You’ll love the fresh taste of Strawberry Spinach Salad, mixing crisp spinach with sweet strawberries and salty feta, tied together with a tangy balsamic dressing! This easy-to-make salad is perfect for any spring or summer table and can easily be served with your favorite protein!
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
When it comes to fruit in salad, people tend to be a fan or not! This strawberry spinach salad could change the mind of anyone who doesn’t enjoy juicy berries in a savory salad.
Strawberries are a fantastic addition to a spinach salad because their juicy sweetness contrasts beautifully with the earthy spinach and the salty sharpness of feta cheese. They also add a pop of color, and their firm yet tender texture holds up well against the dressing and other ingredients.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Dressing
What really ties everything together is the homemade balsamic vinaigrette! Three simple ingredients perfectly match the salad. Balsamic vinegar adds a tangy kick, balancing the sweet strawberries and earthy spinach. Olive oil brings everything together with its smooth texture. Honey balances the vinegar's sharpness, making each bite of the salad a perfect mix of sweet and tangy.
This spinach fruit salad is great as a fresh side dish for barbecues, adds a healthy touch to potlucks, or works as a quick lunch. Pair it with grilled chicken, breakfast casserole, or sheet pan breadsticks for a complete meal!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Quick and easy: It's incredibly quick to prepare, meaning you can have a fresh, gourmet-looking salad ready in minutes.
- Sweet and savory: The combination of sweet strawberries and savory spinach perfectly balances flavors.
- Nutrient-dense: This salad is nutritious and packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the berries and spinach.
- Easy homemade dressing: The simple, homemade balsamic dressing allows you to know exactly what's going into your food, allowing for a healthier option without junky ingredients.
- Versatile: It's versatile enough to serve as a side dish or a main course, pairing well with a wide range of proteins.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Balsamic Vinegar - Adds a rich, tangy depth to the dressing with its light sweetness and slight acidity.
- Olive Oil - Acts as a smooth base for the dressing, bringing together the vinegar and honey.
- Honey - Balances the acidity of the balsamic vinegar with its natural sweetness.
- Candied Pecans - Introduce a sweet and nutty crunch to the salad that balances the many textures.
- Thinly Sliced Red Onion - Provides a sharp, slightly spicy bite that cuts through the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Fresh Baby Spinach - Serves as the leafy, nutritious base of the salad, offering a mild, earthy flavor that pairs well with the bold tastes of the other ingredients.
- Strawberries - Bring a juicy, sweet element to the salad with a pop of natural red color.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese - Adds a tangy, salty contrast to the sweetness of the dressing and fruit.
How To Make Spinach Salad with Strawberries
Make the dressing: Add the balsamic vinegar, honey, and olive oil to a small bowl or a jar with a tight lid. If using a jar, shake vigorously until the dressing is mixed and emulsified. If using a bowl, whisk until fully combined and emulsified.
Prepare the fresh ingredients: Thoroughly wash and dry the fresh spinach. Wash the strawberries and chop them into bite-sized pieces, removing the stems. Then, thinly slice the onions.
Assemble the salad: Add the spinach, chopped strawberries, feta cheese, red onion slices, and candied pecans to a large bowl. Toss to distribute evenly.
Dress and serve: Pour the dressing over the top once ready to serve. Gently toss until everything is coated. Enjoy!
Tips For The Best Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Wash and dry the spinach and strawberries thoroughly to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Add the dressing to the salad just before serving to maintain the freshness and crispness of the spinach.
- Choose bright red and sweet strawberries that are still somewhat firm, so they hold up well in the salad.
- Use a sharp knife or mandolin to thinly slice the red onion so it has more of a mild flavor.
- Chill the plates before assembling the salad for an extra refreshing touch, especially in warm weather.
- Adjust the honey in the dressing according to the sweetness of the strawberries, adding more if they're particularly tart.
- Serve the salad immediately after dressing to ensure the spinach doesn't wilt with the dressing's natural acidity.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- Cheese: Swap crumbled feta cheese with goat cheese or bleu cheese for a creamier texture and a milder tangy flavor.
- Nuts: Replace candied pecans with toasted walnuts or almonds for a deeper, earthy nuttiness that contrasts nicely with the fresh ingredients.
- Greens: Use arugula, kale, or baby greens instead of baby spinach for a peppery bite that adds an extra layer of flavor to the salad.
- Fruit: Use watermelon, blueberries, or sliced peaches in place of strawberries for a different sweet and tart balance.
- Dressing: Experiment with a lemon poppy seed dressing or raspberry vinaigrette instead of balsamic for a citrusy, slightly sweet twist that brightens the salad's flavors.
- Veggies: Add some thinly sliced cucumber, avocado, tomatoes, or your favorite salad vegetables to change up the flavor and texture.
FAQ
Yes, you can do parts of the salad in advance, like washing and drying the spinach and slicing the strawberries, but it's best to wait until just before serving to assemble the salad and add the dressing to prevent it from becoming soggy.
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, spinach strawberry salad can last for up to 2-3 days. However, it's best enjoyed fresh to maintain the crisp texture.
Yes, you can experiment with different types of vinegar, such as red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar to customize the flavor of the dressing. Just adjust the amount of honey to balance the acidity.
More Easy Salad Recipes
SHARE IT & RATE IT
Did you make this strawberry spinach salad? Leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below. Then follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Share your favorite recipes or ask questions in our Facebook Group.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp honey
Salad
- ¾ cup candied pecans
- ½ small red onion Thinly sliced
- 10 oz fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups strawberries cut into medium size peices
- ¾ cup feta Crumbled
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar add, balsamic vinegar, honey, and olive oil. Mix together well.
- Add spinach, chopped strawberries, feta cheese, red onion slices, and candied pecans to a large bowl. Mix ingredients together.
- Pour the dressing over the top of the salad right before serving. Mix the salad until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve and ENJOY!
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Leave a Reply