Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Goat Cheese

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad

This strawberry spinach salad is quick to toss together, packed with fresh flavors, and fits right into your busy day. Imagine sweet strawberries dancing with crisp spinach, topped with crunchy pecans and creamy feta, all tied together by a homemade poppy seed dressing. It’s a summer salad that feels light yet satisfying, perfect for pairing with your favorite grilled meats from the backyard BBQ.

Ease of preparation makes this strawberry spinach salad recipe with balsamic vinaigrette and goat cheese a total winner. You only need about 20 minutes total, with 15 minutes prep and 8-10 minutes to toast the nuts. No fancy cooking skills required, just simple steps anyone can handle, even on a hectic weeknight.

Health perks shine through in every bite of this healthy strawberry spinach salad with vinaigrette. Strawberries bring vitamin C for immunity, while spinach offers iron and folate. Check out the health benefits of strawberries and the nutritional power of spinach to see why this combo supports heart health and digestion. Low in calories at around 249 per serving, it keeps things light without skimping on taste.

• Versatility lets you tweak this easy strawberry spinach salad recipe for any meal or diet. Add grilled chicken to make it hearty, or keep it veggie-packed.
• Flavor balance pops with juicy berries, tangy dressing, and nutty crunch, making it the best dressing for strawberry spinach salad hands down.

This strawberry spinach salad is like a fresh burst of summer on your plate, simple enough for lunch but fancy enough for company.

Whether for a potluck or everyday eating, this strawberry spinach salad with goat cheese and balsamic keeps everyone happy.

Essential Ingredients for Strawberry Spinach Salad

Grab these fresh picks for a strawberry spinach salad that serves 6. Everything comes together easily for this berry salad favorite.

Salad Ingredients

• 3/4 cup raw pecans (about 75 g)
• 1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced (about 40 to 60 g)
• 10 oz fresh baby spinach (about 283 g)
• 1 quart strawberries, hulled and quartered (about 4 cups / ~450 g)
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 110 to 115 g)

Poppy Seed Dressing Ingredients

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (60 ml)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (45 ml)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds (1.5 tbsp ≈ 13 to 15 g)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons honey (22.5 ml; ≈ 30 to 35 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard (2.5 ml)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (2.5 ml; ≈ 2.5 to 3 g)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper (≈ 0.6 ml)

Nutritional Information Per Serving (Approximate)

Swap feta for goat cheese if you prefer a tangier bite. For nut-free, try sunflower seeds.

How to Prepare the Perfect Strawberry Spinach Salad: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Toast the Pecans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread 3/4 cup raw pecans on an ungreased baking sheet. Toast for 8 to 10 minutes until they smell nutty and fragrant. Let them cool, then roughly chop. This step adds that perfect crunch to your strawberry spinach salad.

Step 2: Prep the Onion and Other Base Ingredients

Slice 1/2 small red onion very thinly and soak the slices in a bowl of cold water. This mellows the sharp bite while you work. Hull and quarter 1 quart strawberries to get about 4 cups. Rinse 10 oz baby spinach and pat dry.

Step 3: Whip Up the Poppy Seed Dressing

In a bowl or jar, whisk together 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds, 1 1/2 tablespoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Shake or stir until smooth. Taste and tweak if needed. This is the best dressing for strawberry spinach salad, balancing sweet and tangy notes.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

In a large bowl, toss the baby spinach, quartered strawberries, and drained red onion slices. Drizzle half the dressing over the top and gently mix to coat. Add more dressing little by little to avoid sogginess.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle on 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese and the chopped toasted pecans. Give it a light toss and serve right away. Pass extra dressing at the table. Total time is about 20 minutes, perfect for busy cooks.

To make it a main, toss in grilled chicken. Check out this easy grilled chicken breast recipe to pair perfectly.

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Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Strawberry Spinach Salad

Protein Boosts for a Main Dish

• Grilled or shredded chicken: Adds filling power, grill to juicy perfection.
• Cooked grains like quinoa, farro, or pasta: Keeps it hearty and gluten-free friendly.

