Strawberry Spinach Salad

Imagine the perfect balance of sweet, juicy strawberries against crisp, vibrant spinach leaves, all dressed in a tangy-sweet vinaigrette that brings the flavors to life. This refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad is summer captured in a bowl—colorful, nutritious, and bursting with seasonal goodness. The contrast between the tender spinach and the bright, ruby-red berries creates a dish that’s as beautiful to look at as it is delightful to eat. You’ll learn how to create a perfectly balanced salad that will impress at any gathering, from casual lunches to elegant dinner parties.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The Strawberry Spinach Salad offers an irresistible combination of flavors and textures that make it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The natural sweetness of ripe strawberries complements the slightly earthy notes of fresh spinach, while the addition of creamy feta or goat cheese provides a savory richness that balances each bite. What makes this salad truly special is the textural contrast—crisp spinach, juicy berries, crunchy nuts, and creamy cheese create a symphony of sensations with every forkful.

This recipe is incredibly versatile, perfect for a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or even as an elegant starter for dinner parties. It’s also wonderfully quick to prepare, requiring no cooking and coming together in just 15 minutes. The vibrant colors make for a stunning presentation that will have everyone reaching for seconds before they’ve even taken their first bite.

Perhaps best of all, this Strawberry Spinach Salad manages to be both indulgently delicious and remarkably nutritious—packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fresh, wholesome ingredients that leave you feeling satisfied yet light.

Ingredients

For the Strawberry Spinach Salad:

• 6 cups (180g) fresh baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
• 2 cups (300g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup (50g) thinly sliced red onion
• 3/4 cup (90g) crumbled feta or goat cheese
• 1/2 cup (60g) candied or toasted sliced almonds or walnuts
• 1/3 cup (40g) dried cranberries (optional)

For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:

• 3 tablespoons (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) honey or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon (5ml) Dijon mustard
• 1 small clove garlic, minced (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

The quality of strawberries is crucial—look for bright red, fragrant berries that are firm but yield slightly to pressure. Baby spinach offers the best tender texture, but regular spinach works well too if torn into bite-sized pieces.

Pro Tips

Creating the perfect Strawberry Spinach Salad relies on a few key techniques that elevate it from good to exceptional:

Properly Dry Your Greens: After washing your spinach, ensure it’s thoroughly dried using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towels. Excess water dilutes the dressing and creates a soggy salad. Dry spinach also helps the dressing adhere better to the leaves, distributing flavor more evenly.

Dress Just Before Serving: Spinach is delicate and can wilt quickly once dressed. For the crispest texture, toss the salad with dressing no more than 5 minutes before serving. If preparing in advance, keep the dressing separate until the last moment. This preserves the bright, fresh appearance and prevents the spinach from breaking down.

Balance the Flavors: The magic of this salad lies in balancing sweet, tangy, and savory elements. Taste your dressing before adding it to ensure the sweetness of honey balances the acidity of the vinegar. Similarly, the amount of red onion should complement—not overpower—the delicate flavors of strawberry and spinach. If your onion is particularly sharp, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry to mellow the flavor.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic (if using), salt, and pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until the dressing is well emulsified. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the salad ingredients. This can be done up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator—just bring to room temperature and shake again before using.

Step 2: Toast the Nuts (If Not Using Pre-Candied)
If you’re using plain nuts, enhance their flavor by toasting them lightly. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and add the nuts, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until they become fragrant and lightly golden. Watch carefully as nuts can burn quickly! Remove from heat immediately and transfer to a plate to cool completely.

Step 3: Prepare the Strawberries
Hull the strawberries by removing the green leafy top and the white core just beneath it. Slice the strawberries into even, thin slices (about 1/4-inch thick) to distribute their sweet flavor throughout the salad. For a visually appealing presentation, try to make the slices uniform in size.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, place the clean, dry spinach as the base layer. Add the sliced strawberries, red onion, dried cranberries (if using), and about half of the cheese and nuts, reserving some for garnish. This layering technique ensures guests get a bit of everything in each serving.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
When ready to serve, drizzle about half the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat the ingredients. Add more dressing as needed—remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away! Sprinkle the remaining cheese and nuts on top for a beautiful presentation. Serve immediately while the spinach is still crisp and the flavors are at their peak.

