Florida Spinach Salad
A vibrant and refreshing spinach salad featuring sweet orange segments, crunchy cashews, and tangy blue cheese, perfect for light lunches or summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In an electric blender or using an electric mixer in a small bowl, combine blue cheese, salad oil, grapefruit juice, and seasoned salt; cover.
- Blend until smooth or mix until well combined.
- Stir in sour cream.
- Cover and chill for at least 1 hour to blend flavors.
- Just before serving, combine spinach, orange sections, and cashew nuts with the dressing.
- Serve immediately.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider adding sliced strawberries or avocado to your salad. If blue cheese isn't your favorite, crumbled feta or goat cheese can be excellent substitutes. For a nut-free version, sunflower seeds can replace cashew nuts. Adjust the dressing by mixing in a splash of honey for sweetness, especially if you prefer a more balanced taste.
Serving Suggestions
This salad makes a refreshing side dish for grilled chicken or fish, especially during warm months. It pairs beautifully with Mini Cream Cheese Cupcakes for a delightful brunch. For added crunch, serve with toasted pita chips or crusty bread on the side. Consider serving it alongside a light vinaigrette for guests who prefer additional dressing options.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The dressing can be kept separately and used within a week. If reheating the dressing, do so gently to maintain its creamy texture. Avoid reheating the salad as it may wilt and lose freshness.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Florida Spinach Salad contains roughly 342 calories, with 8g protein, 28g carbohydrates, and 24g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (26% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1621mg per serving (70% 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 make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing separately and store them in the refrigerator. Just combine them right before serving to keep the spinach fresh and crisp. The dressing can be made up to a week in advance for convenience.
What can I use instead of grapefruit juice?
If grapefruit juice is too tart for your taste, orange juice can be a sweeter alternative. Alternatively, a mix of lemon and orange juice can provide a nice balance of acidity and sweetness, maintaining the freshness of the salad.
Is this salad suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, this Florida Spinach Salad is a fantastic option for vegetarian diets, as it features a variety of vegetables and protein-rich ingredients like cashews and blue cheese. Just ensure that the blue cheese is made without animal rennet if you require a strict vegetarian option.
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).