This strawberry spinach salad is the perfect light and flavorful summer salad. It is so easy to throw together for a last-minute lunch or a side salad for dinner. There are the perfect amount of crunchy textures and sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
- Strawberries- Fresh, cleaned hulled and sliced.
- Blueberries- Fresh, cleaned and dried.
- Spinach- Make sure to clean it even if it says that it has already been washed. I like to wash it and leave it in the strainer to dry.
- Candied Pecans- You can either make your own or you can buy then already candied in salad topping section of the grocery store.
- Feta Cheese- I used the reduced fat feta and it was perfect.
- Red Onion- Peeled, washed and sliced.
- Avocado- Freshly diced.
- Balsamic Vinegar- is a slightly sweet, dark, richly flavored vinegar.
- Olive Oil- Make sure that it is a good quality olive oil. There is a big taste difference between the different qualities.
- Dijon Mustard- Has a tangy, sharp, and strong flavor with a bit of spice.
- Honey- I like to use local honey whenever possible, but you can use a store bought one as well.
- Salt and Pepper- I like to use fresh ground pepper is tastes so much better.
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Pour vinegar, oil, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper in to a bowel or jar and whisk together. Set aside.
- Wash and dry spinach, strawberries, blueberries and red onion. Slice the strawberries, red onion and avocado. Set aside.
- In a large salad bowl toss together spinach, strawberries, blueberries, feta, red onion, avocado and candied pecans. Pour 1/3 of the dressing over the salad and toss. Serve Immediately.
Can I Make This Salad In Advance
Yes! When you are making this salad in advance just make sure you store all of your fresh produce in separate containers. Also, because avocados will start to turn brown after being cut it is best to cut them up right before serving.
Once you pour the balsamic dressing on the salad you will want to serve it immediately because the salad will start to wilt and lose some of those delicious crispy textures.
Tips and Variations
- Some of my other favorite berries to use in this salad are blackberries and raspberries.
- If you don’t have candies pecans you can substitute candied walnuts, almonds, or cashews.
- You can also substitute feta cheese, I have used shredded parmesan cheese, mozzarella, or crumbly goat cheese.
- If you want to add protein to this salad try this Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Thighs.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 12 ounces baby spinach
- 1/4 cup sliced red onion
- 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 avocado cut into bite-size pieces
- 3/4 cup feta cheese
- 3/4 cup candied pecans
Dressing
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- salt and fresh ground pepper
Instructions
- Pour vinegar, oil, dijon mustard, salt and pepper in to a bowel or jar and whisk together. Set aside.
- Wash and dry spinach, strawberries, blueberries and red onion. Slice the strawberries, red onion and avocado. Set aside.
- In a large salad bowl toss together spinach, strawberries, blueberries, feta, red onion, avocado and candied pecans. Pour 1/3 of the dressing over the salad and toss. Serve Immediately.
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?
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