This Strawberry Spinach Salad is the perfect blend of fresh flavors and vibrant colors! 🍓🥗 With sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, tangy feta, and a delicious balsamic poppy seed dressing, this spinach strawberry salad is light, refreshing, and packed with nutrients. Whether you’re looking for spinach salad recipes for a healthy lunch, a side dish, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this recipe is a must-try!
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Bursting with Flavor: Sweet strawberries, tangy feta, and crunchy pecans create a delicious contrast.
- Easy to Make: Requires only a few ingredients and comes together in minutes.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for spring and summer gatherings, but delicious year-round.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats.
Key Ingredients For Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Fresh Ingredients for the Best Salad
- Spinach: The perfect leafy green base with a mild and slightly earthy flavor.
- Strawberries: Juicy, sweet, and packed with vitamin C—choose the ripest ones available.
- Toasted Pecans: A must-have for crunch! Swap with walnuts or almonds if preferred.
- Feta Cheese: Creamy and slightly tangy, enhancing the salad’s richness. Goat cheese or gorgonzola are great alternatives.
- Red Onion: Adds a mild sharpness, balancing the sweetness of the strawberries.
Homemade Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing
This light vinaigrette complements the sweetness of the strawberries while adding a tangy depth.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Pairs beautifully with strawberries.
- Honey: Naturally sweetens the dressing without overpowering it.
- Olive Oil: Adds richness and helps blend the flavors.
- Poppy Seeds: A signature ingredient for a delightful texture and appearance.
- Dijon Mustard: Gives a subtle kick and helps emulsify the dressing.
How to Make the Best Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Toast the Pecans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spread pecans on a baking sheet. Toast for 5-7 minutes until fragrant. Let cool and chop.
- Prepare the Red Onion: Soak sliced onions in water for 10 minutes to remove sharpness. Drain and pat dry.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and poppy seeds.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onions.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently.
- Add the Toppings: Sprinkle with toasted pecans and crumbled feta. Add more dressing if needed.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy as a side dish or add protein for a complete meal.
Serving Suggestions With Strawberry Spinach Salad
Make this salad a complete meal by pairing it with:
- Grilled Chicken: For added protein.
- Quinoa or Farro: Boosts fiber and texture.
- Crusty Bread: Perfect for soaking up extra dressing.
Storage Tips
- To Make Ahead: Keep ingredients separate and toss together just before serving.
- To Store: Refrigerate undressed salad for up to 4 days. Store dressing in an airtight container for up to a week.
More Delicious Appetizer Recipes You’ll Love
- Cottage Cheese Egg Bake Recipe
- Delicious Spinach and Cheese Croquettes Recipe
- Parmesan Spinach Cheese Twists
Conclusion
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a true crowd-pleaser with its bright flavors and refreshing textures. Whether you’re making it for a family meal or a special occasion, it’s bound to impress. Try it today and enjoy a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory in every bite!
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is the perfect blend of fresh flavors and vibrant colors! 🍓🥗 With sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, tangy feta, and a delicious balsamic poppy seed dressing, this spinach strawberry salad is light, refreshing, and packed with nutrients. Whether you're looking for spinach salad recipes for a healthy lunch, a side dish, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this recipe is a must-try!
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Spinach Salad:
- ¾ cup raw pecans
- ½ small red onion very thinly sliced
- 10 ounces fresh baby spinach I also love a 50/50 arugula and spinach blend
- 1 quart strawberries hulled and quartered about 1 pound
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese buy the block-style feta not pre-crumbled; the texture is much better
For the Poppy seed Dressing:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Toast the Pecans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spread pecans on a baking sheet. Toast for 5-7 minutes until fragrant. Let cool and chop.
- Prepare the Red Onion: Soak sliced onions in water for 10 minutes to remove sharpness. Drain and pat dry.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and poppy seeds.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine spinach, sliced strawberries, and red onions.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and toss gently.
- Add the Toppings: Sprinkle with toasted pecans and crumbled feta. Add more dressing if needed.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy as a side dish or add protein for a complete meal.
Notes
- Dress the salad as shortly before serving as you can. If you don’t plan to eat it all right away, dress only what you plan to eat right away, then store the leftover, undressed salad in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Refrigerate leftover dressing in an airtight container (a jar is perfect) for up to 5 days, then shake before serving.
- Nutrition is an estimate and has been calculated with two-thirds of the dressing, as you likely will not need all of it for the salad.
