Fresh Strawberry Pecan Salad is a crowd pleaser for a reason. Sweet and tangy flavors combined with creamy and crunchy texture bring complexity to this quick and easy recipe. The balsamic dressing is like the cherry on top.
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There’s just something about strawberries and spinach that screams spring! And you can’t beat garden-fresh ingredients for a light, delicious salad, making it a great addition to Easter dinner or Mother’s Day brunch.
Speaking of garden-fresh salads, you’ll want to add this cucumber tomato salad recipe to your repertoire, too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bursting with Flavor: Every bite is bursting with sweet, savory, crunchy and creamy flavors.
- Strawberry Picking: What a great reason to go to a local strawberry farm and pick your own strawberries!
- Super Simple: This recipe comes together quickly and easily with ingredients you have on hand.
- Company-Worthy: Whether you’re serving brunch or dinner, this will be a go-to for serving guests.
Ingredients
- Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar has a robust, complex taste. Look for an aged balsamic vinegar without added sugar. You can use apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar instead.
- Honey: Honey acts as the sweetener, balancing the tart flavor of the balsamic vinegar.
- Olive Oil: The olive oil is like the glue that binds the honey and vinegar together. Look for an extra virgin olive oil to use when making salad dressings.
- Strawberries: Strawberries add vibrant color and sweetness. Smaller to medium-sized berries tend to be sweeter than larger ones.
- Baby Spinach: The spinach is packed with nutrients and adds an earthy flavor to the salad. You can also use kale or spring mix if you prefer.
- Candied Pecans: Pecans add a sweet and crunchy, nutty flavor. They may also be called sugared pecans, sugar and spice pecans, praline pecans, or sugar-coated pecans.
- Red Onion: Thinly slice this onion for a perfectly spicy complement to the sweet strawberries.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese: This cheese adds a layer of creamy texture and tanginess to this strawberry pecan salad recipe.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Have extra strawberries? Use them to make this Easy Strawberry Poke Cake or Strawberry Shortcake Biscuits to serve for dessert.
Variations
- Fruit Variety: No strawberries on hand? No problem. Try making this salad with your favorite berries or fruit. I recommend mandarin oranges, mango, blueberries, raspberries, or any combination of fruit.
- Mix-ins: A light meat such as grilled chicken or shrimp goes really well with strawberry and pecan salad, especially if you want to add some protein. Drained cooked chickpeas and avocados also make a great addition too.
- Dairy Free: Leave out the feta cheese for a dairy free option.
- Nut Options: For nut allergies, simply leave out the pecans, or substitute with sunflower or sesame seeds. If you’re not a fan of pecans, almonds or walnuts can easily be substituted. You can also use toasted pecans instead of the candied ones.
- Change the Dressing: Swap the balsamic dressing and try a honey mustard or poppy seed dressing instead.
How to Make Strawberry Balsamic Salad
For a salad with such a big flavor, making this spinach salad with strawberries is actually pretty simple.
- Step 1: Make the Dressing. Add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and honey to a small bowl or a jar with a lid. Whisk or shake to combine the ingredients.
- Step 2: Prepare the fresh ingredients. Wash and dry the strawberries and spinach. Slice the onion.
- Step 3: Combine the ingredients. Add strawberries, spinach, onion, feta, and candied pecans to a salad bowl and toss together.
- Step 4: Add the dressing. Once you’re ready to serve the salad, toss the ingredients with the delicious balsamic dressing until it’s evenly coated.
Hint: Picking the Best Strawberries
For this strawberry balsamic salad, choose strawberries that are red all the way around, firm to the touch, have a bright green stem, and have a smooth skin. They should also smell sweet and fruity.
Expert Tips
- Avoid a soggy salad: Wait to add the dressing until you’re ready to serve it. If you are planing leftovers, add the dressing to individual servings rather than the whole salad.
- Use baby spinach: Baby spinach is spinach that’s been picked when it’s young. It’s sweeter taste makes it best suited for salads while regular spinach is better for cooking.
- Keep strawberries fresh: Keep strawberries refrigerated, arranging them in a single layer in an airtight container. Be sure to remove any damaged berries. Wait to wash strawberries until you’re ready to eat them.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store any leftover strawberry feta salad, without the dressing, in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Store the balsamic dressing separately in a jar with a lid for up to a week.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the ingredients according to the recipe, and store them separately. Toss everything together with the dressing just before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Spinach strawberry salad is so versatile. It would be a hit at a potluck, cookout, or family dinner!
- Add it to a brunch menu along with these sausage egg muffins and cinnamon chip bread.
- Top the salad with air fryer chicken breasts for a hearty dinner salad or serve it as a side with easy tortellini alfredo for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
- You could also pair this light and flavorful salad with a chicken dish like cheesy chicken alfredo lasagna or this chicken tetrazzini casserole. The possibilities really are endless!
More Simple Summer Salad Recipes
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Spinach Strawberry Pecan 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!
Notes
- Be sure to pick firm, red strawberries. Thoroughly wash and dry the strawberries and spinach when preparing the salad. Store undressed, leftover salad and dressing separately so the salad doesn’t wilt.
- Store any leftover strawberry feta salad, without dressing, in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Store the balsamic dressing separately in a jar with a lid.
- Wait to add the dressing until you’re ready to serve it. Add the dressing to individual servings rather than the whole salad.
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.
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