Who said salads have to be boring? Think warm, savory, and utterly irresistible. A wilted spinach salad with hot bacon dressing is the salad for anyone who wants something different. Picture this: fresh spinach leaves lightly wilted by a hot, savory bacon dressing, topped with crispy pieces of bacon.
🥓 What is Hot Bacon Dressing
Hot bacon dressing is a savory mix of crispy bacon, tangy vinegar, and a hint of sweetness, often from sugar or honey. It’s usually served warm, which makes it perfect for drizzling over salads or roasted vegetables. The bacon adds a rich, smoky flavor, while the vinegar provides a nice bite that cuts through the fat. It’s versatile, adding depth to dishes without overpowering them. It can be used as a topping for spinach salad or dip.
💭 The Perfect Greens: Choosing Your Spinach
When it comes to making a Wilted Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing, the star of the show is undoubtedly the spinach. But which type of spinach should you choose? And how can you keep it fresh?
Baby Spinach vs. Mature Spinach
Spinach comes in two main types: baby spinach and mature spinach. Each has its unique characteristics that make it suitable for different dishes. I prefer to use baby spinach in this recipe but mature spinach can be used too.
Baby Spinach:
- Texture: Baby spinach leaves are small, tender, and very delicate. They have a smoother texture, almost like a soft whisper on your taste buds.
- Flavor: The flavor is mild and slightly sweet, making it perfect for salads, especially when you want the spinach to complement other bold flavors.
Mature Spinach:
- Texture: Mature spinach leaves are larger, thicker, and have a bit more chew. The stems can be slightly tougher, adding a bit of crunch.
- Flavor: The taste is more robust and earthy. It can stand up to stronger flavors, which makes it ideal for cooked dishes but it still works wonders in a wilted spinach salad.
💭 How to Store Spinach for Maximum Freshness
Keeping your spinach fresh until you’re ready to whip up that delicious salad is crucial. Here are some handy tips:
- Dry it thoroughly: Spinach loves moisture, but too much can make it spoil quickly. After rinsing, dry the leaves with a salad spinner or by gently patting them with paper towels.
- Store in a container: Place the dry spinach in an airtight container or a resealable bag. Add a paper towel inside to absorb excess moisture.
- Refrigerate: Keep your container in the crisper drawer of your fridge. The cool, slightly humid environment in the crisper helps keep the spinach fresh longer.
- Avoid the back: Don’t store spinach at the back of the fridge where temperatures can fluctuate and cause wilting or freezing.
🧾 Ingredients
Get the full list of ingredients, with measurements, and step-by-step instructions at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.
- Thick-cut bacon cut
- Red onion
- Red wine vinegar
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Baby spinach
- Fresh strawberries
- Goat cheese crumbled
🍳 How to Make Warm Bacon Vinaigrette
Get the full list of ingredients, with measurements, and step-by-step instructions at the bottom of the post in the printable recipe card.
Make the hot dressing: In a medium skillet on medium-high heat, cook the bacon until it is crispy. use a slotted spoon to move the bacon from the frying pan to paper towels. Remove the excess bacon grease from the bacon and set it aside. Drain all but one tablespoon of the bacon drippings from the hot skillet. Add the chopped medium red onion and cook until it is soft. Add the vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard to the pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and the cooked bacon to the skillet. Simmer the dressing mixture while preparing the salad.
🍳 How to Make Warm Spinach Salad
Combine the salad: In a large bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, and goat cheese. Slowly pour the warm dressing over the top of the salad and toss to combine. Use as much dressing as you like. Transfer to a large serving platter or to individually chilled plates and serve.
🥄 Adding Extra Goodies: Optional Toppings for Spinach Salad Recipe
Creating the perfect Wilted Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing is just the beginning. The real fun starts when you get creative with toppings! Adding a mix of textures and flavors can turn a good salad into a great one. Let’s dive into some delicious optional toppings that will take your salad to the next level.
