If you’re looking to dazzle at your next gathering or simply want to spruce up your weekday lunch, this Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe is your ticket to vibrant flavor and stunning presentation. Juicy strawberries and baby spinach come together with creamy feta, toasty almonds, and a tangy-sweet balsamic dressing that’s nothing short of irresistible. It’s not just easy and fresh—it’s a feel-good bowl of color that puts a sunny spin on any table, promising a bite that’s both savory and sweet with lots of lovely crunch. Whether you’re a salad lover or just starting to branch out, this one’s truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this salad so crave-worthy is the harmony between each simple ingredient. Every component brings its own twist—think color from berries, saltiness from feta, crunch from almonds, and a swoon-worthy zing in the dressing. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why:
- Fresh baby spinach: Choose tender leaves; they’re the perfect mild, leafy base and hold up beautifully under hearty toppings and bold dressing.
- Sliced fresh strawberries: Go for ripe berries for maximum sweetness and juiciness—these offer a burst of color and sunny flavor.
- Thinly sliced red onion: Adds a pop of sharp, slightly sweet flavor to balance the sweetness of the strawberries.
- Crumbled feta cheese: Delivers salty, tangy creaminess in every bite; feel free to sub goat cheese if you’re in the mood.
- Sliced almonds (toasted): Toasting your almonds amps up the crunch and gives subtle, nutty depth; don’t skip this step!
- Balsamic vinegar: The essential acidity that brings the salad together—choose a good-quality balsamic for best results.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness and creates a glossy, clingy dressing that’s simply luscious.
- Dijon mustard: A secret weapon for building flavor and helping the dressing emulsify into silky perfection.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Rich and fruity, this oil acts as the backbone for your dressing—use your best bottle here.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential finishing touches to enhance every flavor in the bowl.
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Fruit
Start by giving your spinach a good rinse and pat it dry thoroughly—it’ll help the leaves stay perky. Hull and slice the strawberries into even, bite-sized pieces. Thinly slice half a red onion; if you want a milder flavor, feel free to soak the slices in cold water for 5–10 minutes, then drain well. Laying everything out now makes salad assembly totally effortless.
Step 2: Toast the Almonds
Place your sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often until they’re golden and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. This simple step makes a huge difference—don’t wander away, as they can go from toasty to burnt in an instant. Set them aside to cool while you whip up the rest of the salad.
Step 3: Mix the Greens and Toppings
In a big salad bowl, layer your spinach, strawberries, red onion, crumbled feta, and those irresistible toasted almonds. If you want to get a little fancy, scatter the ingredients artfully for a “wow” factor—you’ll get bonus points for presentation here!
Step 4: Whisk the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, extra virgin olive oil, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake until the mixture is fully emulsified and glossy. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding a touch more honey for sweetness or more vinegar for tang as you like.
Step 5: Dress and Toss
Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic dressing over your strawberry spinach salad recipe and gently toss everything together until the spinach is lightly coated and glistening. Be gentle so you don’t bruise the berries or spinach, then serve straight away for ultimate freshness.
How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Garnishes
The right garnish takes your strawberry spinach salad recipe from everyday to extraordinary. Try a final flourish of fresh cracked black pepper, extra crumbles of feta, or a sprinkle of freshly chopped mint or basil. For an extra crunch, candied pecans or a sprinkle of sunflower seeds are fantastic upgrades.
Side Dishes
This salad is brilliant on its own but teams up perfectly with a variety of mains. Pair it with grilled chicken or salmon for a hearty meal, or serve alongside quiche, crusty bread, or a bowl of chilled gazpacho for an easy summer brunch spread. Even as a side for barbecue or a picnic, it’s always the first bowl to disappear.
Creative Ways to Present
You can serve the salad family-style in a large, shallow bowl for everyone to share, or portion it onto chilled plates for a more elegant touch. Want picnic-ready servings? Layer ingredients in mason jars—dressing at the bottom, spinach on top—and just shake before eating. For a party, try arranging individual components on a platter so guests can customize their perfect bite.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover strawberry spinach salad recipe, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. The spinach may wilt a bit, but it will still be delicious for up to 24 hours. For best texture, only add the dressing to what you plan to eat right away, keeping the rest undressed until serving.
Freezing
This isn’t a salad that freezes well; the fresh ingredients will lose their texture and become soggy once thawed. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep the dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week to make assembly a breeze whenever the craving strikes.
Reheating
There’s no need (or real way) to reheat this recipe; it’s meant to be enjoyed cold or at cool room temperature. If your toasted almonds lose their crunch, you can give them a quick warm-up in a dry skillet before tossing them into the salad.
FAQs
Can I make the strawberry spinach salad recipe ahead of time?
You can absolutely prep all the ingredients a few hours in advance—slice the strawberries, toast the almonds, and whisk the dressing. Keep everything separate and assemble just before serving to keep the spinach crisp and the flavors at their peak.
What can I use instead of feta cheese?
Goat cheese is a wonderful alternative, offering creamy tang and pairing deliciously with the berries. Fresh mozzarella, blue cheese, or even a vegan cheese crumble can work if you want to change things up.
Is there a way to make this salad vegan?
To make a vegan version, skip the feta or use your favorite plant-based cheese, and swap the honey for maple syrup or agave. The rest of the ingredients are naturally vegan and still absolutely delicious!
How do I keep the spinach from getting soggy?
Keep the dressing separate until you’re just ready to eat. If prepping ahead, make sure the spinach is completely dry after washing, and only toss everything together right before serving. This helps maintain the salad’s perfect crunch and freshness.
Can I add protein to make strawberry spinach salad recipe a meal?
Absolutely! Grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon are excellent additions. For a plant-based boost, chickpeas, lentils, or quinoa will easily bulk up the salad while complementing the flavors beautifully.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly joyful about sharing a bowl full of color and flavor like this strawberry spinach salad recipe. If you’re looking for a dish that sparks conversation and brings big flavor with little effort, this is the one to make. I can’t wait for you to try it and see just how quickly it becomes a favorite at your table too!
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Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Description
A delightful Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe that combines fresh baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, and toasted almonds, all tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. This colorful and flavorful salad is perfect for a light and refreshing meal.
Ingredients
Fresh Baby Spinach
- 6 cups
Fresh Strawberries
- 1 ½ cups
Red Onion (small, thinly sliced)
- ½
Feta Cheese (crumbled)
- ½ cup
Sliced Almonds (toasted)
- ⅓ cup
Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons
Honey
- 1 tablespoon
Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- ¼ cup
Salt and Black Pepper
- To taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, mix together the spinach, strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, and almonds.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Toss Salad: Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly before serving.
Notes
- For extra crunch, consider adding candied pecans or sunflower seeds.
- This salad pairs well with grilled chicken for a more substantial meal.
- You can swap feta cheese for goat cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
