Are you looking for a quick, easy, and delicious salad to make for dinner?
Then you’ll love this costco spinach salad recipe! It is a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet, while still enjoying a tasty treat.
This salad is loaded with fresh spinach, crispy bacon, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing. Plus, it can be made in just a few minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights.
So keep reading to learn all about the costco spinach salad recipe and how to make it.
What is costco spinach salad?
The costco spinach salad recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make salad that combines fresh spinach, crunchy bacon, and a delicious vinaigrette. It is a famous dish from Costco, commonly referred to as Costco Wholesale Corporation.
It is the perfect meal for busy weeknights and is loaded with protein and vitamins. The costco spinach salad recipe is also a great way to incorporate more greens into your diet.
Why You’ll Love this costco spinach salad recipe?
This costco spinach salad recipe is a great way to get your daily dose of greens without sacrificing flavor.
The combination of fresh spinach, crunchy bacon, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing makes for a delicious and nutritious meal. Plus, it can be made in just a few minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights.
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The Ingredients
For the Lush Green Salad:
- 5 ounces of crisp, farm-fresh baby spinach, gently rinsed and delicately patted dry: Baby spinach serves as the base of the salad, providing a fresh and nutrient-packed foundation.
- 3/8 cup of thinly sliced button mushrooms, meticulously rinsed and drained: Sliced mushrooms add a savory and earthy flavor, complementing the greens.
- 2 tablespoons of sweet and tangy dried cranberries, adding a burst of color and sweetness: Dried cranberries contribute a chewy texture and a sweet-tart flavor, balancing the savory elements of the salad.
- 2 tablespoons of vine-ripened tomatoes, diced and bursting with freshness: Diced tomatoes add juicy freshness and a burst of acidity to the salad.
- 1.5 large hard-boiled eggs, precisely sliced for a protein-packed finish: Sliced hard-boiled eggs provide protein and richness to make the salad more satisfying.
- 3 slices of premium bacon, expertly cooked and artfully crumbled: Crumbled bacon adds a savory and smoky flavor, as well as a crispy texture.
- 1/2 cup of artisanal croutons, providing a satisfying crunch: Croutons add crunchiness and a toasty flavor, enhancing the overall texture of the salad.
- 1/4 cup of finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese, elevating the flavor profile: Shredded Monterey Jack cheese adds a creamy and mild flavor, complementing the other salad components.
- 2 tablespoons of thinly sliced red onions, for a hint of piquancy: Sliced red onions contribute a mild piquant flavor, adding a bit of sharpness to the salad.
For the Irresistible Poppy Seed Dressing:
- 1/4 cup of pure white vinegar, lending a bright acidity: White vinegar provides acidity to balance the sweetness and richness of the dressing.
- 3/8 cup of high-quality canola oil, ensuring a silky texture: Canola oil contributes to the dressing’s smooth and velvety texture.
- 1/2 tablespoon of freshly grated yellow onion, enhancing the dressing with a savory note: Grated onion adds a savory and aromatic element to the dressing.
- 1/8 teaspoon of carefully selected dry mustard, providing a hint of warmth: Dry mustard adds a subtle spiciness and depth of flavor to the dressing
- 2 tablespoons of fine granulated sugar, imparting a subtle sweetness: Sugar balances the acidity and enhances the overall flavor profile of the dressing.
- 1/2 teaspoon of premium salt, perfectly balancing the flavors: Salt enhances the flavors in the dressing, ensuring a well-rounded taste.
- 1/4 tablespoon of delicately incorporated poppy seeds, for a delightful visual and textural experience: Poppy seeds add a visually appealing speckle to the dressing and a slight crunch, enhancing the overall texture.
Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
Step 1: Gently Rinse and Pat Dry the Baby Spinach
Start by gently rinsing the crisp baby spinach. Pat it dry to ensure it’s clean and ready for the salad.
Step 2: Expertly Cook and Crumble the Premium Bacon
Cook premium bacon to a crispy perfection, showcasing culinary expertise. Once cooked, artfully crumble it for a savory addition to the salad.
Step 3: Thinly Slice the Button Mushrooms
Carefully slice the button mushrooms into thin pieces, ensuring uniformity in size for a balanced texture in the salad.
Step 4: Finely Shred the Monterey Jack Cheese
Take the Monterey Jack cheese and finely shred it, creating a luscious and creamy element in the salad.
Step 5: Slice the Red Onions
Slice the red onions into thin, even slices, adding a hint of sharpness and color to the salad.
Step 6: Dice the Vine-Ripened Tomatoes
Dice the vine-ripened tomatoes, providing juicy bursts of flavor throughout the salad.
Step 7: Slice the Hard-Boiled Eggs Precisely
Slice the hard-boiled eggs with precision, ensuring they complement the other ingredients in size and shape.
Assemble the Salad:
Step 8: Combine All Ingredients in a Salad Bowl
In a large salad bowl, bring together the baby spinach, crumbled bacon, artisanal croutons, sliced mushrooms, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, sliced red onions, diced tomatoes, and sliced hard-boiled eggs. This creates a vibrant and textured salad.
Prepare the Poppy Seed Dressing:
Step 9: Whisk Together the Dressing Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together canola oil, white vinegar, granulated sugar, grated yellow onion, salt, dry mustard, and poppy seeds. Ensure thorough incorporation for a well-balanced and flavorful dressing.
