Huh. Who knew?
Are You Making This Mistake with Baby Spinach?
Updated on May 24, 2023
We all know spinach is a superfood. Just look at Popeye! You should add even more to your diet if you want to keep your brain and body healthy. But you’re making a big mistake with that box of baby spinach.
What’s the problem?
You’re using it too much!
Wait. What’s the difference?
Baby spinach is simply spinach leaves that are harvested before they fully mature. Regular “full leaf” spinach has larger, more mature leaves. We’ve got two compelling reasons that regular spinach wins out:
Regular spinach costs less.
Want to know an easy way to save more money on your grocery bill? Choose regular spinach. Baby spinach costs more! You don’t need to fork over the extra dough for baby spinach. You can also buy regular spinach in bulk, so you don’t have to buy more than you need.
Need another reason to skip the baby spinach?
Regular spinach tastes bolder.
When cooked, regular spinach actually tastes better than baby spinach. Crazy, right? But it’s true. Baby spinach tends to turn slimy and mushy when cooked. Regular spinach keeps a more palatable texture.
If you’re looking for a more flavorful option, choose regular spinach. And, remember, spinach is for more than salads!
How can you choose the best spinach?
When shopping for spinach, look for dark green crisp leaves. The leaves should not be yellowing or wilting, as that is a sign the spinach is already on its way into your garbage. Fresh spinach should keep well in your refrigerator for about a week when stored properly. Put your spinach in a container that will protect the leaves from getting crushed by other items.
Test Kitchen tip: Add dry paper towels to your spinach container to help the greens stay fresher longer.
Now that you know the secret about baby spinach, could you be making these other mistakes with produce?
Try Regular Spinach in These Super-Fresh Recipes
Watermelon and Spinach SaladTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, watermelon, cantaloupe, English cucumber
Level: Beginner
This spinach salad has lots and lots of fresh fruit. After a little chopping, it comes together quick.
Summer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Recipe contributor Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon DressingThis spinach salad with warm bacon dressing proves that it's not difficult to get through an entire bag of spinach if it's dressed in a tangy, mustardy, brown-sugar bacon vinaigrette. Customize this classic salad with any toppings you like.
Four-Berry Spinach SaladTotal Time: 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, berries, walnuts, poppy seeds
Level: Beginner
Allspice and a dash of cinnamon are the secret ingredients in this simple spinach salad. If you don't have all four berries (raspberries, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries), use more of one kind. Dried cranberries also work in a pinch!
Nature's candy abounds in the berry-filled salad. The slightly tart dressing contrasts deliciously with the sweet in-season fruit. —Recipe contributor Betty Lise Anderson, Gahanna, Ohio
Strawberry Chicken SaladJuicy berries, crisp sugar snap peas and crunchy pecans complement the lime-marinated chicken in this pretty salad. The homemade sweet-sour dressing is simply delicious. —Rebekah Radewahn, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Special Sesame Chicken SaladTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Bow tie pasta, spinach, cooked chicken, teriyaki sauce
Level: Beginner
This teriyaki-inspired salad recipe is one of many reasons we love to pick up a good grocery store rotisserie chicken. The leftover chicken tastes wonderful tossed with shredded spinach, peanuts, water chestnuts and an umami-rich dressing.
With its delicious mix of crunchy peanuts, tangy dried cranberries and mandarin oranges, this colorful Asian chicken salad is a definite crowd-pleaser. Water chestnuts and a teriyaki dressing give this main dish its Asian flare. —Recipe contributor Carolee Ewell, Santaquin, Utah
Special Radicchio-Spinach SaladTotal Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, radicchio, pine nuts, red onion, feta
Level: Beginner
Mix spinach with bitter radicchio to balance and mellow out the red cabbage's strong flavor. Sweet fruit and tangy feta bring the whole dish together.
