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Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad features a delightful combination of crispy vegetables, toasted pine nuts, and velvety goat cheese, all tossed in a deliciously simple dressing that enhances its flavors. Add this to your healthy salad rotation!

Try our Spinach Salad with Honey Dijon Dressing next!

A serving bowl full of spinach salad with a fork.

Best Spinach Salad

This salad is brought to you from my sister, Jackie – all the way from Colorado. She and her hubby came to visit us in late May (a few years ago) on their trek through Texas. They hit a hotter-than-heck weather week, and I was sad they had to experience THAT on their trip. We Texans are used to it. But Coloradoans…not so much.

So what did we do? We played in the pool, drank margaritas (and water, of course), and stayed close to the a/c. We also made THIS salad. It’s Jackie’s creation and it’s the boss of all salads.

Why This Recipe Works:

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS – Again, we’ve got easy-to-find ingredients that is an elegant addition to any main course.
HEALTHY SALAD – This special salad makes a light lunch or a main course in my case. You can add some shredded chicken breast for hungry peeps. Making your own dressing is the best way to make nutrition a priority when eating salads.
FULL OF FLAVOR – You don’t need a special occasion to make meals that are packed with flavor. Try this one soon and it might just turn out to be your favorite salad!

A large bowl of the spinach goat cheese salad with wooden spoons.

What you’ll need for Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad:

healthy spinach leaves
crunchy cucumbers, red onion, and cherry tomatoes
fresh corn on the cob – grilled or sautéed
toasted pine nuts
perfectly ripe avocado
creamy goat cheese
a simple dressing that includes olive oil, white wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard
(Optional ingredients include dried cranberries, crispy bacon, or fresh berries.)

BTW, take a look at the nutrition label below. Super low in sugar and calories. High in protein and taste with a nice amount of dietary fiber.

The salad ingredients for the spinach salad with goat cheese.

How to make Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad:

Step 1
Prep veggies. In a large bowl, add the baby spinach leaves. I normally snap the long stems off of the spinach. Slice the red onion, tomatoes, cucumber, and avocado (if serving immediately).

Step 2
Saute corn. Use a sharp knife to slice the corn off of the cobs. Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat and when hot, add corn. Saute it for a few minutes or until slightly softened. Set aside.

Step 3
Toast pine nuts. Wipe the pan out and then place it back on the stove over medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast until slightly browned and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Remove to cool.

Step 4
Combine ingredients. To the bowl with the spinach, add the sliced cucumber, red onion, avocado, and tomatoes. Add the toasted pine nuts, sauteed corn, and goat cheese. Toss to combine.

A bowl of the spinach salad with toppings separated by ingredients.

Step 5
Make dressing. In a small mason jar, combine the salad ingredients – olive oil, white wine vinegar, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Shake vigorously to combine.

Step 6
Add dressing to salad. If serving a large group, add the dressing to the salad and toss. If serving only a couple of salads, add to individual bowls and top with dressing.

Store dressing ingredients separately in the refrigerator and assemble salads at mealtime. The dressing can be stored in a small bowl or a glass jar with a lid.

Side view of some creamy salad dressing being poured into a serving of salad.

Recipe Tips:

I recommend assembling this salad shortly before mealtime to prevent it from getting soggy.
You can use canned corn instead of fresh corn on the cob. Drain the corn well.
Pine nuts can be expensive so look for deals. We like to purchase them at Trader Joe’s at a lower price.
Use garden-fresh tomatoes when they are in season.

Main Dishes to pair with Spinach and Goat Cheese Salad:

Other Salad Recipes:

Side view of a serving bowl of spinach and goat cheese salad with a large bowl in the background.

Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)

xoxo ~Sue