This strawberry spinach salad is a fresh, 20-minute side that pairs sweet berries with feta for an irresistible bite. Bright, crisp, and foolproof, it’s the easiest way to add flavor to any meal.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Every bite is the perfect balance of sweet, juicy strawberries, salty feta, and crunchy almonds, all tossed in a tangy dressing for a fresh, flavor-packed salad everyone loves.
- Time-Saving Tip: Use pre-washed baby spinach and pre-sliced almonds to have this salad ready in minutes.
- Prep Note: Slice the red onions thinly to ensure they provide flavor without overpowering the berries.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this alongside grilled teriyaki chicken or smothered pork chops for the perfect meal.
Simple Salad Ingredients
- Spinach: Use baby spinach and ensure it is completely dry so the dressing clings to it rather than sliding off.
- Berries: Look for deep red berries. If they are extra large, quarter them instead of slicing to keep them bite-sized.
- Dressing: A balsamic vinaigrette adds tang, while poppyseed dressing adds a classic sweetness.
- Add-Ins: Crumble feta for creaminess or swap goat cheese for a milder, tangy flavor. Almonds add crunch (pecans or walnuts work), and soak red onion in ice water for 10 minutes to mellow the bite.
- Variations: Add chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas for protein and turn this salad into a full meal. Swap strawberries with blueberries or peaches, and replace the almonds with sunflower seeds or pepitas for a nut-free option. For extra heartiness, add diced avocado just before serving.
How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients (full recipe below).
- Drizzle with dressing and serve.
Holly’s Salad Secrets
- Dry Your Greens: Use a salad spinner. Wet spinach makes for a soggy salad and diluted dressing.
- Toast in Bulk: Toast a larger batch of almonds and store them in a jar.
- The “Just Before” Rule: Never dress this salad until you are ready to eat, as the salt in the feta and dressing will wilt the spinach quickly.
- Mellow the Onion: If you find raw onion too sharp, substitute with chopped chives or green onions.
- Chill Your Bowl: On hot days, chill the serving bowl in the fridge for 15 minutes to keep the ingredients crisp longer.
- Sweetness Check: If your strawberries are a bit tart, opt for a sweeter dressing like poppyseed to balance the flavor.
Keeping the Crunch
Keep undressed salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If dressed, eat immediately. Serve dressing on the side for leftovers.
Fresh and Flavorful Salads
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Spinach Strawberry Salad
A vibrant, 20-minute salad featuring juicy strawberries and toasted almonds that brings a pop of freshness to any dinner table.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh spinach washed and dried
- 1½ cups strawberries cleaned, hulled and sliced
- 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds toasted*
- ¼ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup prepared salad dressing balsamic, creamy poppyseed or honey mustard
Instructions
- In a large serving bowl, add spinach. Top with strawberries, feta cheese, toasted almonds and red onion.
- Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.
Notes
- *To toast almonds, heat a dry skillet on medium-high. Place chopped almonds in hot skillet and move them around constantly with a spatula until browned. Remove from heat immediately, and allow to cool.
- Refrigerate leftovers in a covered container for up to two days.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 336mg | Potassium: 296mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 3391IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 123mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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