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Strawberry Spinach Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad
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Strawberry Spinach Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and simple-to-make dish that combines sweet ripe strawberries, tender baby spinach, crunchy toasted nuts, tangy feta or goat cheese, and thinly sliced red onion, all tied together with a balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch, colorful side dish, or a standout salad for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach, rinsed and dried
  • 1 pint ripe strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Add-ins

  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the spinach: Rinse the baby spinach thoroughly and spin or pat dry until completely free of moisture to prevent a soggy salad.
  2. Slice the strawberries: Hull and thinly slice the strawberries to ensure they mix evenly throughout the salad and don’t overpower every bite.
  3. Toast the nuts: Toast your chosen nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, gently combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted nuts, and thinly sliced red onion.
  5. Add cheese and dressing: Crumble the feta or goat cheese over the top and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Notes

  • Use fresh ingredients: The flavor hinges on ripe strawberries and fresh spinach, so avoid pre-washed bags that may be wilted.
  • Toast nuts carefully: Keep an eye on nuts while toasting to prevent a bitter burnt taste.
  • Dress just before serving: Adding dressing too early can wilt the spinach, so dress it last minute.
  • Balance flavors: Taste as you go to find the right combo of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
  • Slice strawberries uniformly: Thin, even slices ensure every bite gets some sweetness without overwhelming the greens.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, fresh salad, summer salad, healthy salad, easy salad

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/strawberry-spinach-salad/