Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Balsamic Bliss Dressing
A bright and fresh salad combining ripe strawberries, tender baby spinach, crunchy nuts, creamy feta, and a tangy balsamic bliss dressing. Perfect for quick meals, potlucks, or a light lunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach (about 180g), washed and dried
- 2 cups strawberries (about 300g), hulled and sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese (about 75g), crumbled
- ½ cup sliced almonds or pecans (about 50g), toasted
- ¼ cup red onion (about 40g), thinly sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar (60ml)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (30ml)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (15g)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the baby spinach leaves under cold water and spin dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels.
- Hull and slice the strawberries into even pieces, about ¼ inch thick.
- Toast the sliced almonds or pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently for 3-5 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Thinly slice the red onion. If desired, soak slices in cold water for 5 minutes and drain to mellow the sharpness.
- In a small bowl or jar, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey (or maple syrup), Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- In a large mixing bowl, gently combine spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted nuts, red onion, and crumbled feta.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly without overdressing.
- Serve immediately, or keep dressing separate and toss just before serving to maintain crispness.
Notes
Do not overdress the salad to avoid sogginess. Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best flavor. Toast nuts lightly to enhance crunch and flavor. Dry spinach thoroughly to maintain crispness. For vegan version, replace honey with maple syrup and omit feta or use plant-based cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1.5 cups per s
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 13.5
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 16.5
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 6
Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, balsamic dressing, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, summer salad, quick salad