Costco spinach salad recipe – Bex’s Kitchen

Costco spinach salad is one of the most popular salads that you can find in the store. It is made with fresh spinach, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and croutons.

The dressing is usually a sweet and tangy combination of mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar, and mustard. It is a great side dish for a summer barbecue or a light lunch. It is also a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.

In this blog post, we will discuss what is Costco spinach salad and why you should make it. We will also discuss the ingredients, directions, notes, storage tips, nutrition information, serving suggestions, and other relevant topics. Finally, we will answer some frequently asked questions.

What is Costco Spinach Salad?

Costco Wholesale Corporation, often abbreviated as Costco, is an American multinational corporation that runs a series of membership-only retail stores featuring large-scale warehouse club establishments.

Costco spinach salad is a classic dish that is made with fresh spinach, hard-boiled eggs, bacon, and croutons. The salad is dressed with a sweet and tangy combination of mayonnaise, sugar, white vinegar, and mustard.

 It is a great side dish for a summer barbecue or a light lunch. It is also a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.

Why You’ll Love this Costco Spinach Salad?

There are many reasons why you should try this Costco spinach salad recipe. First, it is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. 

Second, it is a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. Third, it is a great side dish for a summer barbecue or a light lunch. Finally, the sweet and tangy dressing adds a unique flavor to the salad.

You will also like the following Salad recipes!

• Copycat Costco Fruit Salad Recipe
• How to make Costco Greek Pasta Salad
• Best Costco Potato Salad Recipe

The Ingredients

For the Salad:

3 slices of Artisanal Bacon, meticulously cooked and expertly crumbled: Bacon adds a savory and smoky flavor to the salad. Meticulously cooking and expertly crumbling it ensures the perfect texture and enhances the overall richness of the dish.

5 ounces of Freshly Harvested Baby Spinach, delicately rinsed and gently patted dry: Baby spinach serves as the leafy green base for the salad. Delicately rinsing and patting it dry maintains its freshness and ensures a clean, crisp texture, providing a nutrient-packed foundation.

1/2 cup of Golden Croutons, handcrafted for a perfect crunch: Golden croutons contribute a perfect crunch and a satisfying texture to the salad. Handcrafting them ensures quality and adds a delightful contrast to the tender spinach leaves.

1/4 cup of Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese, aged to exquisite perfection: Shredded Monterey Jack cheese adds a creamy and mellow flavor to the salad. Aged to exquisite perfection, it provides a luxurious texture and complements the other salad ingredients.

3/8 cup of Sliced Button Mushrooms, precisely measured and rinsed to perfection (approximately 6 tablespoons): Sliced mushrooms add an earthy and umami flavor to the salad. Precise measurement and rinsing ensure uniformity and freshness, enhancing the overall taste.

2 tablespoons of Sliced Red Onions, artfully prepared for a touch of mild pungency: Sliced red onions contribute a mild pungency and a pop of color to the salad. Artful preparation ensures an appealing presentation and a balanced flavor profile.

2 tablespoons of Plump Dried Cranberries, adding a burst of sweet-tart goodness: Dried cranberries provide a burst of sweet-tart goodness, adding a fruity and vibrant element to the salad. They contribute both flavor and visual appeal.

2 tablespoons of Chopped Tomatoes, ripe and vibrant: Chopped tomatoes add freshness and juiciness to the salad. Ripe and vibrant tomatoes contribute a burst of color and enhance the overall taste with their natural sweetness.

1.5 Large Hard-Boiled Eggs, carefully sliced to preference: Hard-boiled eggs add protein and a creamy texture to the salad. Carefully slicing them ensures an even distribution throughout the dish.

For the Poppy Seed Dressing:

6 tablespoons of Cold-Pressed Canola Oil (equivalent to 3/8 cup), sourced from the finest oilseeds: Canola oil serves as the base for the dressing, providing a neutral flavor and smooth consistency. Sourcing it from the finest oilseeds ensures a high-quality and healthy fat component.

2 tablespoons of Organic Granulated Sugar, a touch of natural sweetness: Sugar adds a touch of natural sweetness to balance the acidity in the dressing, enhancing its overall flavor profile.

1/4 cup of Crystalline White Vinegar, for a tangy burst of acidity: White vinegar adds a tangy burst of acidity to the dressing, balancing the sweetness and providing a refreshing zing.

1/2 teaspoon of Sea Salt, for a pinch of oceanic essence: Sea salt enhances the flavors in the dressing, providing a pinch of oceanic essence and balancing the overall taste.

