A Winter Salad – Spinach, Apple, Gorgonzola & Candied Walnuts
Introduction
A Winter Salad with Spinach, Apple, Gorgonzola, and Candied Walnuts is the ultimate answer for those seeking vibrant freshness on chilly days. With its harmonious blend of tangy cheese, crunchy apples, and sweet-spiced walnuts, this salad brings a brilliant color and flavor to your winter table. It’s perfect as a fulfilling dinner salad or as an impressive side when entertaining guests.
Why This Winter Salad Is a Seasonal Standout
This salad recipe dazzles with contrasts: the earthy richness of baby spinach and Gorgonzola pairs beautifully with the crisp, juicy sweetness of apple and the caramelized crunch of candied walnuts. The result is a sophisticated, crowd-pleasing dish that’s quick to assemble and sure to convert even the most devoted soup lovers to salads—even in winter!
How to Make Perfect Candied Walnuts
Candied walnuts are the heart of this salad, adding sweet crunch and warmth. Gently toast walnuts in a skillet with a mix of brown sugar and butter until caramelized—just a few minutes yields a batch of irresistibly glossy nuts. Let them cool before tossing them into your salad for that craveable bite in every forkful.
A Balanced Salad for Dinner or Entertaining
This winter salad works both as a hearty main for dinner and a festive starter. Layer fresh baby spinach with thin slices of crisp apple, scatter over chunks of Gorgonzola, and sprinkle candied walnuts. Drizzle with a tangy homemade balsamic vinaigrette and serve immediately for a dish that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
Serving Suggestions for Your Winter Salad
Elevate this salad by serving it on a chilled platter and topping with pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries for extra winter flair. Pair with crusty bread and a warming soup for a complete meal, or alongside roasted meats for a seasonal dinner spread that feels elegant yet effortless.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe makes 4 generous servings. Per serving, you’ll enjoy approximately 320-350 calories, mostly from healthy fats (walnuts), lean protein (cheese), and complex carbs (fruit and greens). The dish is gluten-free and can be made vegetarian by using a vegetarian Gorgonzola or blue cheese.
Winter Salad Recap
A Winter Salad with Spinach, Apple, Gorgonzola & Candied Walnuts delivers a satisfying mix of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors—a meal-worthy salad that brings brightness and balance to your winter table.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and smart meal planning.
Instructions
- Make the candied walnuts: In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add walnuts, brown sugar, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir continuously until the sugar melts and coats the nuts, about 3-4 minutes. Spread on parchment paper to cool.
- Prepare the vinaigrette: Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Assemble the salad: Place spinach in a large bowl or serving platter. Top with sliced apples, crumbled Gorgonzola, and candied walnuts. Add cranberries or pomegranate seeds if using.
- Dress and serve: Drizzle with vinaigrette just before serving and toss gently to combine.
Weekly Meal Planning
This salad shines as part of your weekly meal rotation. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly plan when to prepare it and generate a dynamic shopping list that consolidates all ingredients from your weekly menu.
Planning Benefits:
- Calculates total ingredient quantities across all of your recipes
- Organizes shopping by grocery store section for stress-free trips
- Prevents duplicates so you never buy the same ingredient twice
- Simplifies weekly meal prep and keeps everything organized
Pro tip: If you’re also making another winter salad or a soup for the week, schedule your recipes so CookifyAI calculates just the right number of apples, spinach, or walnuts—all in a single, easy-to-use list.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
