Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing

This classic spinach salad with warm bacon dressing is loaded with texture and flavor:

delicate spinach

, earthy mushrooms, juicy tomatoes, rich

hard-boiled eggs

, and crispy bacon. It all gets tossed in a warm dressing made with the bacon drippings for a crowd-pleasing side salad, but it’s also hearty enough to be a main dish as-is or topped with grilled chicken.

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, keep the eggs for another use and sauté the remaining ingredients until most of the moisture has evaporated. Add some beaten eggs and shredded mozzarella or Swiss for an oven-ready

frittata

that comes together in no time.

Ingredients for Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

With thick-cut bacon, mushrooms, boiled eggs, and tomatoes, this spinach salad isn’t the ho-hum spinach salad you might be used to. To make spinach salad with warm bacon dressing, you’ll need:

• 
  Thick-cut bacon:
  
  For a smoky, meaty addition.
• 
  Spinach leaves:
  
  The crisp base of the salad.
• 
  White or baby bella mushrooms:
  
  For an earthy, umami flavor and meaty texture.
• 
  Grape, cherry, or teardrop tomatoes:
  
  Adds a pop of color and juicy sweetness to the salad.
• 
  Olive oil:
  
  The base of the vinaigrette.
• 
  Shallot:
  
  For a mild, oniony flavor.
• 
  White wine vinegar:
  
  Acidity to brighten the vinaigrette.
• 
  Dijon mustard:
  
  Adds a tangy kick to the dressing.
• 
  Honey:
  
  Sweetness to bring balance to the vinaigrette.
• 
  Kosher salt and black pepper:
  
  Enhances the overall flavor.
• 
  Hard- or soft-boiled eggs:
  
  Additional protein and a creamy, rich texture in the salad that works well with the bacon and other ingredients. Boil your eggs to your preferred level of doneness—the salad won’t mind!

How To Make Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

A warm bacon dressing is worth every minute for the contrasting temperature, texture, and flavor it brings to this satisfying salad. Full instructions are below, but here’s a brief recap before you get started:

• 
  Step 1. Cook bacon:
  
  Cook bacon in a nonstick skillet until browned and crisp.
• 
  Step 2. Assemble salad ingredients:
  
  Place the spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes in a large bowl.
• 
  Step 3. Transfer bacon:
  
  Transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon; pour grease into a heatproof bowl.
• 
  Step 4. Make dressing:
  
  Transfer 3 tablespoons bacon grease to the skillet. Add shallots; cook, stirring, until softened.
• 
  Step 5. Add remaining ingredients:
  
  Turn off heat; stir in the vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
• 
  Step 6. Finish salad:
  
  Toss to coat the spinach mixture with dressing. Taste and re-season if needed, then top with eggs and reserved bacon.

Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing Variations

To change up this spinach salad according to your preferences or what you have on hand, consider these variations:

• 
  Greens:
  
  Swap the spinach with a spring mix, arugula, kale, or any preferred greens.
• 
  Bacon:
  
  Substitute the regular bacon with turkey bacon, pancetta, or just about any plant-based alternative.
• 
  Mushrooms:
  
  You can leave out the mushrooms, if preferred, or opt for drained sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or shaved Parmesan, for an umami-rich substitute.
• 
  Cheese:
  
  Add blue cheese, goat cheese, crumbled Cheddar, or shaved Parmesan for a cheesy addition.
• 
  Veggies:
  
  For even more color and flavor, add ripe avocado, bell peppers, olives, cucumber, or sliced red onions.
  
• 
  Protein:
  
  Turn this salad into a main course by adding shredded rotisserie or grilled chicken or steak.
• 
  Crunch:
  
  Top with croutons or toasted seeds and nuts for a crunchy contrast.

What To Serve with Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

This salad can be a welcome dish for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Pair with your

brunch favorites

for a light side salad that works well with a variety of dishes, from casseroles to quiche. Serve for lunch or dinner with grilled or roasted chicken, fish, steak, or shrimp, and bulk up the meal with garlic bread, roasted potatoes, pasta, rice, or other

favorite sides

.

How To Store Leftover Spinach Salad

Refrigerate leftovers of this spinach salad in an airtight container for up to two days—just note that it will wilt slightly. Store the eggs separately if possible. Past that point, the texture of the salad may begin to suffer. To repurpose leftovers, sauté the salad (minus the eggs) until most of the moisture has evaporated. Add some beaten eggs and shredded cheese, and bake for a delicious, low-effort frittata.

More Main-Dish Salad Recipes You’ll Love

These salads come together easily for a lunch or dinner option you’ll feel good about:

• 
  Chopped Salad
  
• 
  Chicken Tortellini Salad
  
• 
  BLT Salad with Buttermilk-Parmesan Dressing
  
• 
  Harvest Salad
  
• 
  Lemony White Bean Salad with Broccoli
  
• 
  Buffalo Chicken Salad
  
• 
  Southern Cobb Salad with Cornbread Croutons
  
• 
  Speedy Grain Salad with Sugar Snap Peas
  

Editorial contributions by

Katie Rosenhouse.