Almost too pretty to eat, this colorful salad combines mint, chipotle pepper and honey to create a refreshing sweet-spicy flavor combination. —Recipe contributor Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Turkey Spinach Salad with Maple DressingTotal Time: 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, deli turkey, portobello mushrooms, hard-boiled egg
Level: Beginner
This quick and tasty salad is one of our favorite ways to use up a package of deli meat. Roll the salad in a whole-wheat tortilla for the perfect sandwich wrap.
My husband and I love to hike in New England. The maple syrup in Vermont is wonderful, and we always bring some home to extend the vacation spirit. This recipe I created reminds us of those lovely days. —Recipe contributor Jessica Gerschitz, Jericho, New York
Balsamic-Salmon Spinach SaladTotal Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Salmon fillet, spinach, avocado, walnuts
Level: Beginner
This easy salmon recipe is crunchy, colorful and satisfying. If you have a sweet tooth, swap in candied pecans for the walnuts.
This salmon spinach salad is really healthy and super fast. It's an absolute cinch to make after a long workday. —Recipe contributor Karen Schlyter, Calgary, Alberta
Kiwi-Strawberry Spinach SaladTotal Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, raspberry vinegar, strawberries, kiwi
Level: Beginner
Raspberry vinegar adds a sweet-tart punch to the dressing for this fruit-filled salad, but use any flavored vinegar you like. Toast the sesame seeds before adding them to the salad to bring out their warm, nutty flavor.
This pretty strawberry kiwi salad is always a hit when I serve it! The recipe came from a cookbook, but I personalized it. Sometimes just a small change in ingredients can create a big difference. —Recipe contributor Laura Pounds, Andover, Kansas
Three-Green SaladTotal Time: 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Lettuce, spinach, broccoli florets, Parmesan
Level: Beginner
This crunchy, colorful salad is loaded with vegetables and tossed with a zesty Italian dressing flavored with garlic and Parmesan. Serve with any of our pasta recipes to complete the meal.
For a crisp, refreshing side dish, this tasty salad can't be beat. It's the perfect salad to go with lasagna. —Recipe contributor Gina Squires, Salem, Oregon
Grilled Tuna SaladTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Tuna steaks, spinach, tomatoes, edamame
Level: Beginner
A bright citrus vinaigrette with lime, lemon and orange elevates this spinach salad. It's definitely worthy of company! To upgrade the dish with more zesty seasoning, marinate your tuna steak before throwing it on the grill.
I love serving this tuna spinach salad! Tuna steaks are quick to cook and delicious, and although they're pretty inexpensive, they always seem a little more elegant than canned tuna. You can find them at most meat and seafood counters. Try this salad with fresh bread and tall glasses of lemonade. —Recipe contributor De'Lawrence Reed, Durham, North Carolina
Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese and BeetsTotal Time: 45 minutes
Main Ingredients: Beets, spinach, goat cheese, walnuts
Level: Intermediate
Creamy-tart goat cheese makes a luscious counterpart to sweet beets and crunchy walnuts in this elegant salad. If you can't get enough of that goat cheese funk, work your way through our best goat cheese recipes.
Here's a super easy salad that looks and tastes festive for the wonderful Christmas season, but is also wonderful all year round. Vinaigrette dressing coats the greens nicely. —Recipe contributor Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario
Spinach Salad with Rhubarb DressingTotal Time: 20 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, rhubarb, bacon, cheddar, hard-boiled eggs
Level: Beginner
If you're looking for a flavorful salad that's filling enough to be lunch but not so heavy that it knocks you out for the afternoon, add this spinach salad to your repertoire. For the best-tasting eggs, read our guide to making perfect hard-boiled eggs.
Spinach salad is excellent with this tangy topping, which really perks it up. A friend shared a similar salad dressing recipe with me and I modified it a bit. The rhubarb adds rosy color and mouthwatering flavor. —Recipe contributor Twila Mitchell, Lindsborg, Kansas
Onion Orange SaladTotal Time: 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, oranges, red onion, blue cheese, almonds
Level: Beginner
Sweet and tangy with the crunch of slivered almonds, this satisfying salad hits all the right notes. We love funky crumbled blue cheese in this recipe to contrast with the sweet oranges, but for a slightly milder taste, use feta.
