple Citrus Spinach Salad with Blood Orange Dressing
