The Cheerful Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe for Sunny Days

Crafting a delightful strawberry spinach salad brings unexpected culinary magic to your plate.

Sweet berries dance alongside crisp green leaves in this refreshing combination.

Nutritious ingredients merge into a vibrant dish that feels like summer on a fork.

Bright red strawberries provide natural sweetness while tender spinach adds robust earthiness to each bite.

Fresh herbs and a light vinaigrette create perfect harmony between flavors and textures.

Crumbled feta cheese introduces a tangy counterpoint that makes this salad irresistibly complex.

You’ll want to savor every colorful, nutrient-packed forkful of this simple yet elegant creation.

Why This Salad Is a Fresh Favorite

• Combines powerful ingredients like spinach, strawberries, and almonds, delivering a punch of vitamins, antioxidants, and healthy fats in every bite.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ingredients or adding protein like grilled chicken or shrimp to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.
• Stunning color combination of red strawberries and green spinach creates an eye-catching salad that impresses at potlucks, brunches, or casual gatherings.

What You Need for Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Baby Spinach: Fresh and nutrient-packed leafy green.
• Strawberries: Sweet and vibrant seasonal fruit.

• Cucumber, Avocado, Green Onions: Crisp and refreshing vegetable mix.

• Almonds: Crunchy and protein-rich nut.
• Chia Seeds, Poppy Seeds: Tiny nutritional boosters.
• Balsamic Vinaigrette: Tangy and flavorful dressing.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasoning to enhance overall taste.

Building a Perfect Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: Wash and Prep Greens and Berries

Carefully rinse baby spinach and strawberries under cool running water.

Pat them dry with clean paper towels.

Slice strawberries into thin, delicate pieces that will showcase their vibrant red color and sweet profile.

Step 2: Chop Supporting Vegetables

Slice cucumber into thin rounds.

Cut avocado into creamy cubes.

Finely chop green onions to add a subtle onion kick to the salad.

Step 3: Toast Nutty Crunch

Heat a dry skillet over medium flame.

Add almonds and gently toast them, stirring continuously.

Watch closely to prevent burning.

Remove from heat when almonds turn golden brown and release a warm, nutty aroma.

Let them cool completely.

Step 4: Build the Salad Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, cucumber rounds, avocado cubes, and chopped green onions.

Gently mix the ingredients to create a colorful and textured foundation.

Step 5: Sprinkle Crunchy Toppings

Scatter toasted almonds over the salad.

Dust the surface with chia or poppy seeds for added texture and nutritional boost.

Step 6: Dress and Toss

Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette across the salad.

Use a light hand to toss ingredients, ensuring every element gets a gentle coating of dressing.

Step 7: Season to Perfection

Sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the salad’s natural flavors.

Adjust seasoning according to personal preference.

Step 8: Serve and Savor

Transfer the salad to serving plates immediately.

Enjoy the fresh, vibrant combination of sweet, crisp, and nutty elements in each delightful bite.

Tips for a Crisp, Bright Salad

• Rinse produce just before preparing to maintain crisp texture and prevent wilting of delicate spinach leaves.
• Add sliced avocado at the last minute to keep it bright green and prevent oxidation.
• Toast almonds slowly and watch carefully to develop rich, nutty notes without burning.
• Chop vegetables and toast nuts in advance, storing separately to assemble quickly when ready to serve.
• Toss salad with vinaigrette just before serving to keep spinach leaves from becoming soggy and wilted.

How to Keep Strawberry Salad Fresh

• Store salad components separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days. Keep dressing in a sealed jar in the fridge.
• Avoid mixing wet ingredients like avocado and dressing until ready to eat to prevent sogginess.
• Before serving leftover salad, drain excess moisture, add fresh spinach leaves, and re-toss with a splash of vinaigrette.
• Do not freeze this salad as spinach, strawberries, and avocado will lose texture and become mushy when thawed.