Variations

Mediterranean Twist: Transform your Strawberry Spinach Salad into a Mediterranean-inspired dish by swapping feta for goat cheese, adding 1/2 cup of pitted Kalamata olives, and 1/4 cup of thinly sliced fresh basil leaves. Replace the almonds with toasted pine nuts, and add a teaspoon of honey to the dressing for a delightful contrast to the briny olives. This variation pairs wonderfully with grilled fish or chicken.

Protein-Packed Meal Salad: Turn this side dish into a complete meal by adding grilled chicken breast, sliced into strips, or 1 cup of cooked quinoa for a vegetarian option. Add 1/2 cup of diced avocado for healthy fats and a creamy texture. This heartier version makes an excellent lunch that will keep you satisfied for hours while still maintaining the fresh, vibrant flavors of the original Strawberry Spinach Salad.

Fall Harvest Version: When strawberries aren’t in season, create an autumn variation with 1 cup of thinly sliced crisp apple (such as Honeycrisp or Pink Lady) and 1 cup of sliced pears. Replace the balsamic vinaigrette with an apple cider vinaigrette by using apple cider vinegar instead of balsamic and adding 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon to the dressing. Use pecans instead of almonds for a seasonal twist.

Storage and Serving

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is best enjoyed fresh, immediately after assembly. However, if you need to prepare components ahead of time, store washed and dried spinach wrapped in paper towels inside a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Prepared strawberries can be stored separately for up to 24 hours, and the dressing will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

For the most impressive presentation, serve the salad in a large, shallow white bowl that showcases the vibrant colors of the ingredients. Alternatively, plate individual portions on chilled salad plates for an elegant dinner party starter.

This refreshing salad pairs beautifully with grilled proteins like lemon herb chicken, salmon, or shrimp for a complete summer meal. For a vegetarian feast, serve alongside a creamy risotto or crusty artisan bread with herbed butter. It also makes an excellent companion to quiche or frittata for a sophisticated brunch offering.

For a creative twist, serve small portions of the Strawberry Spinach Salad in individual glasses or mason jars as a unique appetizer that guests can eat with a fork while mingling at your next gathering.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time for a party?
You can prepare all components separately up to 24 hours in advance, but assemble and dress the salad no more than 5-10 minutes before serving. Store prepared ingredients in separate containers in the refrigerator, and combine just before your guests arrive.

What can I use instead of spinach?
Arugula makes an excellent substitute, adding a peppery flavor that complements the sweet strawberries. Mixed spring greens or butter lettuce also work well. Avoid sturdy greens like kale or romaine, which overpower the delicate flavors.

My strawberries aren’t very sweet. How can I improve the flavor?
If your strawberries lack sweetness, toss them with 1 tablespoon of sugar and let them sit for 15 minutes before adding to the salad. The sugar draws out juices and enhances natural sweetness. You can also increase the honey in the dressing slightly.

Can I make this salad dairy-free?
Absolutely! Simply omit the cheese or substitute with a dairy-free alternative. Avocado adds creaminess, or try a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheese-like flavor without dairy.

What’s the best way to prevent a soggy salad?
Thoroughly dry your spinach after washing, and only dress the salad immediately before serving. If transporting to an event, pack the dressing separately and toss just before eating.

Conclusion

This Strawberry Spinach Salad is refreshment personified — a vibrant celebration of summer’s finest flavors that delights both the eye and the palate. It’s the kind of dish that transforms ordinary meals into special occasions with its beautiful colors and perfectly balanced combination of sweet, tangy, and savory elements. Whether served at a backyard barbecue, an elegant dinner party, or simply enjoyed as a nutritious lunch, this salad consistently delivers impressive results with minimal effort. The next time you’re looking for a dish that combines healthfulness with pure culinary pleasure, this Strawberry Spinach Salad promises to deliver with every bite.

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