If you’re looking for a dish that’s as fresh and inviting as summer itself, this Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe is guaranteed to become your new obsession. Bursting with luscious strawberries, crisp spinach, tangy feta, and a sprinkle of toasty nuts, it’s all brought together with a delightfully simple homemade balsamic dressing. Every bite is a celebration of contrasts: sweet meets savory, creamy mingles with crunchy, and vibrant colors pop on your plate. Whether you’re serving it up at a sunny picnic, family dinner, or just treating yourself to something wholesomely delicious, this salad is pure feel-good food in every way.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of classic ingredients, the Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe lets each one shine. You’ll find that each item brings something unique—be it a burst of color, a pop of texture, or a punch of flavor—making the whole salad sing with minimal effort.
- Fresh Baby Spinach: The tender greens provide a mild, pleasing base that cradles all other toppings perfectly.
- Sliced Strawberries: Their juicy sweetness pairs beautifully with the savory notes in the salad and looks stunning, too.
- Red Onion (thinly sliced): For a gentle, peppery bite that lifts the salad’s flavor profile.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese: Adds a creamy, tangy touch that’s simply irresistible with the sweet fruit.
- Chopped Pecans or Sliced Almonds (toasted): Brings welcome crunch and a hint of nutty depth—don’t skip toasting for extra fragrance.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Its rich, mellow tang forms the flavorful backbone of the dressing.
- Olive Oil: Helps round out the dressing and delivers a silkiness that sets everything off.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Just a touch of natural sweetness balances the acidity nicely.
- Dijon Mustard: Pulls the dressing together and adds a subtle zippy kick.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Don’t underestimate these; a pinch helps every other ingredient stand out.
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Salad Base
Start by grabbing your biggest, prettiest serving bowl—this salad is too lovely not to show off. Gently pile in the baby spinach, then scatter the sliced strawberries and thin ribbons of red onion over the top. Sprinkle on the crumbled feta and finish with your toasted pecans or almonds. The ingredients aren’t just tossed in; they’re layered so that every serving looks as inviting as the last.
Step 2: Whisk Up the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, measure out the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Now whisk (or shake!) until the dressing looks glossy and fully combined. This sweet-tangy blend is what takes the Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe from good to unforgettable, marrying all those flavors with just the right zing.
Step 3: Dress and Toss Just Before Serving
Right before you serve, drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad. Using gentle hands or salad tongs, toss everything until the leaves are lightly coated and the toppings are distributed. Be careful not to overdress—you want each bite kissed with that delicious balsamic, not drowning in it. Serve immediately to savor the freshness!
How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Garnishes
For a finishing flourish, you can add extra sliced strawberries or a few more crumbles of feta right on top. A light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper or a small handful of microgreens is a lovely touch that makes your Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe feel extra special. Sometimes, a drizzle of thick balsamic glaze can make the colors and flavors pop even more.
Side Dishes
This salad is endlessly versatile when it comes to accompaniments. It’s delightful alongside grilled chicken, salmon, or a simple quiche for brunch. You can even pair the Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with a crusty baguette to scoop up every last bit of goodness, or serve with chilled soup on a warm day. Its lightness makes it work beautifully in any meal setting.
Creative Ways to Present
Try piling the salad into clear mason jars for a portable picnic, or arrange the ingredients artfully on a platter for a deconstructed look. For individual servings, layer everything in stemmed glasses for an elegant appetizer. The colors and textures in this Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe are so inviting, you’ll want to show them off however you can!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover salad, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep in mind that spinach leaves can wilt as they absorb dressing, so it’s best to store undressed salad and the dressing separately whenever possible. This keeps everything snappy for round two!
Freezing
This salad really shines when enjoyed fresh, and unfortunately freezing just isn’t its friend. The delicate ingredients like spinach and strawberries don’t bounce back well after thawing, so save freezing for another recipe and savor everything here within a day or two.
Reheating
The Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe is meant to be served cold or at cool room temperature, so reheating isn’t required or recommended. If you’re looking for a warm option, consider adding just-grilled chicken or slightly warm roasted nuts to the fresh salad base for contrast.
FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
For the best flavor and texture, fresh strawberries make all the difference in this salad. Frozen berries tend to lose their shape and become watery as they thaw, which can dilute the crispness and vibrancy that makes the Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe so special.
What protein can I add to make it a meal?
Grilled chicken, sliced steak, shrimp, or even chickpeas or tofu work beautifully to boost the protein content without overpowering the salad’s fresh flavors. Just sprinkle them on top right before serving!
Are there good cheese substitutes for feta?
Absolutely! Goat cheese gives a tangy creaminess, while shaved parmesan offers a salty-savory twist. Even blue cheese can add an unexpected depth if you’re craving something bold in your Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, the balsamic dressing can be whisked up and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. Be sure to give it a good shake or stir before using since the ingredients may separate as they sit.
Is the Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe suitable for meal prep?
You can absolutely prep the salad ingredients ahead—just store the dressing and nuts separately to keep things crisp. When it’s time to eat, toss everything together for a salad that feels fresh, not soggy.
Final Thoughts
Brimming with fresh flavors, gorgeous colors, and effortless charm, the Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe is pure joy in a bowl. It’s the kind of dish that never fails to bring smiles to the table. Give it a try, and you might just find it becomes your go-to for easy entertaining and everyday meals alike!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful and refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad that combines the sweetness of fresh strawberries with the earthy flavor of baby spinach, topped with a tangy balsamic dressing.
Ingredients
Baby Spinach Salad:
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
Strawberries:
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
Other Ingredients:
- 1/4 red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans or sliced almonds (toasted)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Baby Spinach Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine baby spinach, strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, and nuts.
- Balsamic Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Serve: Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For added protein, top with grilled chicken or chickpeas.
- You can substitute goat cheese for feta or use walnuts instead of pecans.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh, but the dressing can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
