Candied Pecan And Spinach Salad With Balsamic Maple Dressing (Paleo & Vegan)

An easy, summertime candied pecan and spinach salad makes a quick meal. Topped with acai berries, blueberries, and an easy balsamic maple vinaigrette. This healthy summer salad makes for a great side dish or entree.

A summertime staple spinach salad is always awesome to have on hand. This summer salad recipe is perfect as a side dish or a main meal. Likewise, the best part is that it comes with a tasty twist: candied pecans!

Furthermore, the pecans really take no time at all. Even making them while you make the salad you’ll still have everything whipped up in under twenty minutes.

Thus, this recipe makes for a simple weeknight dinner idea or speedy lunch.

Don’t want to read? JUMP to the recipe.

How To Make The Pecans

Candied pecans are a classic fall recipe. However, they work well year-round as well.. They make a wonderful party snack or a “just because” snack as they’re super speedy but also loaded with healthy fats.

Moreover, in a salad, they also provide a tasty crunch and a nice twist to an otherwise basic recipe.

What About Oxalates

This is a tricky one as there is evidence both ways. It’s been said that eating a lot of foods with oxalates (spinach, kale, etc) can cause kidney stones and other build-up issues. Likewise, lightly steaming these vegetables can help make digestion better.

However, from what I’ve read this is only an issue in excessive amounts. Having spinach 1-2 times per week likely won’t cause any issues. 

Personally, I used to LIVE off green, spinach-based smoothies. I have since switched up my veggies and rotate more frequently however I still eat spinach and somewhat frequently.

You can check out a bit more about oxalates here. However, do your own research and do what you feel comfortable with.

Goji Berries

Adding in some dried fruit makes spinach salad far less boring. And while traditional options will work (cranberries, blueberries, etc), many dried fruits contain added sugars.

Goji berries are loaded in antioxidants and contain more Vitamin C than carrots. Furthermore, they’re a nice switch up from the same old raisins.

Adding Protein

This simple salad recipe is protein-free! It is absolutely tasty on its own. However, if you’re using it for a full meal (versus just a side) you may want to add a bit more to it. Personally, I like to top my spinach salad with:

• grilled chicken
• hardboiled egg
• hemp hearts

Spinach Salad Dressing

This balsamic maple dressing is a house staple. Whipped up in just two minutes,  the balsamic vinegar has a catch to it and the maple syrup balances it out.

However, any dressing will work and another favorite of mine is lemon poppyseed.

Creating Simple Dinners

If you’re looking for even easier, healthy dinner recipes, check out The Busy Moms E-Cookbook, where I’ve gathered 30 healthy dinner recipes that can be made in thirty minutes or less.

From easy vegan tacos to beef and quinoa chili, simple chicken pasta to a bok choy and mushroom bowl. Similarly, these dinner recipes share a few things in common:

• They are healthy and simple to make
• All of the recipes are dairy-free or could easily be made dairy-free
• The majority of the recipes are gluten-free
• All of the recipes are real-food based and focus on nutrients not fillers
• They’re all tasty!

Make dinner-time even LESS stressful. I’ve also included several bonus tips on food prep, pantry staples, and how to make healthy eating simple. Grab your copy of The Busy Mom’s E-Cookbook

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What Mixes Well With Spinach?

This particular spinach salad is simple and very nutrient-based. However, it also lends itself to add on other ingredients!

Fresh strawberries, feta (if you’re not vegan or dairy-free), hemp hearts, and avocados all pair well with the salad.

FAQ’s

Keep prep simple by interchanging items that you have in the fridge:

• strawberries work in place of blueberries
• any dried fruit will add delicious flavor (not just acai berries)

If you want to make this salad recipe whole30 compliant, you’ll need to opt for regular pecans in place of the candied one. Likewise, you’ll also need to use an alternate dressing or omit the maple syrup apple syrup is not whole30 approved.

Lastly, if whipping up this salad for later in the day, make sure not to toss it in the dressing. Otherwise, the spinach leaves will become soggy.

Don’t forget to pin this candied pecan and spinach salad!

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Candied Pecan Spinach Salad

An easy, summertime candied pecan and spinach salad makes a quick meal. Topped with acai berries, blueberries, and an easy balsamic maple vinaigrette

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 2 servings

Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients

• 4 cups spinach
• 1/8 cup goji berries
• 1 cup pecans
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1 mini cucumber
• 1/2 tbs olive oil for the pecans
• 1/8 tsp sea salt for the pecans
• 1 tbs maple syrup for the pecans
• 1 tbs olive oil for the dresing
• 2 tbs balsamic vinegar for the dressing
• 1/2 tbs maple syrup for the dressing

Instructions

1. Make The Pecans: Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, toss the pecans in the olive oil, syrup and sea salt. Line them on a piece of parchment paper on a tray.

2. Bake in the oven for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool. 

3. Meanwhile, make the salad. Toss the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and portion into two bowls.

4. Either whisk up the homemade dressing and pour on top. Serve.

5. Top with the candied pecans.

Recipe Notes

Keep prep simple by interchanging items that you have in the fridge:

• strawberries work in place of blueberries
• any dried fruit will add delicious flavor (not just acai berries)

If you want to make this salad recipe whole30 compliant, you'll need to opt for regular pecans in place of the candied one. Likewise, you'll also need to use an alternate dressing or omit the maple syrup apple syrup is not whole30 approved.

Lastly, if whipping up this salad for later in the day, make sure not to toss it in the dressing. Otherwise, the spinach leaves will become soggy.

Nutrition Facts

Candied Pecan Spinach Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 480 Calories from Fat 360

% Daily Value*

Fat 40g62%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Sodium 201mg9%

Potassium 811mg23%

Carbohydrates 30g10%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 19g21%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 5762IU115%

Vitamin C 26mg32%

Calcium 131mg13%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

An easy, superfood-loaded summertime salad recipe perfect for a warm night. This spinach salad is topped with candied pecans for an added crunch and rocks a maple balsamic dressing. Thus, a tasty side dish or a complete meal.