Go Back
–+ servings

Wilted Spinach Salad with Radishes, Feta, & Pistachios for Two

This fast and vegetarian spinach salad is perfect for two people and offers a flavorful twist on traditional leafy greens. The salad blends curly-leaf spinach with a lemony shallot dressing, crunchy radishes, crumbled feta, and toasted pistachios for a vibrant, tangy, and nutty combination.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 2

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or similar heavy-bottomed pan
  • Plate (for freezing cheese)
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 2-inch strip lemon zest + 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 small shallot minced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 5 ounces curly-leaf spinach stemmed and torn into bite-size pieces
  • 3 radishes trimmed and thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chopped toasted shelled pistachios

Variation – Wilted Spinach Salad with Cherries, Goat Cheese, and Almonds:

  • 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese instead of feta
  • 1 2-inch strip grapefruit zest + 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice (instead of lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons dried cherries instead of radishes
  • 2 tablespoons chopped toasted sliced almonds instead of pistachios

Instructions
 

  • Place the feta on a plate and freeze it until it becomes slightly firm, which takes about 15 minutes.
  • Warm the olive oil with the lemon zest, minced shallot, and sugar in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and cook until the shallot softens, about 2 to 4 minutes. Remove the lemon zest and mix in the lemon juice. Add the spinach, cover, and cook just until the leaves begin to wilt, about 30 seconds.
  • Move the spinach and dressing into a large bowl. Add the chilled feta, sliced radishes, and toasted pistachios. Gently toss everything together, then season with salt and pepper as desired.

Notes

  • Curly-leaf spinach holds up best to heat compared to flat-leaf or baby varieties.
  • Freezing the feta slightly helps it maintain its texture when tossed into the warm salad.
  • This recipe is flexible: try the variation for a fruitier spin, using cherries and goat cheese instead.
Keyword easy wilted spinach recipe, feta and pistachio salad, healthy salad for two, quick side salad with spinach, recipes for two, recipes for two spinach salad, vegetarian lunch ideas, warm spinach salad with lemon dressing
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!