Crispy Add-Ons: Croutons and Nuts: Adding a crunchy element to your salad not only enhances texture but also gives a satisfying contrast to the soft, wilted spinach.
Sweet and Savory: Fruits and Cheese: One of the best ways to balance the savory bacon dressing is by adding a touch of sweetness and a bit of tang. Fruits and cheese are a match made in salad heaven.
- Berries: Blueberries or raspberries provide a sweet-tart flavor that complements the rich bacon dressing.
- Apples: Thinly sliced apples add a crisp and juicy contrast. Try using Granny Smith for a tart kick or Honeycrisp for extra sweetness.
- Pears: Soft and sweet, pears bring an elegant touch. Slice them thin for the best texture.
- Dried Fruits: Cranberries or raisins can add a chewy sweetness that works well with the saltiness of the bacon.
- Feta: Crumbly and tangy, feta cheese adds a sharp contrast.
- Goat Cheese: Soft and creamy, goat cheese provides a mild, slightly tangy flavor.
- Blue Cheese: For a bolder choice, blue cheese offers a pungent, rich taste.
- Parmesan: Shaved Parmesan brings a nutty, salty component that can’t be beat.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
As a Main Course
If you’d like to make this salad a more substantial meal, bulking it up with some proteins can turn it into a hearty main course.
- Grilled Chicken
- Shrimp
- Steak Strips
- Tofu
- Hard-Boiled Eggs
As a Side Dish
Wilted Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing is versatile enough to pair with a variety of main dishes.
Pair with Grilled Meats:
- Steak: A juicy steak with a side of this salad is a match made in culinary heaven. The salad’s tangy dressing balances the richness of the steak.
- Chicken: Whether roasted or grilled, chicken pairs wonderfully with the smoky flavors of the bacon dressing.
Seafood Companions:
- Salmon: The rich, oily taste of salmon is perfectly offset by the crisp, tangy spinach salad.
- Scallops: Seared scallops add a touch of elegance and pair beautifully with the warm bacon dressing.
Comfort Food Combinations:
- Pasta Dishes: Serve the salad alongside creamy pasta dishes to add a fresh, tangy contrast.
- Meatloaf: A slice of hearty meatloaf with a side of this salad elevates a classic comfort food.
Vegetarian Pairings:
- Stuffed Peppers: The salad’s bold flavors pair well with the comforting, hearty taste of stuffed peppers.
- Quiche: A slice of savory quiche or mini quiche with this salad on the side makes for a delightful, balanced meal.
📖More Salad Recipes
- The Best Mini Caprese Salad Skewers for Dinner Tonight
- Broccoli Salad
- 10 Green Leafy Salads for Meat & Seafood Lovers
- Asian Cabbage Salad with Peanut Dressing
- Raspberry Chicken Mixed Green Salad
Need to change the number of servings? You can click on the number of servings and change the number. This will adjust the ingredient measurements to what you need.
If you love this recipe, come back and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wilted Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
Ingredients
Hot Bacon Dressing
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon cut into 1” pieces
- ½ cup red onion diced small
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp honey preferably local
- ½ tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Salad
- 4 cup baby spinach rinsed and patted dry
- 8-10 large fresh strawberries sliced
- 4 oz. goat cheese crumbled
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
- Add bacon to a large skillet set over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until crispy, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer cooked bacon with a slotted spatula to a plate lined with paper towels. Blot excess grease from bacon with a paper towel and set aside.
- Carefully drain and discard all but one tablespoon bacon grease from the skillet and return to heat. (Wipe any drips with a thick, damp cloth to prevent a flare up if cooking over flame). Add the red onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add red wine, honey, and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste, and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until thoroughly combined and heated through, approximately 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and stir bacon and extra virgin olive oil into the skillet until combined. Continue simmering on low heat while preparing the salad.
- Add the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and goat cheese to a large mixing bowl. Pour hot bacon dressing on top and toss to combine. Transfer salad to a large serving platter or individual chilled plates and serve immediately. Enjoy!
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