Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta and Berries

This vibrant strawberry spinach salad is a fantastic way to bring fresh flavors to your table.

Combining sweet berries, tangy feta, and a satisfying crunch from nuts, it’s a healthy and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s light yet filling, making it an ideal choice for lunch or a refreshing side dish.

You’ll love how quickly this salad comes together, proving that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. It’s a crowd-pleaser that appeals to a wide range of tastes, even those who might be hesitant about salads.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta and Berries

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

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Description

This vibrant strawberry spinach salad is a fantastic way to bring fresh flavors to your table. Combining sweet berries, tangy feta, and a satisfying crunch from nuts, it’s a healthy and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s light yet filling, making it an ideal choice for lunch or a refreshing side dish.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

5 ounces fresh baby spinach

1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

2 tablespoons balsamic glaze or dressing of choice

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Spinach Base: Gently wash and thoroughly dry the baby spinach. Place the clean spinach leaves into a large salad bowl, ensuring they are evenly distributed to form the base of your salad.

2. Slice the Strawberries: Hull the fresh strawberries by removing the green tops. Slice them into bite-sized pieces, typically quarters or halves depending on their size. Add the sliced strawberries directly over the spinach in the bowl.

3. Add the Blueberries: Carefully rinse the fresh blueberries and pat them dry. Scatter the blueberries over the spinach and strawberries, distributing them evenly for a burst of color and sweetness in every bite.

4. Crumble in the Feta: Take your crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle it generously over the berries and spinach. The white feta will stand out beautifully against the vibrant red and blue.

5. Add the Crunchy Nuts: Sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts over the salad. This adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the berries and the tang of the feta.

6. Drizzle with Dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic glaze or your chosen dressing evenly over the entire salad. Use just enough to lightly coat the ingredients without making the salad soggy.

7. Toss and Serve: Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and coated with the dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and textures.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: salad
• Method: no cook
• Cuisine: american

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe

Keywords: strawberry, spinach, salad, feta, berries, healthy, quick, easy, vegetarian, summer

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This strawberry spinach salad is a true winner for its simplicity, vibrant flavors, and nutritional benefits. It’s designed for busy home cooks who want to put a wholesome meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of fresh strawberries, blueberries, and spinach provides a powerful punch of vitamins and antioxidants, while the feta adds a delightful salty tang and the nuts offer healthy fats and a satisfying texture. This salad is perfect for a light lunch, a refreshing side dish for a weeknight dinner, or even as a beautiful addition to a brunch spread or potluck. It’s particularly wonderful during spring and summer when berries are at their peak, but you can certainly enjoy it year-round thanks to readily available ingredients. It’s also incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to different dietary preferences or what you have on hand.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this salad is straightforward, focusing on fresh produce and pantry staples. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, requiring minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 ounces fresh baby spinach
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze or dressing of choice

For the spinach, always opt for baby spinach as it’s more tender and has a milder flavor than mature spinach leaves. When choosing berries, look for plump, firm strawberries and blueberries that are free from mold or bruising. For the nuts, pecans or walnuts work wonderfully, but you can also use slivered almonds or even candied pecans for an extra touch of sweetness. If you don’t have balsamic glaze, a simple vinaigrette made with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a touch of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper will work just as well.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This salad is truly a quick assembly job, perfect for those days when you need something delicious on the table in a flash.

Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 0 minutes Total time: 10 minutes

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this beautiful and delicious salad is incredibly simple. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.

1. Prepare the Spinach Base: Gently wash and thoroughly dry the baby spinach. Place the clean spinach leaves into a large salad bowl, ensuring they are evenly distributed to form the base of your salad.
2. Slice the Strawberries: Hull the fresh strawberries by removing the green tops. Slice them into bite-sized pieces, typically quarters or halves depending on their size. Add the sliced strawberries directly over the spinach in the bowl.
3. Add the Blueberries: Carefully rinse the fresh blueberries and pat them dry. Scatter the blueberries over the spinach and strawberries, distributing them evenly for a burst of color and sweetness in every bite.
4. Crumble in the Feta: Take your crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle it generously over the berries and spinach. The white feta will stand out beautifully against the vibrant red and blue.
5. Add the Crunchy Nuts: Sprinkle the chopped pecans or walnuts over the salad. This adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the sweetness of the berries and the tang of the feta.
6. Drizzle with Dressing: Just before serving, drizzle the balsamic glaze or your chosen dressing evenly over the entire salad. Use just enough to lightly coat the ingredients without making the salad soggy.
7. Toss and Serve: Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and coated with the dressing. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and textures.

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This strawberry spinach salad is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to customize for different tastes or occasions. For a heartier meal, consider adding grilled chicken breast, shrimp, or even some cooked quinoa to boost the protein content. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, a handful of chickpeas or black beans can also be a great addition. To make it more kid-friendly, you might offer the dressing on the side and let them pick their favorite berries and nuts to add.

Beyond the suggested pecans or walnuts, slivered almonds, sunflower seeds, or even pepitas (pumpkin seeds) make excellent crunchy additions. For a touch of extra sweetness, a sprinkle of candied pecans or a few dried cranberries can be lovely. If you’re not a fan of feta, goat cheese or a mild mozzarella can be good alternatives. This salad is fantastic served as a light lunch on its own, paired with a simple soup, or as a vibrant side dish to grilled fish or chicken for dinner. It also makes a stunning presentation for potlucks and summer gatherings.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even with a simple salad, a few common mistakes can impact the final result. One frequent issue is wet spinach. If your spinach isn’t thoroughly dried after washing, the dressing will become watery and won’t cling properly to the leaves, diluting the flavor. Always use a salad spinner or pat the spinach dry with paper towels. Another common slip-up is dressing the salad too early. If you add the dressing more than 15-20 minutes before serving, the spinach will wilt and become soggy, losing its fresh crispness. Always dress the salad just before it’s about to be eaten.

Over-dressing is another pitfall. Too much dressing can overpower the delicate flavors of the berries and spinach, turning the salad into a soupy mess. Start with a smaller amount of dressing and add more if needed, tossing gently to ensure even coating. Finally, using bruised or overripe berries can detract from the salad’s appeal. While soft berries are fine for smoothies, for a salad, you want firm, fresh berries that hold their shape and offer a pleasant texture. Inspect your berries carefully before adding them.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This strawberry spinach salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the delicate spinach and berries can lose their texture once dressed. However, you can certainly prepare components of the salad ahead of time for quick assembly.

To make ahead, wash and dry the spinach thoroughly and store it in an airtight container lined with a paper towel in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Wash and slice the strawberries and wash the blueberries, storing them separately in airtight containers in the fridge for 1-2 days. Chop the nuts and store them at room temperature. Crumble the feta and keep it in its original packaging or an airtight container in the fridge.

When you’re ready to serve, simply combine all the prepped ingredients in a large bowl and drizzle with the dressing. Avoid storing the fully assembled and dressed salad, as the spinach will wilt and the berries will soften significantly. If you have any dressed leftovers, they are best consumed within a few hours, though the texture will be compromised.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Can I use frozen berries in this salad? While fresh berries are highly recommended for their texture and vibrant appearance, you could use frozen berries if absolutely necessary. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid to prevent the salad from becoming watery. However, the texture will be softer.

What kind of dressing works best for this salad? A balsamic glaze or a simple balsamic vinaigrette is a classic choice that complements the flavors beautifully. A lemon-poppy seed dressing or a light raspberry vinaigrette would also be delicious options.

Can I add other fruits to this salad? Absolutely! Sliced mandarin oranges, segments of grapefruit, or even thinly sliced apples or pears would be wonderful additions, especially if you’re looking for seasonal variations.

Is this salad gluten-free? Yes, as long as your dressing is gluten-free, this salad is naturally gluten-free. Always check the label on store-bought dressings.

How can I make this salad more substantial for a main meal? To make it a heartier main course, add grilled chicken, salmon, shrimp, or a scoop of cooked quinoa or farro. Roasted chickpeas are another excellent plant-based protein option.

Can I prepare the dressing in advance? Yes, if you’re using a homemade vinaigrette, you can prepare it several days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Shake well before drizzling over the salad.

A Friendly Wrap-Up And The Best Way To Serve It

This strawberry spinach salad with feta and berries is more than just a side dish; it’s a celebration of fresh, vibrant flavors that come together in minutes. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly special and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for a quick, healthy lunch, a colorful addition

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.