Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Spinach Salad is a classic and savory recipe, which is made with crispy bacon and fresh mushrooms. It’s the perfect side dish for any meal, ready in about 20 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Spinach Salad Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- 4 tablespoons reserved bacon fat
- ¼ cup finely chopped shallots
- 2½ tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1½ tablespoons honey
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon salt
- Several grinds fresh black pepper
For the Salad:
- 8 slices bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces
- 6 oz (about 8 cups) baby spinach
- 8 oz white button or baby bella mushrooms, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 3 hard or soft boiled eggs, thinly sliced or cut into wedges
How To Make Pioneer Woman Spinach Salad
- Cook the bacon: Place the bacon pieces in a medium nonstick skillet and fry over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp.
- Prepare the dressing base: While the bacon cooks, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper in a large salad bowl.
- Sauté the shallots: Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour the rendered bacon fat into a heatproof bowl, then return 4 tablespoons of the fat to the skillet. Add the shallots and cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until softened but not browned.
- Finish the warm dressing: Pour the hot bacon fat and shallot mixture from the skillet into the large bowl with the vinegar mixture and whisk to combine.
- Assemble and serve: Add the baby spinach and sliced mushrooms to the bowl with the warm dressing and toss to coat everything evenly. Divide the salad among four plates. Top each salad with the sliced eggs and the crispy bacon pieces. Serve immediately.
Recipe Tips
- How to prevent the spinach from getting too wilted? The key is to toss the spinach with the warm dressing just before you plan to serve it. The residual heat will wilt the spinach slightly, which is the classic texture for this salad, but if it sits for too long, it can become overly soft.
- Can I make this ahead of time? The components can be prepared in advance. You can cook the bacon, boil the eggs, and mix the cold part of the dressing ahead of time. When you’re ready to serve, simply heat the bacon fat, cook the shallots, and combine everything as directed.
- What are shallots? Shallots are a member of the onion family but have a milder, sweeter, and more delicate flavor than a regular onion, making them perfect for dressings.
- Can I use a different type of green? While baby spinach is classic, this salad would also be delicious with a sturdy green like curly endive or a mix of spring greens.
What To Serve With Spinach Salad
This hearty salad is a fantastic side dish that pairs perfectly with many main courses.
- Grilled or Roasted Chicken
- Pan-Seared Salmon or other fish fillets
- A simple steak or pork chop
- Quiche or a savory tart
How To Store Spinach Salad
- Refrigerate: This salad is best enjoyed immediately after it’s been tossed with the warm dressing. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one day, but the spinach will become significantly more wilted.
Spinach Salad Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 338kcal
- Fat: 26g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Protein: 14g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I make this vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, you can omit the bacon and use 4 tablespoons of olive oil or a plant-based butter to cook the shallots. For a smoky flavor, you could add a pinch of smoked paprika to the dressing and top the salad with toasted, salted pecans instead of bacon.
Can I use a different kind of vinegar?
Yes. If you don’t have cider vinegar, red wine vinegar or even a good quality balsamic vinegar would be a delicious substitute.
Do I have to use mushrooms?
No, if you’re not a fan of mushrooms, you can simply omit them from the recipe. The salad will still be delicious with just the spinach, eggs, and bacon.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Taco Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Hot Chicken Salad Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Greek Salad Recipe
Pioneer Woman Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Recipe
Description
A classic and comforting salad that combines fresh spinach, mushrooms, and hard-boiled eggs with a delicious warm bacon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Fry the bacon in a skillet until crisp; remove bacon and set aside, reserving 4 tbsp of the fat in the skillet.
- In a large salad bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- In the skillet with the bacon fat, gently cook the shallots over low heat for 1-2 minutes until soft.
- Pour the hot bacon fat and shallot mixture into the vinegar mixture and whisk to combine.
- Add the spinach and mushrooms to the bowl and toss with the warm dressing.
- Divide the salad among plates and top with the sliced eggs and crispy bacon.
Notes
- u003cliu003eDon’t let the shallots brown; you want them to be soft and sweet.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis salad is best served immediately while the dressing is still warm and the bacon is crispy.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best flavor, use a good quality, thick-cut bacon.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe combination of sweet, salty, tangy, and savory makes this a perfectly balanced salad.u003c/liu003e
