Looking for a fresh and tasty dish? You’re in the right place! My Strawberry Spinach Salad combines crisp spinach with delicious strawberries, tangy feta, and crunchy almonds. This vibrant salad hits all the right notes for flavor and nutrition. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be tailored to your taste. Let’s dive into the simple steps and yummy ingredients that make this salad a must-try!
Ingredients
Fresh Produce
– Spinach
– Strawberries
– Red Onion
For this salad, fresh produce is key. I use 4 cups of baby spinach. Make sure to wash and dry it well. Next, I slice 1 cup of ripe strawberries. Their sweetness really shines in this dish. Finally, I add 1/4 cup of finely sliced red onion. This gives a nice bite and balances the sweetness.
Dairy & Nuts
– Feta Cheese
– Sliced Almonds
I love adding 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese. It adds creaminess and saltiness. For crunch, I include 1/2 cup of sliced almonds. Toast them lightly for a richer flavor. They bring a lovely texture to the salad.
Dressing Ingredients
– Balsamic Vinaigrette
– Honey
– Seasoning
For the dressing, I use 1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette. It adds tanginess to the salad. A tablespoon of honey sweetens it up nicely. I season with salt and cracked pepper to taste. This dressing ties all the flavors together perfectly. You can find the full recipe at [Full Recipe].
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation Steps
– Washing and drying spinach
Start by rinsing the fresh baby spinach. Use cool water to clean it well. After washing, use a salad spinner or a clean towel to dry it. This step is key to keep your salad crisp.
– Slicing strawberries
Take ripe strawberries and hull them first. This means you remove the green tops. Then, slice them thinly. Aim for even slices to make the salad look nice.
Assembly Steps
– Mixing ingredients in a bowl
Place the dried spinach in a large bowl. Add the sliced strawberries on top. Then, sprinkle the sliced almonds, crumbled feta, and red onion evenly over the salad. Each ingredient adds color and crunch.
– Drizzling dressing and tossing
In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette and honey. Once mixed well, drizzle the dressing over the salad. Use salad tongs to gently toss everything together. Make sure not to crush the strawberries while mixing.
Serving Suggestions
– Ideal serving vessels
I recommend using clear glass bowls. This way, you can show off the beautiful colors of the salad. The layers will catch the eye of anyone at your table.
– Garnish ideas for presentation
For a nice touch, add a few whole strawberries on top. You can also consider adding a sprinkle of extra feta or a few almonds. This will enhance the look and make it even more appealing.
Tips & Tricks
Ingredient Quality
Choosing ripe strawberries is key. Look for berries that are bright red and firm. Avoid any with green or white patches. These indicate they are not fully ripe. The best spinach varieties for this salad are baby spinach. It has a tender texture and a mild taste. Always choose leaves that are vibrant and free of any browning.
Mixing Techniques
To avoid bruising strawberries, handle them gently. After slicing, add them last to the bowl. Toss the salad softly to keep the fruit intact. For an even coating of dressing, drizzle it slowly. This helps each bite get the right amount of flavor. Use salad tongs for gentle mixing.
Timing and Freshness
Serve the salad right after mixing. This keeps the greens crisp and fresh. If you need to prep in advance, wash and dry the spinach earlier. Keep the strawberries and dressing separate until serving. This way, your salad stays fresh and tasty. For the best experience, enjoy your Strawberry Spinach Salad as soon as possible.
For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions above.
Variations
Additional Protein Options
You can make your Strawberry Spinach Salad even better by adding protein. Here are two great options:
– Grilled chicken: Slice up some grilled chicken breast and add it on top. This makes the salad more filling and gives you a juicy flavor.
– Chickpeas: If you want a plant-based option, add chickpeas. They are high in protein and add a nice texture.
Different Cheese Types
Cheese can change the taste of your salad. Here are two types to try:
– Goat cheese: This cheese has a creamy texture and tangy taste. Crumble it over your salad for a rich flavor.
