From my sunny kitchen in Valencia, where fresh ingredients are king, I’m so excited to share a salad that truly sings! Meet my absolute favorite Strawberry Spinach Salad. It’s a riot of color and flavor, combining the sweetness of ripe strawberries with the slight earthiness of fresh spinach, all brought together with a tangy balsamic dressing. As a chef, I’m always looking for that perfect balance, and this salad delivers it in spades. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but elegant enough for guests, showcasing the best of what fresh produce has to offer.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad

This isn’t just any salad; it’s a little bowl of sunshine! Here’s why it’s become a staple for me and why I know you’ll adore it too:

Super Quick: Seriously, it takes just minutes to throw together. Perfect for when you’re busy!
Incredibly Fresh: We’re talking vibrant spinach and juicy strawberries – pure goodness.
Bursting with Flavor: That sweet and tangy combo? Unbeatable!
Healthy & Light: It’s packed with nutrients but feels wonderfully light.
So Versatile: Great on its own or as a side to almost anything.

Gathering Your Strawberry Spinach Salad Ingredients

Alright, let’s get down to business and gather everything we need for this gorgeous Strawberry Spinach Salad. It’s all about fresh, simple ingredients that really shine. First up, you’ll need about 4 cups of the freshest spinach you can find, make sure it’s all washed and nice and dry. Then, grab about 1 cup of beautiful, ripe strawberries and slice them up – seeing those red slices against the green spinach is just *chef’s kiss*! We want some crunch, so let’s get 1/4 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts ready. And for a little creamy, salty tang, about 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese is perfect, but totally optional if you prefer. Now, for the dressing, which is super easy: whisk together 3 tablespoons of good olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup. Don’t forget a pinch of salt and pepper to make it sing!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Strawberry Spinach Salad

I love pecans and walnuts here because they have such a lovely, rich flavor that plays so well with the strawberries and feta. But if nuts aren’t your thing, or you just want to switch it up, toasted almonds or even sunflower seeds work beautifully! If you’re not a fan of feta, creamy goat cheese is an absolutely divine substitute, or you can just leave it out entirely if you’re keeping it dairy-free. And for the dressing’s sweetness, if honey or maple syrup isn’t what you’re after, a little bit of agave nectar is a great option, or even a tiny splash of orange juice adds a different kind of fruity sweetness. It’s all about making this salad your own!

How to Prepare Your Perfect Strawberry Spinach Salad

Alright, let’s get this beautiful Strawberry Spinach Salad put together! It’s so simple, you’ll be amazed. First things first, make sure all your beautiful greens and berries are clean. Gently wash and thoroughly dry your fresh spinach – this is key, trust me! If the leaves are wet, your dressing just slides right off. Then, give those lovely strawberries a wash and slice them up thinly. Now, take your chopped pecans or walnuts and get them ready. If you’re using feta cheese, have that crumbled and waiting too. Next, it’s time for the dressing. Grab a small bowl, and in goes the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and just a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk it all together until it’s nicely combined. Then, in your big salad bowl, combine the dried spinach, sliced strawberries, chopped nuts, and that optional feta. Drizzle your lovely dressing all over everything. The most important final step? Toss it gently! You want to coat everything without bruising the delicate spinach or mushing the berries. It’s ready to serve immediately and enjoy that burst of fresh flavor!

Crafting the Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad Dressing

This dressing is my little secret weapon for making any salad sing! It’s so easy – just whisk together your olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and a touch of salt and pepper. Give it a good whisk until it’s all emulsified and looks lovely. Taste it, though! That’s the most important part. If you like it a little sweeter, add more honey. If you prefer it tangier, a splash more balsamic works wonders. It’s your salad, your dressing!

Tips for a Delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad Every Time

To make sure your Strawberry Spinach Salad is absolutely perfect every single time, a few little tricks really help. First, dry those greens really, really well! I can’t stress this enough. If your spinach is wet, the dressing just won’t stick, and you won’t get that lovely coating. A salad spinner is your best friend here. Also, be gentle when you toss it! You want to coat everything evenly, but you don’t want to mash those beautiful strawberries or wilt the spinach too much. As a chef, I always say serve it right away. This salad is at its absolute best when everything is crisp and fresh. It really makes a difference in the texture and that bright, vibrant flavor!

Flavorful Variations for Your Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad is fantastic as is, but it’s also a wonderful canvas for your own creativity! For a little zing, try adding some thinly sliced red onion – it adds a nice bite that balances the sweetness. If you want to make it a more substantial meal, a bit of grilled chicken or some plump shrimp tossed in makes it incredibly satisfying. And don’t be afraid to play with different berries; blueberries or raspberries can be lovely additions too. It’s all about making this fresh strawberry spinach salad your own special creation!

Serving and Storing Your Strawberry Spinach Salad

This vibrant Strawberry Spinach Salad is so versatile! It’s absolutely delicious on its own for a light lunch, but it also makes a fantastic side dish. I love pairing it with something simple like grilled chicken or fish, or even just a slice of crusty bread to soak up any leftover dressing. If you happen to have any leftovers, which is rare in my house!, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just be aware that the spinach will wilt a bit over time. It’s really best enjoyed fresh right after you toss it!

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Spinach Salad

Got questions about my favorite Strawberry Spinach Salad? I’ve got answers! People often ask, “Can I make this ahead of time?” My advice is to prep all the components – wash and slice the strawberries, chop the nuts, make the dressing – and keep them separate in the fridge. Then, just toss everything together right before serving to keep it super fresh! Wondering about other nuts for this spinach and strawberry salad? Toasted almonds or even pepitas (pumpkin seeds) are fantastic options. And yes, it’s a great candidate for meal prep spinach and strawberry salad if you keep everything separate until serving time. If you want a creamier dressing for your fruit and spinach salad with balsamic, try whisking in a tablespoon of plain Greek yogurt or a tiny bit of Dijon mustard. For other healthy spinach and strawberry salad combinations, think about adding some thinly sliced avocado or a sprinkle of poppy seeds!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Strawberry Spinach Salad

Just a little note that these numbers are estimates and can change a bit depending on the exact ingredients you use. For one serving of this delicious salad, you’re looking at around 300 calories, about 22g of fat (mostly healthy fats from the olive oil and nuts!), 20g of carbohydrates, and 7g of protein. It’s a good source of fiber too, with about 5g!

Perfect Strawberry Spinach Salad: 1 Quick Bite

Author: [email protected]
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A vibrant and refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad, perfect for a light meal or side dish. Features fresh strawberries, crisp spinach, crunchy nuts, and a simple, delicious dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

4 cups fresh spinach
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
For the dressing: 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup, salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Wash and dry the spinach and strawberries.
Slice the strawberries.
Chop the nuts.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, nuts, and feta cheese (if using).
Drizzle the dressing over the salad.
Toss gently to combine.
Serve immediately.

Notes

For added flavor, consider adding red onion slices or grilled chicken.
This salad is best served fresh.
Adjust dressing ingredients to your preference.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 salad
Calories: 300
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 10mg

Keywords: Strawberry Spinach Salad, fresh strawberry spinach salad recipe, healthy spinach and strawberry salad, spinach strawberry salad with nuts, easy strawberry spinach salad dressing, summer strawberry spinach salad ideas, meal prep spinach and strawberry salad, strawberry spinach salad with feta, fruit and spinach salad with balsamic, colorful strawberry spinach salad bowl