Dress the Salad:
Step 10: Drizzle the Dressing Over the Salad
Drizzle the irresistible poppy seed dressing over the lush green salad, ensuring every ingredient gets a delightful coating.
Toss and Serve:
Step 11: Gently Toss the Salad
Gently toss the salad to evenly distribute the dressing on all ingredients, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Garnish and Enjoy:
Step 12: Optionally Garnish and Serve
Optionally, garnish with additional poppy seeds for visual appeal. Serve the Costco-style spinach salad with poppy seed dressing immediately and enjoy this nutritious and visually appealing culinary creation.
Notes
Here are a few tips to make sure your costco spinach salad recipe is perfect every time:
-Make sure to use fresh spinach for the best flavor.
-If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can substitute balsamic vinegar.
-You can add other ingredients such as hard-boiled eggs, feta cheese, or sun-dried tomatoes for a more flavorful salad.
-If you want a creamier dressing, you can add a teaspoon of mayonnaise.
-Be sure to season the salad with salt and pepper to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
-If you don’t have walnuts, you can substitute chopped almonds or pecans.
Nutrition Information
This costco spinach salad recipe is a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. One serving contains approximately:
-Calories: 280
-Protein: 10g
-Carbs: 5g
-Fat: 28g
-Fiber: 4g
How to store costco spinach salad?
The costco spinach salad recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Variations
-For a vegetarian version, you can omit the bacon and substitute crumbled tofu.
-For a vegan version, you can omit the bacon and use a vegan vinaigrette.
-For a spicier version, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
-For a sweeter version, you can add a tablespoon of honey to the dressing.
-For a creamier version, you can add a dollop of plain yogurt to the dressing.
-For a heartier version, you can add a cup of cooked quinoa to the salad.
Equipment
- Bowl
- blender spatula etc
Ingredients
- 5 ounces of crisp farm-fresh baby spinach, gently rinsed and delicately patted dry
- 3/8 cup of thinly sliced button mushrooms meticulously rinsed and drained
- 3/8 cup of thinly sliced button mushrooms meticulously rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons of sweet and tangy dried cranberries adding a burst of color and sweetness
- 2 tablespoons of vine-ripened tomatoes diced and bursting with freshness
- 1.5 large hard-boiled eggs precisely sliced for a protein-packed finish
- 3 slices of premium bacon expertly cooked and artfully crumbled
- 1/2 cup of artisanal croutons providing a satisfying crunch
- 1/4 cup of finely shredded Monterey Jack cheese elevating the flavor profile
- 2 tablespoons of thinly sliced red onions for a hint of piquancy
- 1/4 cup of pure white vinegar lending a bright acidity
- 3/8 cup of high-quality canola oil ensuring a silky texture
- 1/2 tablespoon of freshly grated yellow onion enhancing the dressing with a savory note
- 1/8 teaspoon of carefully selected dry mustard providing a hint of warmth
- 2 tablespoons of fine granulated sugar imparting a subtle sweetness
- 1/2 teaspoon of premium salt perfectly balancing the flavors
- 1/4 tablespoon of delicately incorporated poppy seeds for a delightful visual and textural experience
Instructions
- Gently rinse and pat dry the crisp baby spinach.
- Expertly cook the premium bacon until crispy, then artfully crumble it.
- Thinly slice the button mushrooms, finely shred the Monterey Jack cheese, and slice the red onions.
- Dice the vine-ripened tomatoes and slice the hard-boiled eggs precisely.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the baby spinach, crumbled bacon, artisanal croutons, sliced mushrooms, shredded cheese, dried cranberries, sliced red onions, diced tomatoes, and sliced hard-boiled eggs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together canola oil, white vinegar, granulated sugar, grated yellow onion, salt, dry mustard, and poppy seeds. Ensure a thorough incorporation for a well-balanced dressing.
- Drizzle the irresistible poppy seed elixir over the lush green salad.
- Gently toss the salad to ensure even coating of the dressing on all ingredients.
- Optionally, garnish with additional poppy seeds and serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to use fresh spinach for the best flavor.
- If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can substitute balsamic vinegar.
- You can add other ingredients such as hard-boiled eggs, feta cheese, or sun-dried tomatoes for a more flavorful salad.
- If you want a creamier dressing, you can add a teaspoon of mayonnaise.
- Be sure to season the salad with salt and pepper to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- If you don’t have walnuts, you can substitute chopped almonds or pecans.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this salad suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this salad can be made vegetarian by omitting the bacon and substituting crumbled tofu.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Can I add other ingredients to the salad?
Yes, you can add other ingredients such as hard-boiled eggs, feta cheese, or sun-dried tomatoes.
What can I use instead of walnuts?
If you don’t have walnuts, you can substitute chopped almonds or pecans.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes, you can make this salad vegan by omitting the bacon and using a vegan vinaigrette.
Conclusion
This costco spinach salad recipe is a great way to get your daily dose of greens without sacrificing flavor. The combination of fresh spinach, crunchy bacon, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing makes for a delicious and nutritious meal.
Plus, it can be made in just a few minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights. So give this costco spinach salad recipe a try and enjoy a healthy and flavorful meal!
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Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more