– Parmesan: Shave some Parmesan cheese on top for a salty kick. It pairs well with strawberries and spinach.
Flavor Enhancements
You can boost the flavor of your salad with some easy changes:
– Adding herbs: Fresh herbs like basil or mint can brighten up the dish. Just chop a few leaves and sprinkle them in.
– Alternate dressings: Try different dressings for variety. A honey mustard or citrus vinaigrette can give a new twist.
These variations help you customize the Strawberry Spinach Salad to fit your taste. For all the details, check the Full Recipe.
Storage Info
Short-term Storage
To keep your Strawberry Spinach Salad fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container. This helps keep moisture out and keeps your salad crisp. If you have leftovers, separate the dressing from the salad. The dressing can make the greens soggy if mixed too soon.
Long-term Storage
Freezing this salad is not recommended. The textures of spinach and strawberries change when frozen. Instead, plan to enjoy it fresh. To maintain freshness, use your salad within two days. Keep it covered in the fridge to slow down wilting.
Reheating Instructions
You do not need to reheat this salad. If the greens wilt, you can revive them. Rinse the spinach in cold water and gently dry it. This helps to restore some of its crunch. You can also add fresh spinach to refresh the salad. Just mix it in before serving.
For the full recipe of this delicious dish, check out the [Full Recipe].
FAQs
Can I make Strawberry Spinach Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can make this salad ahead. To keep it fresh, store each part separately. Place the spinach in one bowl. Keep the sliced strawberries and other toppings in separate containers. Mix everything right before serving. This way, the spinach stays crisp, and the strawberries remain juicy.
What can I substitute for feta cheese?
If you want to switch out feta, try goat cheese. It has a creamy texture and tangy flavor. You can also use ricotta for a milder taste. For a dairy-free option, try crumbled tofu or nutritional yeast. Each choice brings a unique taste to the salad.
How can I add more flavor to the dressing?
To boost your dressing’s flavor, add fresh herbs like basil or mint. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the taste, too. You can mix in a dash of mustard for a kick. Experiment with spices like garlic powder or crushed red pepper for extra zest.
This blog post covered how to make a delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad. We explored fresh ingredients, dressing options, and simple steps for preparation and serving. Quality matters, so use ripe produce. You can mix things up with proteins and cheese. Proper storage keeps your salad fresh longer. Remember, make it your own with herbs or alternative dressings. Enjoy this tasty salad today and share it with your loved ones!
![- Spinach - Strawberries - Red Onion For this salad, fresh produce is key. I use 4 cups of baby spinach. Make sure to wash and dry it well. Next, I slice 1 cup of ripe strawberries. Their sweetness really shines in this dish. Finally, I add 1/4 cup of finely sliced red onion. This gives a nice bite and balances the sweetness. - Feta Cheese - Sliced Almonds I love adding 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese. It adds creaminess and saltiness. For crunch, I include 1/2 cup of sliced almonds. Toast them lightly for a richer flavor. They bring a lovely texture to the salad. - Balsamic Vinaigrette - Honey - Seasoning For the dressing, I use 1/4 cup of balsamic vinaigrette. It adds tanginess to the salad. A tablespoon of honey sweetens it up nicely. I season with salt and cracked pepper to taste. This dressing ties all the flavors together perfectly. You can find the full recipe at [Full Recipe]. - Washing and drying spinach Start by rinsing the fresh baby spinach. Use cool water to clean it well. After washing, use a salad spinner or a clean towel to dry it. This step is key to keep your salad crisp. - Slicing strawberries Take ripe strawberries and hull them first. This means you remove the green tops. Then, slice them thinly. Aim for even slices to make the salad look nice. - Mixing ingredients in a bowl Place the dried spinach in a large bowl. Add the sliced strawberries on top. Then, sprinkle the sliced almonds, crumbled feta, and red onion evenly over the salad. Each ingredient adds color and crunch. - Drizzling dressing and tossing In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinaigrette and honey. Once mixed well, drizzle the dressing over the salad. Use salad tongs to gently toss everything together. Make sure not to crush the strawberries while mixing. - Ideal