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This easy avocado bacon spinach salad recipe has a mouthwatering honey mustard dressing that perfectly complements the crispy bacon and fresh spinach. It’s topped off with mozzarella!
Try my restaurant-style Homemade Guacamole Recipe or Avocado Corn Salad next.
Why you’ll love it
This avocado spinach salad is the best because not only does it look gorgeous, it tastes just as good as it looks! I’m one of those people who really enjoys a salad that’s hearty and packed with fresh and satisfying ingredients. This salad makes a fantastic main.
Picture this colorful avocado, bacon, and spinach salad at your next BBQ or picnic this summer. It’s the ideal crowd-pleasing salad since it’s so quick and easy to make for a lazy warm evening on the patio. You’ll love the homemade honey mustard dressing!
What you’ll need
For the salad
- Bacon – for that savory and delicious crunch
- Tomatoes – use grape, cherry, or any variety of little tomatoes that’s ripe and fresh
- Spinach – it’s a healthy and hearty leafy green
- Avocados – the creamy star of our salad. To find a ripe avocado, make sure that it’s fairly dark in color, just soft to the touch, and flick off the little nub to reveal green (not brown).
- Mozzarella – we’re using the mini kind that’s also known as bocconcini
- Red onion – this is the ideal variety for salads since it’s milder
For the dressing
- Yellow mustard – this is a typical American variety that’s quite mild
- Honey – for a touch of sweetness and that signature honey mustard taste
- Lemon juice – always use fresh lemon juice. It adds a little acidity for overall balance.
- Olive oil – for the base of the dressing
- Garlic powder – it adds an irresistible savory dimension
- Parsley – a burst of freshness
Tools for this recipe
Check out Natasha’s favorite kitchen essentials, gadgets, and cookware!
- Kitchen shears make cutting up the bacon simple.
- Use a classic metal whisk for making the dressing.
- I recommend this pair of scissor salad tongs for serving it up, and these glass jars are a favorite of mine to keep homemade salad dressing in.
How to make spinach salad with avocado and bacon
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Cut the bacon into small pieces. Fry until nice and crispy. Prep the rest of the salad ingredients, and add them to a large bowl. Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
Give the dressing a taste, season with salt & pepper, and adjust to your preferences. Dress the salad, toss, and enjoy immediately.
Substitutions and variations
- If mozzarella isn’t your thing, try substituting with feta instead.
- This salad is fairly flexible, so if there’s something you’re not fond of, simply leave it out.
- A handful of whatever fresh garden herbs you’ve got on hand would be great to throw in!
What to serve with this spinach salad
- I like to top it with my Quick Pickled Red Onions for an additional crunch.
- Since this salad is filling, it makes a fabulous meal on its own on a hot day. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread, and you’re all set.
- You can also serve it as a side dish along with other BBQ or potluck favorites like Tequila Lime Shrimp, my Cajun Grilled Corn on the Cob, or The Best Ground Chicken Burgers.
Leftovers and storage
- As with many salads, this bacon spinach salad is best eaten fresh.
- If you are planning on having leftovers or assembling it later, though, I’d store all of the ingredients separately and make a fresh salad when you’re ready and wait to cut up the avocado until the last minute.
Hope you enjoy this easy avocado spinach salad recipe! Did you make it? Let me know in the comments below, and tag me #saltandlavender on Instagram.
Avocado Bacon Spinach Salad
Ingredients
Salad:
- 6 strips bacon
- 10 ounces little tomatoes (e.g. grape or cherry) cut into halves
- 1 (5 ounce) package baby spinach
- 2 avocados diced
- 3.5 ounces mini fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
- Salt & pepper to taste
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into small pieces (I use kitchen shears to make this easy) and add it to a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry until crispy (about 10 minutes). Transfer cooked bacon to a paper towel lined plate.
- Meanwhile, add the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until combined.
- Prep your other salad ingredients and add them to a large salad bowl. Add the bacon in once it's cooled down a bit.
- Toss salad with dressing, season with salt & pepper as needed, and serve immediately.
Notes
- As always, adjust salad dressing ingredients to your tastes (e.g. add more lemon or oil).
- Serves 2 as a main course or 4+ as a side salad.
- This tasty salad recipe is also in chapter 7 of the Salt & Lavender: Everyday Essentials hardcover cookbook.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
© Salt & Lavender Inc. Content and photographs are copyrighted. Sharing this blog post is much appreciated, but copying and pasting full recipes without authorization to social media is strictly prohibited.
This recipe was originally published on June 11, 2018. It’s been updated with new photos and better instructions but is the same great recipe!
I made this for a 4th of July gathering and it was a huge hit! Will definitely make this again.
Wonderful! 😀 Thanks, Lisa!
This salad is amazing! Love all the flavors and the dressing really ties it together. Will be on repeat this summer too!
Yay!! I’m thrilled you liked it, Laura! 😀
Easy, delicious, and the dressing was great! I would recommend doubling the dressing recipe. It was so good we wanted more.
So glad it was a hit!! 😀 Thanks so much for taking the time to write me a review, Laurie!