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.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted (or pecans)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
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
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 240 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, fresh salad, summer salad, healthy salad, balsamic dressing, spinach, strawberry salad, light lunch