People always enjoy the bold flavors in this delightful salad. It's both delicious and beautiful. —Recipe contributor Zita Wilensky, North Miami Beach, Florida
Shrimp and Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon DressingTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Shrimp, bacon, spinach, roasted red peppers, almonds
Level: Beginner
If you can't resist bacon-wrapped shrimp, then you'll love this salad. For spinach that's slightly wilted rather than raw, toss the bacon dressing with the leaves before removing it from the heat for 15 to 20 seconds.
When I meet former co-workers for lunch at our favorite restaurant, we always order this salad. I wanted to share it with my husband, so I made it my mission to re-create it. Mission accomplished! —Recipe contributor Lisa Bynum, Brandon, Mississippi
Flat Iron Steak SaladTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Flat iron steak or top sirloin, spinach, avocado, radishes, blue cheese
Level: Beginner
There's nothing like a steak salad to inspire you to eat your greens, and this fresh spinach salad topped with juicy grilled steak does the trick. Sprinkle on homemade seasoned croutons for a satisfying crunch.
My steak salad with avocado and radishes is a big plate of summer deliciousness. I sometimes add dried cranberries and cherry tomatoes, but you can customize it to suit your tastes. —Recipe contributor Marla Clark, Albuquerque, New Mexico
BBLT Chopped SaladTotal Time: 10 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, broccoli, tomato, bacon, Miracle Whip, white vinegar
Level: Beginner
Miracle Whip is the creamy base for a simple vinaigrette that pulls this bacon-filled spinach salad together. For best results, choose the right type of bacon for the job.
My original BLT chopped salad recipe called for lettuce. One day I didn't have any, so I substituted spinach. I ended up making some more healthy adjustments to the dish, and the rest is history! —Recipe contributor Cindy VanBeek, Randolph, Wisconsin
Cranberry Orzo Spinach SaladTotal Time: 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Lemon, dried cranberries, green onion, orzo, spinach, feta
Level: Beginner
I like orzo recipes because the mini pasta perfectly absorbs the flavor of whatever sauce or vinaigrette it's tossed with. Swap in farro or brown rice if you don't have orzo in your pantry.
My daughter-in-law's sister brought a salad to a family function, and I immediately fell in love with it. When I got home, I created my own version of what is now the cranberry orzo spinach salad. With its citrusy vinaigrette, briny capers, salty feta and sweet-tart dried cranberries, it's the perfect combination of flavors. —Recipe contributor Jennifer Nystrom, Pooler, Georgia
Blackberry Balsamic Spinach SaladTotal Time: 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, blackberries, tomato, feta, walnuts
Level: Beginner
This impressive yet simple salad works well with just about any type of crumbly cheese, whether you use feta or opt for blue or goat cheese. The most important step is choosing fresh, bright green spinach from the store.
This lightly dressed salad is packed with superfoods! When I have time, I make my vinaigrette from scratch. —Recipe contributor Mary Lou Timpson, Colorado City, Arizona
Spinach Pasta SaladTotal Time: 30 minutes
Main Ingredients: Penne, Parmesan, spinach, tomato, feta, olives
Level: Beginner
If you're looking for a quick and easy pasta salad for a crowd, this potluck recipe is always a hit. Prepare it with any salad dressing you like, and experiment with pasta shapes. For a heartier salad, cheese tortellini is a satisfying swap for the penne.
This healthy recipe will shine as is, or double the vinaigrette and use half to marinate and grill chicken breasts if you want to add a protein. Slice and add to the salad. —Recipe contributor Benice Silver, Carmel, Indiana
Pomegranate Splash SaladTotal Time: 15 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, feta, pomegranate seeds, pine nuts
Level: Beginner
Cranberry juice concentrate is the lively star ingredient for a simple tart vinaigrette. Raspberries and pomegranate seeds add pops of sweet to the colorful salad, contrasting with tangy feta and rich, buttery pine nuts.
