The Strawberry Spinach Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that bursts with a delightful blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. Packed with fresh baby spinach and juicy sliced strawberries, balanced by creamy feta and crunchy toasted walnuts, this salad offers a beautiful variety of textures and colors in every bite. The homemade balsamic dressing ties everything together perfectly, making the Strawberry Spinach Salad a truly irresistible addition to any meal or a wholesome, light lunch on its own.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Strawberry Spinach Salad lies in its simple yet thoughtfully chosen ingredients, each playing an essential role in creating a harmonious balance of taste, texture, and color. From the juicy strawberries to the crunchy walnuts, here’s what you’ll want to gather before you start.

Fresh baby spinach: Provides a tender, nutrient-rich green base packed with vitamins and a gentle earthy flavor.
Fresh strawberries: Add natural sweetness and vibrant red color that make the salad visually stunning.
Red onion: Offers a subtle sharpness and slight crunch, adding contrast to the sweetness of the fruit.
Feta cheese: Brings a creamy, salty note that perfectly complements the fruit and greens.
Walnuts (or pecans): Toasted for maximum crunch and a warm, nutty flavor.
Balsamic vinegar: Adds a tangy sweetness that ties all the flavors together in the dressing.
Olive oil: Gives richness and smoothness to the dressing.
Honey: Enhances the dressing with a natural, subtle sweetness.
Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to elevate every ingredient’s flavor.

How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: Combine the Fresh Ingredients

Start by tossing together the fresh baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and thinly sliced red onion in a large mixing bowl. This fresh combo is the foundation for your Strawberry Spinach Salad, creating a vibrant and colorful palette that’s as inviting to the eyes as it is to the palate.

Step 2: Add Feta Cheese and Toasted Walnuts

Next, gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese along with the toasted walnuts. The creamy feta lends a lush tanginess while the walnuts add a satisfying crunch and a hint of earthiness, transforming the salad from simple greens to a beautifully textured delight.

Step 3: Prepare the Dressing

Whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper in a separate small bowl. This homemade dressing is the secret that unites every element with a perfect balance of tang, sweetness, and richness that will elevate your Strawberry Spinach Salad every time.

Step 4: Dress and Toss the Salad

Drizzle the vibrant dressing over the combined ingredients just before serving. Toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring every leaf and slice is lightly coated with that delicious dressing, creating an even flavor throughout your Strawberry Spinach Salad.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer the dressed salad to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately to savor the freshness of the ingredients. For a more hearty meal, consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas for protein, customizing the salad to suit your taste and nutritional needs.

How to Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad

Garnishes

To add an extra touch of elegance and enhanced texture, consider garnishing your Strawberry Spinach Salad with fresh mint leaves, a sprinkle of chia seeds, or even some shaved Parmesan. These additions not only enrich the salad visually but also create delightful new layers of flavor.

Side Dishes

Strawberry Spinach Salad pairs beautifully with light, summery sides like grilled asparagus, crusty artisan bread, or a simple lemon-herb quinoa. These accompaniments complement the salad’s fresh and vibrant profile while keeping the meal well-balanced and satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

Want to impress your guests? Serve this Strawberry Spinach Salad in individual clear glass bowls or layered in mason jars for a rustic yet chic presentation. You can also use edible flowers or a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds to elevate the visual appeal, making it perfect for spring or summer gatherings.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the salad without dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days to maintain freshness. Keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to prevent the spinach from wilting.

Freezing

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is best enjoyed fresh, as freezing will compromise the texture of the spinach and strawberries. For best results, avoid freezing and instead consume within a couple of days after preparation.

Reheating

Since this is a fresh salad, reheating is not recommended and will alter the crispness of the spinach and the juicy sweetness of the strawberries. Enjoy this salad cold or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I use baby kale instead of spinach?

Absolutely! Baby kale adds a slightly earthier, more robust flavor and is a great alternative if you want a heartier green. Just be sure to massage the kale lightly with a bit of olive oil to soften it before combining with the other ingredients.

What can I substitute for walnuts if I have a nut allergy?

You can substitute toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for the crunch and nutty flavor without triggering nut allergies. These seeds will still add great texture and a nice depth of flavor to the salad.

Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?

This Strawberry Spinach Salad can easily be made vegan by omitting the feta cheese or replacing it with a vegan cheese alternative. The rest of the ingredients and dressing are naturally vegan-friendly.

How long does the dressing keep?

The balsamic vinaigrette dressing can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Give it a good whisk or shake before using, as the ingredients may separate over time.

Can I make this salad ahead for a party?

You can prep all the ingredients in advance and keep them refrigerated separately. Just combine and dress the salad right before serving to preserve the fresh textures and vibrant flavors of your Strawberry Spinach Salad.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a salad that feels like sunshine on a plate, the Strawberry Spinach Salad is an absolute must-try. It’s quick to prepare, packed with flavor, and effortlessly beautiful, making it a perfect go-to for weeknight dinners, weekend gatherings, or anytime you want to brighten your meal. Trust me, once you make it, it will quickly become one of your favorite salads to share again and again.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 13 reviews

Author: Sophie
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing and vibrant Strawberry Spinach Salad featuring fresh baby spinach, sweet strawberries, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy toasted walnuts, all tossed in a homemade balsamic honey dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for dinner, this salad combines sweet, savory, and nutty flavors with a healthy dose of antioxidants and essential nutrients.

Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add 6 cups of fresh baby spinach, 2 cups of hulled and sliced strawberries, and 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion. Gently toss to mix the fresh produce evenly.
Add Cheese and Nuts: Add 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese and 1/2 cup toasted walnuts (or pecans) to the bowl. Carefully toss all ingredients together to combine without breaking the strawberries or crumbling the feta too much.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, salt, and pepper until the dressing is emulsified and smooth.
Dress the Salad: Drizzle the balsamic honey dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to ensure the salad is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
Serve: Transfer the dressed salad to a serving bowl or individual plates and serve immediately to maintain freshness and the crisp texture of the spinach and strawberries.
Optional Protein: For added protein and a more filling meal, feel free to customize with grilled chicken slices or a handful of chickpeas.

Notes

Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
Toast walnuts or pecans lightly to enhance their crunch and flavor.
Adjust honey and balsamic vinegar quantities to suit your sweetness and tang preference.
This salad is best served immediately after dressing to prevent wilting.
Can be made vegetarian by omitting chicken and keeping chickpeas.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Tossing
Cuisine: American