Savory Wilted Spinach Salad with Crispy Bacon
This delightful Wilted Spinach Salad combines fresh spinach with crispy bacon, tangy vinegar dressing, and the richness of hardboiled eggs for a dish that’s both vibrant and satisfying. Perfect as a starter or side dish, this salad is guaranteed to impress your guests. Just before serving, pour a hot, savory dressing over the salad to wilt the spinach slightly, enhancing its flavor and texture. This recipe comes from my cherished collection in an old Farm Journal cookbook, proving that simple ingredients can create a spectacular dish.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
spinach
6 cups (washed, drained very well, and torn into bite-size pieces)
green onion
1/4 cup (sliced)
hardboiled eggs
3 (coarsely chopped)
bacon
5 slices (chopped)
vinegar
1/4 cup (none)
sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
water
2 tablespoons (none)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large salad bowl, combine the torn spinach, sliced green onions, and coarsely chopped hardboiled eggs; set aside.
2
In a skillet, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon and drain it on paper towels.
3
Carefully pour off all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings from the skillet.
4
Add the vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet with the reserved bacon drippings. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it reaches a boil, stirring to ensure the sugar and salt dissolve completely.
5
Pour the hot dressing over the spinach mixture in the salad bowl. Gently toss to combine, allowing the heat to wilt the spinach slightly.
6
Finish by sprinkling the crispy bacon on top before serving, and enjoy your savory salad warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Wilted Spinach Salad with Crispy Bacon?
It is a classic salad combining fresh spinach, crispy bacon, and hardboiled eggs with a hot vinegar dressing that slightly wilts the leaves.
What are the primary ingredients?
The main ingredients include spinach, green onions, hardboiled eggs, bacon, vinegar, sugar, water, salt, and pepper.
How much spinach is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 cups of washed, drained, and torn spinach.
How should the spinach be prepared?
Spinach should be washed, drained very well, and torn into bite-size pieces before assembly.
What type of onions are used in this salad?
This recipe uses 1/4 cup of sliced green onions.
How many eggs are needed and how are they prepared?
You will need 3 hardboiled eggs, which should be coarsely chopped.
How much bacon is used?
The recipe requires 5 slices of bacon, chopped and cooked until crispy.
What is the first step in the instructions?
Combine the torn spinach, sliced green onions, and chopped hardboiled eggs in a large salad bowl.
How do you cook the bacon?
Cook the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, then drain on paper towels.
Do I keep the bacon drippings?
Yes, you should reserve 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet for the dressing.
What makes up the hot dressing?
The dressing is made of reserved bacon drippings, 1/4 cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt, and pepper.
How much sugar is used in the dressing?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of sugar.
What are the measurements for salt and pepper?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
How do you prepare the dressing?
Heat the vinegar mixture in the skillet over medium heat until it boils, stirring to dissolve the sugar and salt.
How is the spinach wilted?
The spinach is wilted by pouring the hot dressing over the salad mixture and tossing it gently.
When should the bacon be added to the salad?
Sprinkle the crispy bacon on top of the salad just before serving.
What is the recommended serving temperature?
This savory salad should be enjoyed while it is still warm.
What is the origin of this recipe?
This recipe comes from a cherished collection in an old Farm Journal cookbook.
Can this recipe be served as a starter?
Yes, it is described as being perfect as a starter or a side dish.
Is this a healthy recipe choice?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and uses fresh spinach as the primary base.
How much vinegar is needed?
The dressing requires 1/4 cup of vinegar.
How much water is added to the dressing?
Add 2 tablespoons of water to the dressing mixture.
What is the ingredient count for this recipe?
There are 9 distinct ingredients required for this salad.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as easy and involves simple preparation steps.
What kind of texture should the bacon have?
The bacon should be cooked until it is crispy.
What tools are needed to cook the bacon?
A skillet and a slotted spoon are recommended for cooking and removing the bacon.
Is this considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal, making it ideal for busy schedules.
What is the role of hardboiled eggs in this dish?
They provide richness and complement the flavor and texture of the spinach and bacon.
Why is it important to boil the dressing?
Boiling ensures the sugar and salt dissolve completely for a smooth flavor.
What should I do just before serving?
Toss the salad with hot dressing to wilt it slightly and then top with the reserved bacon.