The sparkling pomegranate gems make this salad irresistibly beautiful. My family loves it at holiday gatherings when pomegranates are in season. Even the children can't get enough of this antioxidant-rich delight. —Recipe contributor Emily Jamison, Champaign, Illinois
Wilted Spinach Salad with Butternut SquashTotal Time: 45 minutes
Main Ingredients: Butternut squash, cranberry sauce, spinach, almonds, goat cheese
Level: Beginner
This festive spinach salad makes a pretty Thanksgiving side dish or an entree salad for any occasion. With lots of heart-healthy almonds, this salad is one of the tastiest ways to add nuts to your diet.
Make quick work of peeling butternut squash. First, prick it with a fork and give it 45 seconds in the microwave. Then, trim an inch from the base of the squash, making it stand up straight and tall while you run the peeler from top to bottom. —Recipe contributor Margee Berry, White Salmon, Washington
Pickled Beet Salad with Bacon VinaigretteTotal Time: 35 minutes
Main Ingredients: Spinach, pickled beets, red onion, radishes, bacon, goat cheese
Level: Beginner
Always keep a jar of pickled whole beets in your pantry so you can whip up this savory salad whenever the craving strikes. Or, pickle beets yourself and use them to jazz up sandwiches, salads and charcuterie plates.
Here's a festive, flavorful salad that comes together in a snap--perfect for time-crunched cooks. I love the contrasting tastes and textures of the beets, radishes, goat cheese and bacon. —Recipe contributor
Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Orange DressingTotal Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
Main Ingredients: Pumpkin or butternut squash, spinach, dried apricots, dried cranberries, goat cheese
Level: Intermediate
Whichever type of winter squash you use, this hearty spinach salad makes a beautiful side dish for roasted turkey or a spiral ham. Dried apricots and cranberries are delicious here, but feel free to mix it up and swap in chopped dried dates, figs or whatever you have on hand.
Roasted pumpkin and dried fruits make this beautiful seasonal salad a natural match for holiday recipes. The dressing is a light, tasty mix of honey, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top it all off with crumbled goat cheese for that final tangy touch. —Recipe contributor Sasha King, Westlake Village, California
Rice SaladTotal Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Main Ingredients: Brown rice, spinach, cherry tomatoes, green onion, feta cheese
Level: Intermediate
With nutty brown rice, feta and tangy garlic dressing, this Greek-inspired rice salad is excellent as a side or topped with simple proteins like grilled tuna steak or shrimp. Try to prepare this salad a few hours before eating so all the beautiful flavors have time to meld together.
My family and friends all love this salad, which they refer to as the Greek salad. The recipe makes enough to feed a crowd, so it's a perfect take-along for a big party. No matter what you're looking for—something with the Greek flavors you love or just a healthy, simple salad—this will not disappoint! If you'd like, substitute orzo for the rice. —Recipe contributor Sarah Hawkins, Wanatah, Indiana
And if you are a spinach lover you must try these baked and sauteed spinach side dish recipes.
Spinach Salad Recipes FAQ
Is baby spinach better for spinach salad recipes?
Because it's harvested before the spinach has time to fully mature, baby spinach leaves are more delicate and digestible than regular spinach, which makes them ideal for using raw in salads. They also have a lovely, slightly sweet flavor. If you're using regular fresh spinach in salads instead of baby spinach, chop it so it's easier to chew.
What is the best spinach salad dressing?
Spinach holds up to just about any homemade salad dressing, from citrus vinaigrette to a hot bacon vinaigrette. Poppy seed dressing is a popular choice for spinach salads because it accentuates spinach's natural sweetness. Check out this guide to the best dressing for every type of salad green for more tips.
How healthy is spinach salad?
Spinach is a wonderful source of vitamins A, C and K, as well as iron, folate and potassium. The leafy green is also low in calories while being high in antioxidants and fiber. Of course, dousing your spinach in hot bacon dressing will add fat and sodium to the equation, but the vegetable is still rich in many important nutrients. Peruse our healthy salad recipes for nutritious dinner ideas.
