Imagine a salad so deliciously simple yet incredibly flavorful that it transforms ordinary spinach into a culinary masterpiece. This Wilted Spinach Feta Salad is not just a side dish – it's a quick, elegant experience that brings together the peppery freshness of spinach, the tangy richness of feta, and the optional crispy indulgence of bacon in just 15 minutes. Whether you're a busy home cook looking for a fast meal or a food lover craving something extraordinary, this recipe will revolutionize your perception of salads forever.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by washing spinach thoroughly, crumbling feta cheese, thinly slicing red onion, and setting aside.
- If using bacon, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble when cool.
- Using the same skillet with bacon drippings (or clean skillet with olive oil), heat pan to medium-high temperature.
- Add sliced red onions to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until they become slightly translucent and begin to soften.
- Drizzle balsamic vinegar into the skillet, allowing it to sizzle and slightly caramelize the onions.
- Immediately add fresh spinach to the skillet, tossing quickly to slightly wilt the leaves. Cook for 1-2 minutes, ensuring spinach does not completely lose its bright green color.
- Remove spinach and onion mixture from heat and transfer to a serving bowl.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the warm spinach, and if using, add crumbled bacon.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately while spinach is still warm and slightly wilted.
Tips
- Choose the freshest spinach possible - look for vibrant green leaves without any yellowing or wilting.
- For maximum flavor, use high-quality feta cheese and extra virgin olive oil.
- If using bacon, cook it until perfectly crisp for maximum texture contrast.
- Work quickly when wilting spinach to maintain its bright green color and prevent overcooking.
- Serve immediately after preparation to enjoy the optimal temperature and texture.
- For a vegetarian version, replace bacon drippings with additional olive oil.
- Experiment with adding toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds for extra crunch.
- Use a cast-iron skillet if possible for more even heat distribution and better caramelization.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 150kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 20mg
