When summer brings its bounty of fresh produce, there’s nothing quite like a vibrant Strawberry Spinach Salad to celebrate the season. This is one of our family favorites and one we make often.
This fresh salad combines simple ingredients. The sweetness of ripe strawberries with the earthy tones of fresh baby spinach, balanced perfectly by a tangy balsamic dressing and crunchy toppings. It’s a delightful blend of flavors and textures that’s sure to impress at any meal.
Why You’ll Love It
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Its vibrant colors and fresh ingredients make it a perfect addition to any summer gathering or a light lunch on a warm day. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply enjoying a meal with loved ones, this salad is sure to be a hit.
Enjoy the bright flavors and wholesome goodness of this Strawberry Spinach Salad. It’s a refreshing way to savor the flavors of the season!
Deliciously Fresh: Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
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Kitchen Essentials
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces Fresh Spinach you can also mix in some salad greens for variety
- 16 Ounces Fresh Strawberries stems removed and sliced
- ½ Cup Crumbled Cheese choose from goat cheese, gorgonzola, blue cheese, or feta
- ½ Cup Chopped Pecans or other nets
For the balsamic vinaigrette dressing
- ½ Cup Olive Oil
- ⅓ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Teaspoons Maple Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Set aside.½ Cup Olive Oil, ⅓ Cup Balsamic Vinegar, 2 Teaspoons Maple Syrup, 1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard, Salt and Black Pepper to taste
- Assemble the Salad. In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh spinach (and mixed greens if using), sliced strawberries, crumbled cheese, and chopped pecans.16 Ounces Fresh Spinach, 16 Ounces Fresh Strawberries, ½ Cup Crumbled Cheese, ½ Cup Chopped Pecans
- Toss and Serve. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated with the dressing.
- You can either plate individual servings of the salad and serve the dressing on the side or toss the entire salad and serve immediately for family-style dining.
Your Own Private Notes
Nutrition
Customize Your New Favorite Salad
The best part, it is easy to prepare this delicious salad in different ways using sweet strawberries and fresh spinach as a base.
Freshness Matters. Use the freshest ingredients possible for the best flavors. This salad thrives on the natural sweetness of ripe juicy strawberries and the crispness of fresh spinach.
Red Onion. If I have it on hand, I will add a few thin slices of red onion.
Leafy Greens. Mix and match the spinach with other leafy greens from your garden or grocery store.
Lemon Juice. You can swap out some of the balsamic vinegar for lemon juice. The dressing will have a little lighter zing.
Different Types of Cheese to Try
Experiment with different types of cheese to find your favorite combination. Each variety adds its own unique flair to the salad.
Goat Cheese (Chèvre). Goat cheese has a tangy, slightly acidic flavor with earthy undertones. The taste can range from mild and creamy to sharp and pungent, depending on its age.
Fresh goat cheese is soft, creamy, and spreadable. As it ages, it becomes firmer and more crumbly.
Gorgonzola. Gorgonzola is a type of blue cheese that has a rich, strong flavor with a creamy, buttery taste and a slightly salty finish. It can range from mild to sharp, depending on its age.
It is creamy with blue or greenish veins running through it. The younger varieties are milder and creamier, while aged Gorgonzola is firmer and more intense.
Blue Cheese. Blue cheese is known for its bold, pungent flavor with a tangy and salty bite. The mold veins give it a sharpness that can be quite strong and distinct.
Blue cheese is creamy and crumbly, with a moist consistency. The mold streaks throughout the cheese give it a unique texture and appearance.
Feta. Feta has a tangy, salty, and slightly briny flavor. It’s less pungent than blue cheese or Gorgonzola and has a refreshing acidity that makes it versatile in salads and savory dishes.
Salty Feta cheese is crumbly and firm, but it also has a creamy mouthfeel. It’s often packed in brine, which enhances its salty flavor and keeps it moist.
Each of these cheeses offers a distinct flavor profile that can add depth and character to dishes like your Strawberry Spinach Salad.
Switch up the Nuts and Seeds
Adding seeds to your salad can enhance its texture and nutritional value. For best results, toast them before adding. Here are some different types of seeds you can use.
Sunflower Seeds. Mild, nutty flavor with a nice crunch. They’re a popular choice for adding a bit of texture to salads without overpowering other ingredients.
Pumpkin Seeds (Pepitas). Flavor & Texture: Slightly sweet and nutty flavor with a tender crunch. These seeds add a subtle earthiness to salads.
Sesame Seeds. Light, nutty flavor with a delicate crunch. They can be used whole or toasted to bring out a more intense flavor.
Chia Seeds. Very mild flavor and tiny, crunchy texture. When soaked, they become gelatinous, which can add a unique texture to salads or dressings.
Flax Seeds. Mild, nutty flavor. Flax seeds can be used whole or ground, though ground flax seeds are easier to digest and absorb.
Hemp Seeds. Soft and nutty flavor with a slightly chewy texture. These seeds blend well with a variety of salad ingredients.
Poppy Seeds. Mildly nutty with a subtle crunch. These tiny seeds are often used more for their visual appeal and texture.
Nigella Seeds. Slightly bitter, onion-like flavor with a crunchy texture. They can add an exotic flavor to salads.
Caraway Seeds. Earthy, slightly peppery flavor with a warm aroma. They add a distinctive taste to salads.
Quinoa Seeds. Mild and slightly nutty flavor with a fluffy, chewy texture when cooked. While quinoa is technically a seed, it’s often treated like a grain.
You can mix and match these seeds in your salads to create different flavor and texture combinations, adding both visual appeal and nutritional benefits to your dishes.
Make It Ahead
You can prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
For best flavor, toss the salad just before serving to keep it crisp and fresh.
Serve with Style
Garnish with a few whole strawberries. When I’m making this for a Sunday dinner or when guests are over, I like to make it a bit fancier. Take at least one strawberry with the green tops left on for each plated salad. Make small slices and fan out for a pretty display.
Add a sprinkle of additional chopped pecans for an extra touch of elegance.
When it’s strawberry season we have this delicious strawberry spinach salad on repeat. It’s the perfect summer salad.
My family loved this!