Great Pairings for Spinach and Strawberry Salad

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc complements the salad's fresh strawberries and light spinach, balancing the tangy balsamic vinaigrette with its bright, citrusy notes.
• Create Protein Harmony: Grilled chicken breast or seared salmon adds lean protein, enhancing the salad's nutritional profile while providing a satisfying, savory counterpoint to the sweet strawberries.
• Elevate with Goat Cheese: Crumbled soft goat cheese introduces a creamy, tangy element that beautifully melds with the balsamic dressing and adds richness to the fresh, green base.
• Complete the Meal with Crusty Bread: Serve alongside a rustic sourdough or herbed focaccia to soak up the delicious vinaigrette and provide a textural contrast to the crisp salad ingredients.

Salad Add-Ons and Variations to Try

• Vegan Power Salad: Replace almonds with pumpkin seeds for a nut-free option. Swap balsamic vinaigrette with a tahini-lemon dressing for extra protein and creamy texture.
• Protein Boost Salad: Add grilled chicken or hard-boiled eggs for increased protein content. Use quinoa instead of plain spinach to enhance nutritional value.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Eliminate cucumber and replace strawberries with raspberries for lower carbohydrate count. Add crumbled feta cheese and replace balsamic with olive oil and apple cider vinegar mixture.
• Mediterranean Spin: Include kalamata olives, crumbled goat cheese, and swap almonds for pine nuts. Use a Greek-style vinaigrette with oregano and lemon juice for authentic Mediterranean flavors.

FAQs

• Are chia and poppy seeds nutritious?

Yes, both are nutrient-dense seeds packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and minerals. Chia seeds offer calcium and protein, while poppy seeds provide iron and antioxidants.

• Can I substitute almonds with other nuts?

Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or pistachios work great. Each nut brings a unique flavor and crunch to the salad while maintaining nutritional benefits.

• Is this salad good for weight management?

Definitely. Spinach is low in calories, high in nutrients, and the combination of vegetables, fruits, and nuts creates a filling, balanced meal that supports healthy weight goals.

• How can I make this salad more protein-rich?

Add grilled chicken, crumbled feta cheese, or hard-boiled eggs. These protein sources will transform the salad into a more substantial and satisfying meal option.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sweet strawberries dance with crisp spinach in this refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad, creating a perfect balance of fruity and earthy flavors. Light and elegant, this salad will delight with its simple yet sophisticated combination of fresh ingredients and zesty poppy seed dressing.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 cups baby spinach
• 1.5 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 0.25 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
• 0.5 avocado, diced
• 0.25 cup cucumber, chopped

Herbs and Seeds:

• 1 teaspoon chia or poppy seeds
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 0.25 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Meticulously cleanse baby spinach and strawberries, ensuring they are completely dry. Delicately slice strawberries into elegant, thin pieces.
2. Prepare supporting ingredients by thinly slicing cucumber and avocado, then finely chopping green onions with precision.
3. Activate the skillet over medium heat and carefully toast almonds for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully until they develop a golden, aromatic hue. Allow almonds to cool and crisp.
4. Artfully arrange spinach leaves as a verdant base in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a vibrant foundation.
5. Gracefully layer sliced strawberries, cucumber, avocado, and green onions across the spinach landscape.
6. Sprinkle chia or poppy seeds strategically, followed by the cooled, golden-toasted almonds for textural contrast.
7. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette with a gentle hand, then tenderly toss ingredients to ensure harmonious flavor distribution.
8. Season with a delicate touch of salt and freshly cracked pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
9. Present immediately to preserve the salad’s crisp texture and vibrant character, ready to be savored.

Notes

• Wash produce carefully to remove any dirt or pesticides, ensuring a clean and safe salad base.
• Toast almonds slowly and attentively to prevent burning, watching for a golden color and nutty aroma.
• Slice strawberries and vegetables just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and crisp texture.
• For a protein boost, add grilled chicken or crumbled feta cheese to transform this light salad into a more substantial meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 5g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 0mg