Strawberry Spinach Salad is a fresh, colorful salad made with tender spinach, sweet strawberries, crunchy nuts, creamy cheese, and a simple homemade balsamic dressing. It has a nice mix of sweet, tangy, crisp, and creamy in every bite.
This salad is easy enough for a quick lunch but pretty enough for spring dinners, summer cookouts, brunch, or holiday meals. It comes together fast and works well as a side dish or a light main meal with grilled chicken or salmon.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Quick to make: You can have it ready in about 15 minutes.
Fresh and colorful: Strawberries and spinach make the salad bright and inviting.
Easy to customize: Swap the nuts, cheese, or dressing based on what you have.
Great for meals: Serve it as a side or add protein to make it more filling.
Equipment Needed
Large salad bowl
Small mixing bowl or jar with lid
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Measuring cups and spoons
Salad tongs or large spoon
Ingredients List
For the Salad
6 cups fresh baby spinach
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
1/3 cup chopped pecans, walnuts, or sliced almonds
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1/2 avocado, diced, optional
For the Balsamic Dressing
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Timing & Servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 servings
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad Step by Step
Step 1: Prepare the Produce
Wash and dry the spinach well. If the spinach is wet, the dressing will not coat the leaves nicely.
Hull and slice the strawberries. Thinly slice the red onion and dice the avocado if using.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
Whisk well, or close the jar and shake until the dressing looks smooth.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
Add the baby spinach to a large salad bowl.
Top with sliced strawberries, feta cheese, chopped nuts, red onion, and avocado if using.
Step 4: Add the Dressing
Drizzle the dressing over the salad right before serving.
Toss gently so the spinach stays fresh and the strawberries do not break apart.
Step 5: Serve Fresh
Taste and add a little extra salt, pepper, or balsamic vinegar if needed.
Serve right away for the best texture.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Use ripe strawberries for the best natural sweetness. They should be red, fragrant, and not too soft.
- Dry the spinach after washing. A salad spinner works well, but paper towels also help.
- Add the dressing just before serving. Spinach wilts quickly once it is dressed.
- Slice the onion thinly so it adds flavor without being too strong.
- For extra crunch, toast the nuts in a dry skillet for 2 to 3 minutes. Let them cool before adding them to the salad.
Variations to Try
Add chicken: Top the salad with grilled or rotisserie chicken for a full meal.
Use a different cheese: Try goat cheese, blue cheese, or shaved Parmesan.
Change the fruit: Use blueberries, raspberries, peaches, or mandarin oranges.
Make it nut-free: Use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead of nuts.
Use a creamy dressing: A poppy seed dressing also pairs well with strawberries and spinach.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this salad with grilled chicken, baked salmon, shrimp, turkey sandwiches, or pasta dishes.
It also works well with brunch foods like quiche, egg bites, muffins, or a light breakfast casserole.
For a complete meal, add chicken, chickpeas, salmon, or boiled eggs on top. You can also serve it with crusty bread or a small bowl of soup.
Make-Ahead, Storage, and Reheating
You can wash and dry the spinach, slice the strawberries, and make the dressing up to 1 day ahead.
Store the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator. Shake it well before using.
Keep the spinach, strawberries, cheese, nuts, onion, and dressing separate until ready to serve. This keeps the salad fresh and crisp.
Leftover dressed salad is best eaten the same day because spinach wilts quickly. This recipe does not need reheating and is not suitable for freezing.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 245
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 17g
- Protein: 6g
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 310mg
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Equipment
- Large salad bowl
- Small mixing bowl or jar with lid
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Salad tongs or large spoon
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans walnuts, or sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 avocado diced, optional
For the Balsamic Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Produce
- Wash and dry the spinach well. If the spinach is wet, the dressing will not coat the leaves nicely.
- Hull and slice the strawberries. Thinly slice the red onion and dice the avocado if using.
Step 2: Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk well, or close the jar and shake until the dressing looks smooth.
Step 3: Assemble the Salad
- Add the baby spinach to a large salad bowl.
- Top with sliced strawberries, feta cheese, chopped nuts, red onion, and avocado if using.
Step 4: Add the Dressing
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad right before serving.
- Toss gently so the spinach stays fresh and the strawberries do not break apart.
Step 5: Serve Fresh
- Taste and add a little extra salt, pepper, or balsamic vinegar if needed.
- Serve right away for the best texture.
FAQs
Can I make strawberry spinach salad ahead of time?
Yes, but keep the dressing separate until serving. This helps prevent the spinach from wilting.
What dressing goes best with this salad?
Balsamic vinaigrette works very well because it balances the sweet strawberries and creamy cheese.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Fresh strawberries are best for this salad. Frozen strawberries become soft after thawing and can make the salad watery.
What protein can I add?
Grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, turkey, chickpeas, or hard-boiled eggs all work well.
Conclusion
Strawberry Spinach Salad is fresh, simple, and easy to put together with everyday ingredients. It is a great choice when you want a light side dish, a pretty brunch salad, or a quick meal with added protein.