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Warm Spinach Potato Salad with Bacon Vinaigrette

Warm spinach potato salad with bacon vinaigrette—hot dressing wilts the spinach right in the bowl. Tender red potato slices and crisp bacon are coated in a tangy German-style mustard vinaigrette for a hearty side.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Potatoes and greens
  • 3 lb red potatoes sliced
  • 6 cup fresh spinach
Bacon vinaigrette
  • 8 bacon slices
  • 1 onion diced
  • 0.333 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 0.25 tsp salt to taste
  • 0.25 tsp pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch oven
  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Boil and keep warm
  1. Boil the red potato slices in salted water until tender, 10–15 minutes. Drain and keep the potatoes warm.
Make the bacon drippings and sauté onion
  1. Cook the bacon in a cast iron skillet until crispy, 6–10 minutes. Reserve the drippings in the pan.
  2. Sauté the diced onion in the bacon drippings over medium heat until softened, 3–5 minutes.
Warm the vinaigrette
  1. Add the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, 2–3 minutes, then keep hot.
Wilt spinach and assemble
  1. Place the fresh spinach in a large bowl. Add the warm potatoes and spread them so the heat can reach the spinach.
  2. Pour the hot vinaigrette over the spinach and potatoes. Toss well until the spinach wilts, 30–60 seconds.
  3. Crumble the crispy bacon over the top. Serve immediately while warm, 0–5 minutes.

Notes

For best wilting, keep the potatoes hot and the vinaigrette at a steady simmer before pouring—cooler dressing won’t soften the spinach as quickly. Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container up to 3 days; rewarm gently (microwave in short bursts) because the spinach will continue to soften. Freezing is not recommended. For a lighter option, use turkey bacon and reduced-fat Dijon while keeping the same method.