1/2 tablespoon of Grated Yellow Onion, adding a subtle zing: Grated yellow onion adds a subtle zing and depth of flavor to the dressing, enhancing its complexity.

1/8 teaspoon of Dry Mustard, a hint of piquancy: Dry mustard adds a hint of piquancy, contributing depth and a subtle spiciness to the dressing.

1/4 tablespoon of Tiny Poppy Seeds, for a delightful crunch and visual appeal: Poppy seeds add a delightful crunch and visual appeal to the dressing. Their tiny size contributes both texture and a pleasing aesthetic element to the overall salad presentation.

Directions

For the Salad:

Step 1: Prepare Bacon:

• Cook the artisanal bacon slices until crispy.
• Allow them to cool, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Assemble Salad Base:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the freshly harvested baby spinach, golden croutons, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sliced button mushrooms, sliced red onions, plump dried cranberries, chopped tomatoes, and sliced hard-boiled eggs.

Step 3: Add Crumbled Bacon:

• Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the salad ingredients.

For the Poppy Seed Dressing:

Step 4: Whisk Dressing Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the cold-pressed canola oil, organic granulated sugar, crystalline white vinegar, sea salt, grated yellow onion, dry mustard, and tiny poppy seeds until well combined.

Step 5: Dress the Salad:

Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the salad according to your preference.

Toss the salad gently to coat the ingredients evenly with the dressing.

Step 6: Serve:

Portion the Costco Spinach Salad onto individual plates or bowls.

Step 7: Garnish (Optional):

Garnish with additional croutons, bacon bits, or a sprinkle of poppy seeds for extra texture and visual appeal.

Step 8: Enjoy:

Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors, textures, and the freshness of the spinach salad with bacon and poppy seed dressing. This vibrant and well-balanced salad is a perfect addition to any meal or as a satisfying standalone dish.

 Notes

• You can use store-bought croutons or make your own by toasting cubes of bread in the oven.
• You can substitute the white vinegar with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
•  If you don’t like bacon, you can omit it or substitute it with diced ham or turkey bacon.
• If you don’t like mayonnaise, you can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt.
• You can add other ingredients to the salad, such as diced tomatoes, shredded carrots, or diced bell peppers.

Storage Tips

The best way to store Costco spinach salad is to keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The salad can be stored for up to 5 days. It is best to consume the salad within a few days of making it for the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition Information

One Serving of Costco spinach salad contains approximately 280 calories, 11.9 grams of fat, 11.5 grams of protein, and 13.5 grams of carbohydrates. It also contains significant amounts of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve the salad with grilled chicken or steak.
• Add cooked quinoa or couscous to the salad for extra protein and fiber.
• Top the salad with your favorite nuts or seeds.
• Turn the salad into a wrap by adding it to a whole wheat tortilla.
• Add diced avocado to the salad for extra flavor and healthy fats.

What other substitute can I use in costco spinach salad?

•  If you don’t have spinach, you can substitute it with baby kale or arugula.
•  If you don’t have hard-boiled eggs, you can substitute them with diced chicken or cooked quinoa.
•  If you don’t have bacon, you can substitute it with diced ham or turkey bacon.
•  If you don’t have croutons, you can substitute them with roasted nuts or seeds.
• If you don’t like mayonnaise, you can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt.
•  If you don’t have white vinegar, you can substitute it with apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
• If you don’t have mustard, you can substitute it with Dijon mustard or honey mustard.

 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the salad ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. However, it is best to add the dressing and the croutons just before serving.

2. Can I freeze Costco spinach salad?

No, it is not recommended to freeze Costco spinach salad. The texture of the spinach will be compromised when it is thawed and the croutons may become soggy.

3. Is Costco spinach salad healthy?

Yes, Costco spinach salad is a healthy option. It is packed with vitamins and minerals and is a great source of protein and healthy fats.

4. Is Costco spinach salad gluten-free?

Yes, Costco spinach salad is gluten-free. However, you should check the labels of the croutons to make sure they are gluten-free.

7. Can I add other ingredients to the salad?

Yes, you can add other ingredients to the salad, such as diced tomatoes, shredded carrots, or diced bell peppers.

Conclusion

Costco spinach salad is a classic dish that is easy to make and only requires a few ingredients. It is a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.

The sweet and tangy dressing adds a unique flavor to the salad. Make sure to store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also add other ingredients to the salad, such as diced tomatoes, shredded carrots, or diced bell peppers.

You’ll also like these latest recipes!

• Copycat Old Fashioned Beef Chop Suey Recipe
• How to make Beef Chuck Roast Spanish
• Easy Carrabba’s Tuscan Grilled Chicken Recipe