Tropical Spinach & Bacon Medley Salad
This delightful Tropical Spinach & Bacon Medley Salad combines fresh baby spinach leaves with juicy pineapple chunks, savory crispy bacon, and creamy hardboiled eggs for a perfect balance of flavors. The addition of diced green onions adds a touch of brightness, while the homemade dressing—crafted from reserved pineapple juice, toasted sesame seeds, and zesty ground ginger—brings everything together, making it a refreshing dish. Prepare the dressing ahead of time to let the ingredients meld and chill in the refrigerator for maximum flavor. Ideal as a light lunch or a vibrant side dish for your next gathering!
4
Servings
133
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pineapple chunks
15 ounces (drained and juice reserved)
Baby spinach leaves
5 cups (washed and dried)
Bacon
6 slices (fried crisp and crumbled)
Hardboiled eggs
2 (chopped)
Green onion
1/4 cup (diced)
Salad oil
1/4 cup (for dressing)
Sesame seeds
2 tablespoons (toasted)
Pineapple juice
reserved from the can (for dressing)
White wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (for dressing)
Garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon (for dressing)
Ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon (for dressing)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the dressing. In a skillet, heat the salad oil over medium heat and add the sesame seeds. Cook, stirring frequently, until the seeds are golden brown and fragrant. Be careful not to let them burn.
2
Remove the skillet from the heat and let the sesame seeds cool slightly. Then add the reserved pineapple juice, white wine vinegar, garlic salt, and ground ginger to the skillet. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
3
Transfer the dressing to a sealed jar or container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.
4
In a large salad bowl, layer the baby spinach as a base, then add the pineapple chunks, crumbled bacon, chopped hardboiled eggs, and diced green onion on top.
5
Just before serving, give the dressing a good shake to mix and pour it over the salad. Toss gently to combine all ingredients, ensuring the spinach is well-coated.
6
Serve immediately as a light meal or side salad, enjoying the harmony of tropical and savory flavors.
Nutrition Information
9g
Fat
8g
Carbs
6g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropical Spinach & Bacon Medley Salad?
It is a refreshing salad that combines fresh baby spinach leaves with juicy pineapple chunks, savory crispy bacon, and creamy hardboiled eggs, tied together with a homemade ginger-sesame dressing.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
How many calories are in a serving of this salad?
Each serving contains 133 calories.
What are the fat, carbohydrate, and protein counts per serving?
One serving provides 9g of fat, 8g of carbohydrates, and 6g of protein.
What are the main ingredients in the salad?
The salad consists of baby spinach leaves, pineapple chunks, bacon slices, hardboiled eggs, and green onions.
What ingredients are used to make the dressing?
The dressing is made from salad oil, toasted sesame seeds, reserved pineapple juice, white wine vinegar, garlic salt, and ground ginger.
How long should the dressing be chilled before serving?
The dressing should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
How should I prepare the sesame seeds?
Heat the sesame seeds in salad oil over medium heat, stirring frequently until they are golden brown and fragrant.
What is the best way to prepare the bacon for this salad?
The bacon should be fried until it is crisp and then crumbled into pieces.
How should the hardboiled eggs be prepared?
The two hardboiled eggs should be chopped before being added to the salad.
Do I need to save the pineapple juice from the can?
Yes, the pineapple juice should be reserved and used as a key ingredient in the homemade dressing.
What kind of spinach is recommended?
The recipe calls for 5 cups of washed and dried baby spinach leaves.
How many slices of bacon are needed?
You will need 6 slices of bacon for this recipe.
How much green onion should I use?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of diced green onion.
What type of vinegar is used in the dressing?
The dressing uses 3 tablespoons of white wine vinegar.
How much garlic salt is in the dressing?
The dressing includes 1/2 teaspoon of garlic salt.
What amount of ground ginger is needed?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger for the dressing.
How should the salad be layered in the bowl?
Start with the baby spinach as a base, then top with pineapple, crumbled bacon, chopped eggs, and diced green onion.
When should the dressing be added to the salad?
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently just before serving.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 11 ingredients listed for this salad and dressing medley.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a quick dish to prepare.
What is the suggested serving size?
The recipe makes 4 servings, suitable as a light meal or side dish.
Can I serve this salad immediately after preparing the dressing?
It is better to wait at least 2 hours while the dressing chills for maximum flavor, but the salad itself is tossed just before eating.
What is the primary flavor profile of the dressing?
The dressing is zesty and aromatic, thanks to the combination of ground ginger, toasted sesame seeds, and pineapple juice.
How much salad oil is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of salad oil for the dressing.
What is the texture of the salad?
The salad offers a variety of textures, from the soft spinach and creamy eggs to the juicy pineapple and crunchy bacon.
Is this salad a good choice for a gathering?
Yes, it is described as a vibrant side dish ideal for gatherings.
How many tablespoons of sesame seeds are used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include salad, spinach, pineapple, bacon, quick, healthy, light dish, and refreshing.
How do I ensure the spinach is well-coated?
Toss the salad gently after pouring the dressing to ensure the spinach leaves are evenly covered.