Company Spinach Salad
A vibrant spinach salad featuring fresh vegetables, crispy bacon, and flavorful dressings, perfect for a light, nutritious meal or side dish suited for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 bunches fresh spinach
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, halved ⓘ
- 1 cucumber, sliced ⓘ
- 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered ⓘ
- 4 pitted ripe olives ⓘ
- 4 pimento-stuffed Spanish olives ⓘ
- 8 strips bacon, fried ⓘ
- alfaalfa sprouts ⓘ
- small bag radishes ⓘ
- salad dressing (French, Italian, Vinaigrette, Blue cheese) ⓘ
- 2 bunches fresh spinach ⓘ
- 2 tomatoes, cut into wedges ⓘ
- 1 bunch green onions ⓘ
- 4 strips bacon, fried and crumbled ⓘ
Instructions
- Wash the spinach thoroughly and remove the stalks.
- Tear the spinach into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the torn spinach, quartered tomatoes, chopped green onions, and sliced green pepper strips.
- Cook bacon strips until crispy, then crumble into small pieces.
- Add the bacon pieces to the salad.
- Pour your choice of salad dressing over the mixture and toss gently to coat evenly.
- Optional: Garnish with radishes, olives, alfalfa sprouts, and sliced or whole tomatoes as desired.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Substitutions
For a fresher taste, use baby spinach instead of mature leaves, which can be tougher. You can substitute the bacon with turkey bacon or omit it for a vegetarian version. If you're short on time, pre-washed spinach can save you prep time. Consider adding nuts or seeds for extra crunch, as well as pairing it with American recipes like Auntie El'S Hamburg Rice Casserole.
Serving Suggestions
This salad makes a great side dish for grilled meats or sandwiches, or it can be a light main course. Pair it with a hearty soup or a creamy dip like Sin Dip for a balanced meal. For a more filling option, serve it alongside Slumgullian (Meal In A Dish - Texas Style) to create a satisfying spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. However, it's best to keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to prevent the spinach from wilting. To refresh the salad after storage, add a little more dressing and toss gently. Avoid reheating the salad, as it is best enjoyed cold.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Company Spinach Salad contains roughly 500 calories, with 13g protein, 42g carbohydrates, and 33g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (96% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (66% of the Daily Value), and iron (32% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2961mg per serving (129% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I prepare this salad in advance?
While you can wash and chop the vegetables ahead of time, it's best to assemble the salad just before serving to maintain freshness. If you want to prep early, store the ingredients separately and mix them with dressing right before serving.
What dressing works best with this salad?
The salad can be customized with your favorite dressing, but a light vinaigrette or Italian dressing complements the flavors well. For a creamier option, blue cheese dressing adds richness. Experiment with different dressings to find your favorite combination.
How can I make this salad more filling?
To make the salad more substantial, consider adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or quinoa. These protein options will not only enhance the flavor but also make the salad a complete meal, suitable for lunch or dinner.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).