Tangy Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

Crafting a delightful strawberry spinach salad brings unexpected joy to your dining experience.

Vibrant red berries mingle with emerald green leaves, creating a visual feast.

Fresh ingredients dance together in perfect harmony.

Crisp spinach leaves provide a nutritious foundation for this light meal.

Juicy strawberries add a sweet burst of flavor that surprises your palate.

Seasonal produce makes this salad a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients.

You’ll love how quickly this dish comes together for a refreshing lunch or side.

Let’s make something delicious that nourishes both body and spirit!

Top Pairings for Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Match the tangy balsamic vinaigrette with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc, its bright acidity complementing the salad's sweet and savory notes.
• Select a light-bodied rosé that echoes the strawberry's sweetness while cutting through the feta's richness, creating a balanced flavor profile.
• Add grilled chicken or seared salmon to transform this salad into a complete meal, providing protein that harmonizes with the existing ingredients.
• Introduce candied pecans or sunflower seeds as an additional topping, enhancing the crunch and bringing an unexpected depth to the salad's texture.

New Takes on Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Vegan Delight: Replace feta cheese with crumbled tofu or dairy-free cashew cheese. Use maple syrup instead of honey for a plant-based dressing. Add roasted chickpeas for extra protein.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free. Swap toasted almonds with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for added crunch. Use gluten-free Dijon mustard in the dressing.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Reduce honey quantity or replace with stevia. Add grilled chicken or shrimp for protein. Increase nuts and reduce strawberry amount to lower carbohydrate content.
• Mediterranean Remix: Include crumbled goat cheese instead of feta. Add kalamata olives and fresh mint leaves. Incorporate cucumber slices for extra freshness and Mediterranean flair.

Your Strawberry Spinach Salad Questions Answered

• Can I use other types of greens instead of spinach?

Yes, you can substitute baby spinach with mixed greens, arugula, or kale. Each green will bring a slightly different flavor and texture to the salad.

• Is this salad healthy?

Absolutely! This salad is packed with nutrients. Spinach provides iron and vitamins, strawberries offer antioxidants, almonds add healthy fats, and feta cheese provides protein.

• How can I make this salad more filling?

Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu to increase protein content. You can also include quinoa or chickpeas to make the salad more substantial and satisfying.

• Can I prepare the dressing in advance?

Yes, you can make the balsamic dressing up to 3-4 days ahead. Store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before using to re-emulsify the ingredients.

Why Strawberry Spinach Salad Works in Every Season

• Perfect for busy home cooks needing a fast, nutritious meal in less than 15 minutes.
• Packed with spinach's vitamins, strawberries' antioxidants, and protein-rich almonds for a balanced dish.
• Suitable for summer picnics, casual dinner parties, or a light lunch that impresses everyone with minimal effort.
• Easy to modify by swapping ingredients like goat cheese for feta or adding grilled chicken for extra protein.

What You’ll Need for Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Balsamic Vinegar: Tangy base that adds rich flavor and depth to the dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the vinegar's acidity and creates smooth texture.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds zesty kick and helps emulsify the dressing for better consistency.
• Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich foundation for the dressing with heart-healthy qualities.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances other dressing ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic complexity to the dressing.

• Baby Spinach: Fresh, nutrient-dense green with delicate texture and mild flavor.
• Strawberries: Sweet and juicy fruit that adds vibrant color and refreshing taste.
• Red Onion: Sharp, crisp ingredient that provides a slight bite and aromatic element.

• Toasted Almonds, Feta Cheese: Crunchy nuts and creamy cheese add textural contrast and rich, salty flavor. Best when almonds are lightly toasted and cheese is crumbled fresh.

Building the Best Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: Create Tangy Dressing

• Balsamic vinegar
• Honey
• Dijon mustard

Slowly stream in olive oil while whisking vigorously until mixture becomes smooth and glossy

Sprinkle in salt and black pepper to enhance flavor

Step 2: Build Vibrant Salad Base

• Baby spinach leaves
• Fresh strawberry slices
• Crunchy toasted almonds
• Thinly sliced red onion

Drizzle prepared dressing over ingredients

Gently mix to ensure everything gets coated evenly

Step 3: Add Creamy Cheese Finish

Crumble feta cheese generously across salad surface

Softly fold cheese into salad to distribute without crushing delicate ingredients

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer salad to individual plates

Serve immediately for maximum freshness and crispness

Savor the delightful combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements

Extra Tips for Strawberry Spinach Salad Success

• Customize Dressing Consistency: Adjust the olive oil amount to create a thicker or thinner dressing based on personal preference, ensuring a perfect balance of flavors.
• Boost Nutrient Profile: Add grilled chicken or tofu for extra protein, transforming the salad into a more substantial meal that keeps you satisfied longer.
• Prevent Wilting Trick: Dress the salad just before serving to maintain the spinach's crisp texture and prevent soggy leaves that can ruin the dining experience.
• Seasonal Swap Strategy: Replace strawberries with other seasonal berries like raspberries or blackberries during different times of the year for variety and freshness.
• Make-Ahead Prep Hack: Store dressing and salad components separately in the refrigerator, combining them just before serving to preserve the salad's optimal texture and taste.

Keep Strawberry Spinach Salad Crisp and Ready

• Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy spinach.
• Store cheese, nuts, and dressing in individual sealed containers to maintain freshness and crispness.
• Before serving leftovers, drain any excess liquid and gently toss salad ingredients to revive texture. Add fresh nuts for extra crunch.
• Do not freeze this salad, as spinach and strawberries will lose their texture and become mushy when thawed.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Refreshing strawberry spinach salad delivers summer’s sweet and tangy promise on one delightful plate. Crisp spinach leaves dance with juicy berries, creating a light meal that welcomes fresh flavor and healthy indulgence.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) fresh baby spinach
• 1 pound (454 grams) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ½ cup (60 grams) sliced almonds, toasted

Dairy and Cheese:

• ½ cup (75 grams) crumbled feta cheese

Other Ingredients:

• ¼ red onion, thinly sliced

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) honey
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by whisking balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard in a compact mixing vessel, creating a harmonious base for the dressing.
2. Gradually introduce olive oil into the mixture, using a continuous whisking motion to develop a smooth, emulsified consistency that will elegantly coat the salad ingredients.
3. Enhance the dressing with a delicate balance of salt and freshly ground black pepper, tasting and adjusting the seasoning to achieve a perfect flavor profile.
4. Select a spacious salad bowl and layer baby spinach leaves as the verdant foundation of the dish, creating a lush green canvas.
5. Artfully arrange sliced strawberries, adding bursts of crimson color and sweet-tart complexity to the leafy base.
6. Scatter toasted almonds across the salad, introducing a nutty crunch that will provide textural contrast to the tender greens and juicy berries.
7. Sprinkle thinly sliced red onion throughout, contributing a subtle sharpness and additional depth to the salad’s flavor composition.
8. Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the ingredients, ensuring an even distribution that will elevate and unite the individual components.
9. Delicately toss the salad, coating each element with the dressing without bruising the delicate ingredients.
10. Crown the salad with crumbled feta cheese, allowing the tangy, creamy cheese to nestle among the spinach and berries.
11. Serve the salad immediately, celebrating the fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors at their peak of perfection.

Notes

• Customize the dressing by swapping balsamic vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a lighter, tangier flavor profile.
• Toast almonds quickly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty aroma and prevent burning by constantly stirring.
• Keep spinach crisp by washing and thoroughly drying leaves before assembling the salad, preventing soggy texture.
• Make this salad gluten-free and dairy-free by replacing feta with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 15mg