Description
A delicious side dish featuring fresh baby spinach wilted by a hot, smoky bacon vinaigrette, creating a perfect contrast of textures and flavors for any dinner party.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 ounces (170-225g) baby spinach
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley and chives), chopped
- 6–8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Slice the red onion thinly and soak in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor. Chop herbs and mince garlic.
- Place bacon slices in a cold skillet and cook over medium heat for 4-6 minutes until crispy. Remove to paper towels and drain, leaving 1 tablespoon of grease in the pan.
- Whisk together vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Turn skillet heat to low and pour the vinegar mixture into the hot bacon grease. Simmer for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly, until garlic is cooked and honey is dissolved. Remove from heat.
- Place spinach, drained red onion, and herbs in a large mixing bowl. Crumble the cooked bacon.
- Pour the warm dressing over the spinach while it is still hot.
- Toss vigorously with tongs until spinach is coated and slightly wilted. Serve immediately.
Notes
Soak red onion in ice water to reduce sharpness. Use thick-cut bacon for crispiness. Do not let the vinegar mixture boil when pouring over spinach to avoid mushy leaves. Serve immediately for best texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 12
Keywords: spinach salad, warm bacon vinaigrette, dinner party side, easy salad, bacon dressing, healthy side dish