 Pineapple spinach salad is a fun twist on the traditional strawberry spinach salad. There’s pineapple in every bite…because who really wants to eat spinach?
The other day my 3-year-old daughter responded to a request with “Whatever, Mom.”
It was in that same moment that I noticed not one, but two pimples on her face. Like the 13-year-old kind. Chicken or the egg, my friends? Is her attitude making her pre-pubescent or the other way around? And where is my toddler??
In other news, I’m trying to be healthy lately. It’s the wrong time of year for that (hello, fall baking) but I’m making an effort for the sake of my love handles. They have developed their own personalities lately, and it’s time for me to end my relationship with them. (Although I must say, I won’t be dismissing them entirely. How else could I wave them at people, like Jennifer Lawrence does?)
This salad was born in the produce section. I mean, obviously, but I just mean that I was literally in the produce section at Safeway, staring at the 7-dollar boxes of strawberries and craving a strawberry spinach salad like nobody’s business. I couldn’t justify it, not in any part of my penny pinching brain. But then my eyes fell on a $2.99 pineapple and I thought, well, why not?
I really like how tangy this salad is. The pineapple, the feta, even the dressing. If it sounds like too much to you, omit the mustard from the dressing, or up the sugar. It’s such a simple dressing; you could put lots of different spins on it. Let me know if you try this out!
P.S. I’m doing a guest post for a friend this Friday! It involves steak. And goat cheese. You know you want in. Stay tuned!
 Do you guys give up? Or are you thirsty for more?
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Pineapple Spinach Salad
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard, optional--taste it first
For the pecans:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
For the salad:
- 10-13 ounces spinach
- 1 pineapple, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 6 ounces feta
Instructions
- Combine all the dressing ingredients in a mason jar or tupperware. Shake vigorously and set aside.
- In a small pan, heat the butter over medium-high heat. When hot, add the pecans and stir to coat. Add the brown sugar and stir again. Stir occasionally until the sugar starts to caramelize, about 2-5 minutes. Remove to a wax paper lined cookie sheet and let cool.
- In a large bowl add the spinach, pineapple, and feta. Toss to combine. Sprinkle the top with pecans and serve with the salad dressing (you might not use all of it).
Notes
Nutrition
Source: The Food Charlatan
This dressing goes great on pretty much everything.
More great salads!
Spinach Bleu Cheese Salad with Poppyseed Dressing:
Orange -Olive Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette:
 Cilantro-Lime Cucumber Salad:
More awesome salads from blogdom:
Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad from Cooking Classy
Peach and Arugula Caprese Salad from Love and Olive Oil
Caramelized Onion, Pear, and Goat Cheese Salad w/Maple Vinaigrette from NeighborFood
This looks amazing! I’ve never added pineapple to salad before. That is definitely going to happen very soon :D Thanks for sharing
Can you just make this for me? I realllly wish I had some right now. :)
This is just how I like my spinach salad – heavy on the toppings! I love pineapple, and those pecans are calling my name. What a great salad!
I like the way you think! Good things come out of frugality. :)
I’m completely convinced that toddler girls are pint sized teenagers. It’s like God is giving us advanced preparation for the actual teenage years, because He loves us and doesn’t want us to go into complete shock. When Trinity was little she shouted loudly in the preschool parking lot for all to hear that I was “practically ruining” her life. So. Much. Fun.
Love the switch-up of pineapple for strawberries! And those pecans look to die for!
Also, just watched the JLaw video. She wins.
Strawberry Spinach Salad (or Triple S as I like to call it) is my jam, but this may give it a run for its money. Your pictures are divine as always. Thanks for including my Maple Salad!
This is such a pretty salad Karen! I’m totally obsessed – and pineapple is way better than strawberry in my opinion!! Pinned :)
Exactly – why the heck not?! Pineapple is the new strawberry and this salad looks delish!
I’m all about that tang, and feta!
These looks delicious, Karen!
Loving all the fresh flavours and vibrant colours of the produce in this salad. Great recipe and one that I must try!
Karen, pineapple on a salad looks so good… my love handles will thank you as well! Wondering how so many food bloggers are so tiny!?!
I love spinach salads! Well, when they have lots of fruit, toasted nuts, and a sweet dressing. I never thought to put pineapple in but it sounds/looks fantastic!