Other Swaps

Use ripe sweet strawberries, or sub other berries or mandarin segments. For allergies, swap pecans with slivered almonds, walnuts, or toasted sunflower seeds. Crumble feta from a block for better texture, or try goat cheese. Soak onions in cold water always to cut sharpness.

Vegan? Skip cheese or use a plant-based version, and it’s ready. All naturally gluten-free.

Mastering Strawberry Spinach Salad: Advanced Tips and Variations

Pro Tips for Flavor and Texture

Toast nuts to bring out crunch, and dress just before serving. Store undressed salad up to 4 days in the fridge, dressing up to 5 days separate. For creamier feta, crumble from a block.

Fun Variations

Try strawberry spinach salad with candied pecans for extra sweet crunch. Mix in arugula for a peppery twist in this strawberry spinach and arugula salad. Perfect for summer potluck as strawberry spinach salad for summer potluck.

Pair with crusty bread or your go-to grilled sides, like this grilled corn salad.

Make-Ahead and Presentation

Prep ahead but assemble fresh. Layer for pretty presentation, strawberries shining bright.

Keep it simple, and this salad steals the show every time.

How to Store Strawberry Spinach Salad: Best Practices

Keep components separate for freshness. Spinach in a paper towel-lined container up to 4 days. Strawberries last 1-2 days sliced. Dressing in a jar up to 5 days. Toss fresh to stay crisp. No freezing the full salad, but proteins ok solo. Serve cold or room temp, no reheating greens.

For meal prep, layer jars: dressing bottom, then sturdy bits, greens top.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad

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🥗 Fresh and vibrant salad that combines tender spinach, sweet strawberries, and creamy goat cheese for a perfect balance of flavors and textures
🍓 Light yet satisfying meal that’s packed with nutrients and dressed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette that brings all the ingredients together beautifully

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

3/4 cup raw pecans

1/2 small red onion

10 oz fresh baby spinach

1 quart strawberries

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds

1 1/2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

1-Step 1: Toast the Pecans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread 3/4 cup raw pecans on an ungreased baking sheet. Toast for 8 to 10 minutes until they smell nutty and fragrant. Let them cool, then roughly chop. This step adds that perfect crunch to your strawberry spinach salad.

2-Step 2: Prep the Onion and Other Base Ingredients
Slice 1/2 small red onion very thinly and soak the slices in a bowl of cold water. This mellows the sharp bite while you work. Hull and quarter 1 quart strawberries to get about 4 cups. Rinse 10 oz baby spinach and pat dry.

3-Step 3: Whip Up the Poppy Seed Dressing
In a bowl or jar, whisk together 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds, 1 1/2 tablespoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Shake or stir until smooth. Taste and tweak if needed. This is the best dressing for strawberry spinach salad, balancing sweet and tangy notes.

4-Step 4: Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, toss the baby spinach, quartered strawberries, and drained red onion slices. Drizzle half the dressing over the top and gently mix to coat. Add more dressing little by little to avoid sogginess.

5-Step 5: Finish and Serve
Sprinkle on 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese and the chopped toasted pecans. Give it a light toss and serve right away. Pass extra dressing at the table. Total time is about 20 minutes, perfect for busy cooks.

Last Step:

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Notes

🥗 Use ripe, sweet strawberries for best flavor – they should be bright red and fragrant for the sweetest taste
🧷 Let the red onion soak in cold water for at least 10 minutes to reduce sharpness while maintaining flavor
🥛 Bring goat cheese to room temperature before crumbling for easier handling and creamier texture throughout the salad

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-bake
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
• Calories: 249
• Sugar: 10
• Sodium: 320
• Fat: 20
• Saturated Fat: 6
• Unsaturated Fat: 12
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 16
• Fiber: 4
• Protein: 6
• Cholesterol: 20