Sweet & Zesty Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe for Summer Joy

Crafting a delightful strawberry spinach salad brings pure joy to any meal.

Vibrant colors and fresh ingredients dance together on your plate.

Crisp spinach leaves create a lush green foundation for sweet, juicy berries.

Delicate flavors mingle with a zesty vinaigrette that awakens every taste bud.

Nutritious and light, this salad offers a perfect balance of texture and taste.

Quick to assemble and guaranteed to impress, you’ll fall in love with every refreshing bite.

Summer’s most elegant dish awaits your culinary adventure.

FAQs About Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

• Can I use a different type of vinegar for the dressing?

Balsamic vinegar has a unique sweet and tangy flavor that works best, but you can substitute with red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar if needed.

• How do I toast pecans for the salad?

Simply spread pecans on a baking sheet and toast in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

• Is this salad healthy?

Absolutely! Spinach is packed with nutrients, strawberries and blueberries offer antioxidants, pecans provide healthy fats, and feta adds protein, making this a nutritious meal.

Why Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe Is Refreshing

• Craft a Gourmet Experience: Transform a simple salad into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal cooking skills, creating an impressive meal that looks and tastes professionally prepared.
• Quick and Nutritious Powerhouse: Pack maximum nutrition into a single bowl with fresh spinach, antioxidant-rich berries, protein-packed feta, and crunchy pecans, making healthy eating deliciously enjoyable.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or as a light lunch, this salad adapts beautifully to different occasions and satisfies various taste preferences with its balanced sweet and tangy profile.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients like goat cheese for feta or add grilled chicken for extra protein, allowing personal creativity while maintaining the salad's delightful core flavor combination.

Ingredients for Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

• Baby Spinach: A tender, nutrient-packed leafy green that forms the fresh foundation of the salad.
• Strawberries: Sweet and juicy berries that add vibrant color and refreshing flavor to the dish.
• Blueberries: Small, antioxidant-rich berries that provide a burst of sweetness and additional texture.

• Feta Cheese: Tangy and crumbly cheese that adds a creamy, salty contrast to the sweet fruits.
• Pecans: Toasted nuts that bring a rich, crunchy element to the salad's overall texture.

• Balsamic Vinegar, Honey (or Brown Sugar): A dynamic duo that creates a sweet and tangy glaze with deep, caramelized flavors when reduced.

How to Prepare Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

Step 1: Create Tangy Balsamic Drizzle

Grab a small saucepan and pour in balsamic vinegar and honey. Warm the mixture over medium heat, letting it bubble gently. Stir occasionally while the liquid reduces and transforms into a glossy, thick glaze. Watch carefully as the sauce becomes syrupy and can coat the back of a spoon. Once perfect, remove from heat and transfer to a cool bowl where the sauce will continue to thicken.

Step 2: Toss Fresh Salad Base

• Baby spinach leaves
• Sliced strawberries
• Blueberries
• Crumbled feta cheese

Gently mix the ingredients to ensure an even distribution of colors and flavors.

Step 3: Finish With Crunchy Topping

Separate the salad into serving bowls. Sprinkle a delightful mix of whole and chopped toasted pecans across the top for a satisfying crunch. Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the salad, allowing its sweet and tangy notes to complement the fresh ingredients. The result is a vibrant, delicious salad that’s both nutritious and incredibly tasty.

Tips for Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

• Toast pecans carefully to enhance their nutty flavor without burning, watching them closely in a dry skillet or oven.
• Swap feta for goat cheese or plant-based alternatives if seeking different dietary options or preferences.
• Prepare balsamic glaze ahead of time and store in refrigerator for up to one week, making meal prep easier and faster.
• Slice strawberries just before serving to prevent wilting and maintain crisp texture of spinach leaves.
• Select fresh, organic baby spinach for maximum nutrition and vibrant green color in the salad.

Delicious Variations for Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

• Summer Berry Boost: Replace blueberries with fresh raspberries and add mandarin orange segments for extra brightness and tropical sweetness.
• Mediterranean Herb Remix: Incorporate chopped fresh basil and replace feta with crumbled goat cheese, introducing a more herbaceous Mediterranean profile.
• Protein Power Salad: Add grilled chicken strips or seared salmon to transform the salad into a complete meal with additional protein and substance.
• Nutty Crunch Variation: Swap pecans for toasted almonds or candied walnuts, creating a different textural experience and nutty undertone.

Pairing Suggestions for Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

• Pair with Sweet White Wine: Complement the salad's fruity and tangy flavors with a crisp Riesling or Gewürztraminer, which will enhance the strawberries and balance the balsamic glaze.
• Elevate with Sparkling Rosé: Match the light, refreshing nature of the salad with a chilled sparkling rosé that echoes the berry notes and provides a delightful effervescence.
• Boost with Goat Cheese Crostini: Create a perfect side by toasting baguette slices and topping them with creamy goat cheese, which mirrors the feta in the salad and adds a luxurious texture contrast.

Storage Tips for Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

• Store salad components separately in airtight containers. Keep dressing in a sealed jar. Spinach and berries will stay fresh for 1-2 days in the refrigerator. Separate pecans and keep them crisp in a dry container.
• Pour cooled balsamic glaze into a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using. Stir well to restore consistency.
• Warm balsamic glaze gently in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir constantly to prevent burning. Alternatively, microwave in short 10-second intervals, stirring between each burst.
• Avoid adding dressing to salad before storing.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Delightful strawberry spinach salad brings Mediterranean freshness to your table with crisp greens and juicy berries. Sweet and tangy dressing complements the vibrant ingredients, promising a refreshing culinary experience you’ll savor with every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Ingredients:

• 10 ounces (283 grams) baby spinach
• 3 cups (450 grams) strawberries
• 1 cup (150 grams) blueberries
• 1/3 cup (50 grams) feta cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) pecans

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) honey or brown sugar

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Instructions

1. Craft a luxurious balsamic reduction by heating balsamic vinegar and honey in a small saucepan over medium temperature. Simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring intermittently until the liquid condenses and transforms into a glossy, spoon-coating glaze.
2. Transfer the reduced balsamic mixture to a heat-resistant container, allowing it to cool and further thicken while developing a rich, concentrated flavor profile.
3. Select a spacious mixing vessel and layer fresh baby spinach leaves as the foundational greens for the salad.
4. Artfully arrange sliced strawberries and vibrant blueberries across the spinach foundation, creating a visually appealing color contrast.
5. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese throughout the salad, ensuring an even distribution of tangy dairy elements.
6. Gently toss the ingredients to integrate flavors and textures without bruising the delicate produce.
7. Distribute the salad into serving dishes, either individually plated or family-style presentation.
8. Enhance the dish by scattering a combination of whole and chopped toasted pecans across the top, introducing a satisfying crunch.
9. Drizzle the cooled balsamic reduction over the salad, allowing its sweet-tangy essence to complement the fresh ingredients and elevate the overall dining experience.

Notes

• Glaze Perfection: Create a silky smooth balsamic reduction by stirring constantly and watching the heat to prevent burning.
• Pecan Prep: Toast pecans in a dry skillet for maximum flavor and crunch, being careful not to burn them while enhancing their nutty taste.
• Berry Brilliance: Wash and pat dry strawberries and blueberries just before serving to maintain their fresh texture and prevent soggy salad.
• Cheese Tip: Crumble feta at the last moment to keep its texture light and prevent clumping, ensuring each bite has a perfect cheese distribution.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 204 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 138 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg