Quick & Tangy Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe for Summer Joy

Fresh summer memories bloom in this vibrant strawberry spinach salad that combines sweet and tangy flavors into one delightful dish.

Crisp spinach leaves create a verdant backdrop for juicy berries bursting with natural sweetness.

Unexpected ingredients dance together, creating a harmony of textures and tastes that surprise your palate.

Lightweight yet satisfying, this salad brings a burst of color to any meal or gathering.

Tangy vinaigrette adds a zesty kick that complements the delicate spinach and ripe strawberries perfectly.

Simple ingredients come together in minutes, making this recipe ideal for quick lunches or elegant side dishes.

Each forkful promises a refreshing blend of nutrients and flavors you’ll want to savor slowly.

Dive into this culinary adventure and let your taste buds celebrate the season’s bounty.

What Makes Strawberry Spinach Salad So Fresh

• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with vibrant spinach and sweet strawberries, this salad delivers a powerful punch of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for a super-healthy meal.
• Quick Kitchen Magic: Prepare this delicious salad in minutes with simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous gatherings with friends and family.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Suitable for various occasions like potlucks, picnics, or as a refreshing side dish that appeals to both health-conscious guests and picky eaters.
• Sensory Delight: Combines crunchy almonds, crisp spinach, juicy strawberries, and tangy dressing for a symphony of textures and flavors that dance on your taste buds.

Ingredients for Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Spinach: A nutrient-rich leafy green that provides a tender base for the salad.
• Strawberries: Sweet and juicy berries that add a vibrant flavor and bright color to the dish.
• Red Onion: A sharp and crisp vegetable that introduces a mild bite to the salad.

• Slivered Almonds: Nutty and crisp ingredient that adds texture and a subtle richness to the salad.

• Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar, Honey, Salt, Pepper: A balanced blend of ingredients that creates a smooth, tangy, and slightly sweet dressing to enhance the salad's overall flavor profile.

How to Prepare Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: Prepare Fresh Spinach Leaves

Thoroughly wash the spinach under cool running water, gently removing any dirt or debris. Carefully pat the leaves dry using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.

Transfer the crisp spinach leaves to a spacious serving bowl.

Step 2: Slice Succulent Strawberries

Remove the green tops from the strawberries using a small paring knife.

Slice the bright red berries into thin, elegant pieces. Scatter the strawberry slices generously over the spinach base.

Step 3: Add Crunchy Flavor Boosters

Peel and slice the red onion into delicate, translucent rings. Sprinkle the onion slices and slivered almonds across the salad, creating a beautiful textural contrast.

Step 4: Craft Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Honey
• Salt
• Black pepper

Whisk the ingredients together until they form a smooth, well-integrated dressing.

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Gently pour the prepared dressing over the salad.

Use two large spoons or salad tongs to carefully toss the ingredients, ensuring every leaf and slice gets beautifully coated. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy maximum freshness and crunch.

Tips for Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Use a salad spinner or paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring crisp and fresh leaves that won't become soggy.
• Cut strawberries right before serving to prevent them from releasing too much juice and making the salad watery.
• Lightly toast slivered almonds in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty taste and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Modify honey quantity based on strawberry sweetness; start with less and taste, adding more if needed for balanced flavor.
• Prepare ingredients separately and combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and prevent wilting.

Variations for Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Berry Bliss Swap: Replace strawberries with raspberries or blackberries for a tangy flavor profile.
• Nutty Nutrition Boost: Substitute almonds with toasted pecans or walnuts for added crunch and omega-3 benefits.
• Greens Galore Alternative: Swap spinach with mixed baby greens or kale for a different nutritional punch.
• Vegan Victory Version: Use maple syrup instead of honey and add hemp seeds for protein to make the recipe completely plant-based.

Best Pairings for Strawberry Spinach Salad

Select a crisp, light-bodied rosé or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the sweet strawberries and tangy balsamic dressing.

Add grilled chicken breast or seared salmon to transform this salad into a complete, satisfying meal that balances the fresh ingredients.

Serve alongside crusty sourdough bread or garlic crostini to provide a crunchy texture that contrasts with the salad’s softness.

Follow the salad with a light lemon sorbet or strawberry shortcake to continue the fruity flavor profile and provide a sweet conclusion to the meal.

Proper Storage for Strawberry Spinach Salad

• Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep dressing separate to prevent soggy spinach.
• Store spinach, strawberries, almonds, and dressing in individual sealed containers to maintain freshness and crispness.
• Before serving chilled leftovers, gently toss salad and add fresh almonds for extra crunch. Drizzle remaining dressing just before eating.
• Do not freeze this salad, as spinach and strawberries will lose texture and become mushy when thawed.

FAQs

• What are the health benefits of this salad?

Spinach provides iron and vitamins, strawberries offer antioxidants, and almonds contribute healthy fats and protein, making this salad a nutritious meal packed with essential nutrients.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have some on hand?

You can replace slivered almonds with other nuts like walnuts or pecans, use red wine vinegar instead of balsamic, or swap honey with maple syrup for similar sweetness.

• Is this salad suitable for different dietary needs?

This salad is naturally gluten-free and can be easily made vegan by using agave instead of honey. It’s also low-carb and perfect for vegetarian diets.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sweet summer vibes dance through this Strawberry Spinach Salad, blending fresh greens with juicy berries and a tangy poppy seed dressing. Crisp spinach leaves and succulent strawberries promise a delightful palette of flavors you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups fresh baby spinach
• 2 cups ripe strawberries
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional)

Dressing Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey

Seasoning:

• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly cleanse fresh spinach leaves, ensuring they are completely dry, and transfer to a spacious mixing vessel.
2. Carefully remove strawberry stems and slice the fruits into delicate, uniform pieces, then gently scatter them across the spinach bed.
3. Using a sharp knife, create paper-thin rings of crimson onion and disperse them evenly throughout the salad.
4. Sprinkle crunchy, slivered almonds across the leafy surface to introduce a nutty dimension and textural contrast.
5. Craft the vibrant dressing by combining extra virgin olive oil, rich balsamic vinegar, golden honey, and a precise blend of salt and freshly cracked black pepper in a compact mixing container.
6. Whisk the dressing ingredients until they harmonize into a smooth, glossy emulsion.
7. Delicately pour the dressing over the salad, using a light tossing motion to ensure every ingredient is kissed with flavor without bruising the tender spinach leaves.
8. Serve the salad immediately to preserve the crisp textures and bright, fresh essence of the ingredients.

Notes

• For the freshest flavor, choose ripe, deep red strawberries that are firm but not hard, ensuring maximum sweetness and vibrant color.
• Toast the almonds lightly in a dry skillet before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Slice red onions paper-thin to prevent overpowering the delicate spinach and strawberry flavors, creating a balanced taste profile.
• Prepare the salad just before serving to maintain the crisp texture of spinach and prevent wilting, keeping the dish looking fresh and appetizing.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg