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    Home » Dairy Free Recipes

    Aug 24, 2021 · Modified: Mar 9, 2023 by Chelsea · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads ·

    Bacon, Spinach, and Red Onion Salad

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    I know — a Bacon, Spinach, and Red Onion Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette seems pretty simple. It is. But oftentimes, some of the simplest, most straightforward recipes are the best!

    This healthy spinach salad recipe uses just a handful of ingredients. It's gluten free, paleo, low carb, and keto. There are multiple ways to customize this recipe, so read on for those tips!

    Spinach with bacon and red onion in a white ceramic bowl

    Simple ingredients for a healthy spinach salad recipe

    As far as spinach salad ideas go, this one's a classic! And you don't have to pull many crazy ingredients together for it, either.

    Simple is best for a salad like this one.

    You'll need:

    • Fresh, washed and dried spinach
    • Bacon, preferably thick cut and nitrate free
    • Red onion
    • Apple cider vinegar
    • Olive oil
    • Reserved bacon fat

    And that's it!

    • Spinach salad with red onion and bacon in a white ceramic bowl
    • Bacon, red onion, and spinach salad in a white ceramic bowl

    Add some zest: how to customize bacon, spinach, and red onion salad

    Need a boost of protein? Add a couple quartered hard-boiled eggs just before serving.

    In search of a little sweet addition? Add ¼ cup or so of unsweetened or apple juice-sweetened dried cranberries.

    Want a bigger flavor punch? Add crumbled bleu cheese. Props if you get some really funky stuff.

    Have any other suggestions? Drop them in the comments below!

    Do I need to trim the spinach?

    No. Unless the stems of the spinach are particularly rigid and tough, I personally don't see much benefit to trimming the spinach.

    If I were serving this bacon, spinach, and red onion salad for guests and I was really looking to coax them into eating spinach, I might reconsider. (Although the bacon definitely helps with that.)

    However, generally for spinach salads I end up chopping the spinach up a bit before tossing with other ingredients. If you do this, though, you don't have much hope for saving leftovers. But I find spinach salads easier to manage if I'm not ungracefully shoving full leaves of spinach into my mouth.

    You do you, though! For the photos, I left the leaves intact because it's prettier that way. #foodphotographerprobs

    • Spinach salad with red onion and bacon in a white ceramic bowl
    • Spinach salads with macerated onions and crispy bacon in a white ceramic bowl

    More easys summer salad recipes to try

    • Mediterranean Tomato & Cucumber Salad
    • Best Greek Salad with Lemon Oregano Vinaigrette
    • Chopped Spinach Salad with Sunbutter Vinaigrette
    • Watermelon Arugula Salad with Chili Honey Lime Dressing
    • Easy Cucumber Salad
    Print
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    Spinach with red onion and bacon in a white ceramic bowl

    Bacon, Spinach, and Red Onion Salad

    • Author: Chelsea Joy
    • Prep Time: 20 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: Salad
    • Method: Stovetop
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Simple and easy, this red onion, bacon, and spinach salad makes a perfect summer accompaniament to any meal! I macerate the red onions to lessen their bite — if you've never done it before, give it a try!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
    • 4 slices bacon
    • 3 tablespoons reserved bacon drippings
    • 2 cups fresh spinach (6 ounces spinach)

    Instructions

    1. Put the sliced red onions in a jar and add apple cider vinegar. Set aside for at least 15 minutes to let the onions macerate.
    2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Chop the bacon into 1-inch pieces and add to the skillet, stirring for 8 minutes or until the pieces are browned and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the pieces from the skillet to a plate and set aside. Reduce heat to low. Discard all but 3 tablespoons of bacon fat.
    3. Add the onion and apple cider vinegar mixture to the skillet, stirring briefly to combine. Remove from heat.
    4. Add the spinach to a large bowl, then pour in dressing and onions. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

    Keywords: bacon red onion spinach salad, spinach salad

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @chelseajoyeats on Instagram and hashtag it #chelseajoyeats

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    Hello! I'm Chelsea, the author, recipe developer, and photographer behind Chelsea Joy Eats (formerly DoYouEvenPaleo). Life should be full of flavor, and I've made it my mission to bring you recipes and lifestyle advice that do just that. Most of the recipes here are paleo and gluten free! Want to know more?

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