serving vessels I recommend using clear glass bowls. This way, you can show off the beautiful colors of the salad. The layers will catch the eye of anyone at your table. - Garnish ideas for presentation For a nice touch, add a few whole strawberries on top. You can also consider adding a sprinkle of extra feta or a few almonds. This will enhance the look and make it even more appealing. Choosing ripe strawberries is key. Look for berries that are bright red and firm. Avoid any with green or white patches. These indicate they are not fully ripe. The best spinach varieties for this salad are baby spinach. It has a tender texture and a mild taste. Always choose leaves that are vibrant and free of any browning. To avoid bruising strawberries, handle them gently. After slicing, add them last to the bowl. Toss the salad softly to keep the fruit intact. For an even coating of dressing, drizzle it slowly. This helps each bite get the right amount of flavor. Use salad tongs for gentle mixing. Serve the salad right after mixing. This keeps the greens crisp and fresh. If you need to prep in advance, wash and dry the spinach earlier. Keep the strawberries and dressing separate until serving. This way, your salad stays fresh and tasty. For the best experience, enjoy your Strawberry Spinach Salad as soon as possible. For the full recipe, check out the detailed instructions above. {{image_4}} You can make your Strawberry Spinach Salad even better by adding protein. Here are two great options: - Grilled chicken: Slice up some grilled chicken breast and add it on top. This makes the salad more filling and gives you a juicy flavor. - Chickpeas: If you want a plant-based option, add chickpeas. They are high in protein and add a nice texture. Cheese can change the taste of your salad. Here are two types to try: - Goat cheese: This cheese has a creamy texture and tangy taste. Crumble it over your salad for a rich flavor. - Parmesan: Shave some Parmesan cheese on top for a salty kick. It pairs well with strawberries and spinach. You can boost the flavor of your salad with some easy changes: - Adding herbs: Fresh herbs like basil or mint can brighten up the dish. Just chop a few leaves and sprinkle them in. - Alternate dressings: Try different dressings for variety. A honey mustard or citrus vinaigrette can give a new twist. These variations help you customize the Strawberry Spinach Salad to fit your taste. For all the details, check the Full Recipe. To keep your Strawberry Spinach Salad fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container. This helps keep moisture out and keeps your salad crisp. If you have leftovers, separate the dressing from the salad. The dressing can make the greens soggy if mixed too soon. Freezing this salad is not recommended. The textures of spinach and strawberries change when frozen. Instead, plan to enjoy it fresh. To maintain freshness, use your salad within two days. Keep it covered in the fridge to slow down wilting. You do not need to reheat this salad. If the greens wilt, you can revive them. Rinse the spinach in cold water and gently dry it. This helps to restore some of its crunch. You can also add fresh spinach to refresh the salad. Just mix it in before serving. For the full recipe of this delicious dish, check out the [Full Recipe]. Yes, you can make this salad ahead. To keep it fresh, store each part separately. Place the spinach in one bowl. Keep the sliced strawberries and other toppings in separate containers. Mix everything right before serving. This way, the spinach stays crisp, and the strawberries remain juicy. If you want to switch out feta, try goat cheese. It has a creamy texture and tangy flavor. You can also use ricotta for a milder taste. For a dairy-free option, try crumbled tofu or nutritional yeast. Each choice brings a unique taste to the salad. To boost your dressing's flavor, add fresh herbs like basil or mint. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens the taste, too. You can mix in a dash of mustard for a kick. Experiment with spices like garlic powder or crushed red pepper for extra zest. This blog post covered how to make a delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad. We explored fresh ingredients, dressing options, and simple steps for preparation and serving. Quality matters, so use ripe produce. You can mix things up with proteins and cheese. Proper storage keeps your salad fresh longer. Remember, make it your own with herbs or alternative dressings. Enjoy this tasty salad today and share it with your loved ones!](https://spoonfulsavory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/09668dac-20a9-4399-beed-b5ae798e00d9-250x250.webp)