This recipe for spinach salad dressing is a game-changer, offering a creamy, savory blend that’s just right for your spinach salad. It’s easy to make, and the result is a zesty, mouthwatering dressing that will make your salad the star of the meal!
This spinach salad dressing is not your ordinary salad topping. It’s a vibrant blend of tangy, sweet, and zesty flavors that will elevate your spinach salads, quinoa salads, and pasta salads to a whole new level of deliciousness! Plus, it can be ready in just 5 minutes!
This salad dressing recipe is a classic, much like my bacon and egg salad. Serve it on a spinach salad with cranberries for a delicious twist. And if you’re looking for more salad ideas, I have plenty more recipes for you to try.
This recipe is one that I discovered in my mom’s recipe book. She likes to heat the dressing and serve over spinach to wilt it slightly. Yum!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is a breeze to whip up. Just mince the onions, combine all the ingredients, and whisk together. It’s as simple as that!
- Flavor-Packed: Every spoon of this dressing is bursting with flavor. The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory elements creates a truly unforgettable dressing.
- Classic Flavors: This recipe sticks to traditional ingredients, resulting in a dressing that is packed with familiar, comforting flavors. It’s a classic for a reason!
- Family Favorite: This dressing is a hit with the whole family. It’s a recipe that has been passed down through generations and continues to be a staple at family gatherings.
- Time-Saving: This dressing can be made ahead of time and chilled until ready to serve. It’s a real time-saver, especially when you’re preparing for a big meal.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
Key Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar: This will add a touch of sweetness to balance the acidity in the dressing.
- White Vinegar: Vinegar gives the dressing a tangy kick, enhancing the overall flavors of the salad.
- Salad Oil: Canola, vegetable, or light olive oil can be used as the base of the dressing, providing a smooth texture and helping to blend all the flavors.
- Minced Onion: This adds a bit of crunch and a burst of flavor to the dressing.
- Prepared Mustard: Mustard gives the dressing a bit of heat and helps emulsify the oil and vinegar.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavors of the other ingredients and brings out their natural tastes.
- Pepper: Pepper adds a hint of spice to the dressing, complementing the sweetness of the sugar and the tanginess of the vinegar.
Equipment
- Whisk – A whisk is essential for combining dressing ingredients like sugar, vinegar, salad oil, minced onions, prepared mustard, salt, and pepper to ensure a smooth and well-blended vinaigrette.
- Knife – You’ll need a sharp knife to finely mince the onions, which will add a burst of flavor to your dressing.
- Mixing Bowl – A large bowl is needed to mix all the dressing ingredients together. This allows you to whisk them until they’re well combined.
How to Make Spinach Salad Dressing
Preparation
Begin by mincing the onions. This will add a burst of flavor to your spinach salad dressing.
Step 1 – Combine the Dressing Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the minced onions with other dressing ingredients. These ingredients will create a dressing that is both tangy and sweet.
Step 2 – Whisk the Ingredients Together
Use a whisk to mix all the dressing ingredients. This will ensure that the flavors are well combined and the dressing is smooth. (You can also add all ingredients together in a pint mason jar. Put the lid on tightly and give it a good shake to incorporate the ingredients.)
Step 3 – Chill the Dressing
You can serve the dressing immediately, or let chill in the refrigerator until you’re ready to enjoy.
Expert Tips
For the best results with your spinach salad dressing, let it chill for at least two hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together, creating a more robust and balanced dressing.
Recipe Variations
- Vinaigrette Variation: Substitute the white vinegar with red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar for a different flavor profile. This vinaigrette variation is excellent with a spinach salad that includes strawberries and goat cheese.
- Garlic Infusion: Add minced garlic to the dressing ingredients for a robust flavor. This garlic-infused dressing is perfect for a spinach salad with feta cheese and sweet potatoes.
- Sweetener Replacement: Use honey instead of sugar for a delicious flavor twist. This variation pairs well with a spinach salad topped with grilled chicken and pecans.
What to Serve With
- For a light and refreshing lunch, try serving this spinach salad dressing over a bed of fresh arugula, sliced strawberries, and toasted almonds. The sweet and tangy flavors of the dressing perfectly complement the bitterness of the arugula and the sweetness of the strawberries.
- Looking for a hearty dinner option? Toss grilled chicken, avocados, and hard-boiled eggs in a large bowl with this dressing. The robust flavors of the dressing bring out the richness of the chicken and the creaminess of the avocados.
- For a unique twist, drizzle this dressing over a warm salad of roasted sweet potatoes, kale, and pecans. The sweetness of the potatoes and the crunchiness of the pecans make for a delicious contrast with the tangy dressing.
- Planning a brunch? Serve this dressing with a spinach salad featuring goat cheese, pears, and walnuts. The creamy goat cheese and the sweet pears balance the tangy dressing, while the walnuts add a nice crunch.
Recipe FAQs
The onions should be minced for this dressing. This means you should chop them into very small pieces, which will allow their flavor to distribute evenly throughout the dressing.
Yes, you can serve the dressing immediately after preparation. However, it is best if left to chill for two hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste of the dressing.
The recipe suggests using salad oil for the dressing. This could be canola, vegetable, or light olive oil. The choice of oil can slightly alter the flavor of the dressing, so you can choose based on your preference.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate: If you have any leftover spinach salad dressing, simply pour it into an airtight sealed container and store it in the fridge. It should stay fresh for up to a week.
- Freeze: Unfortunately, this spinach salad dressing does not freeze well due to the vinegar and olive oil in the ingredients. These components can separate when frozen and thawed, altering the texture and flavors of the dressing.
More Dressing Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This spinach salad dressing recipe yields about 2 cups of dressing, enough to generously dress a large bowl of salad.
- How to Scale: If you’re planning to serve more than one large salad, you can easily double the recipe. Just ensure you have a large enough container to shake and store the dressing. Follow the rest of the instructions as directed.
Spinach Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- ⅓ Cup onion minced
- ⅓ Cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ Cup white vinegar
- 1 Cup salad oil canola, vegetable, or light olive
- 3 teaspoons prepared mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Finely mince the onions.
- Combine all ingredients and whisk together well.
- Serve immediately or let chill until ready to serve.
Leave A Reply!