30-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Simple and Fresh

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Are you looking for a fresh, tasty salad that comes together in just 30 minutes? This Strawberry Spinach Salad pairs sweet berries with crisp greens for a delightful dish. With simple ingredients like feta and walnuts, you can enjoy vibrant flavors without a lot of fuss. Follow along for easy steps, tips, and variations to make it your own. Let’s get started on this quick and delicious salad masterpiece!

Ingredients

Fresh Produce

– 4 cups fresh spinach leaves

– 1 cup strawberries

You need fresh spinach for great taste. Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals. I love using baby spinach, as it is tender and sweet. Strawberries add a bright color and sweetness. Always choose ripe strawberries. Their flavor makes the salad pop.

Cheese and Nuts

– 1/2 cup feta cheese

– 1/4 cup walnuts (or pecans)

Feta cheese gives a salty kick to the salad. It crumbles well and mixes nicely with the other ingredients. You can also use goat cheese for a creamy twist. Nuts add crunch and flavor. Walnuts have a rich taste, but pecans work too. They add a nice texture.

Dressing Components

– 2 tablespoons honey

– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

– 1 tablespoon olive oil

– Salt and pepper to taste

The dressing makes this salad shine. Honey adds natural sweetness. Balsamic vinegar brings a tangy flavor. Olive oil ties everything together. Always season with salt and pepper to enhance the taste. You can adjust the dressing to your liking. For the full recipe, check the details above.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation of Ingredients

First, you need to wash the spinach leaves. Rinse them under cold water. Make sure to remove any dirt. After that, tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces. This helps with eating and mixing.

Next, hull the strawberries. Use a sharp knife to remove the green tops. Then, slice the strawberries into thin pieces. This makes them easier to mix into the salad.

Making the Dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. This will create a nice, smooth dressing. Add a pinch of salt and some pepper to taste. Whisk until everything blends well. Set the dressing aside for later.

Assembling the Salad

Now, take a large salad bowl. Place the fresh spinach leaves in first. Then, add the sliced strawberries right on top. Next, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad. Finally, add the chopped walnuts or pecans.

Drizzle the dressing over your salad. Gently toss everything together until well mixed. Taste your salad and adjust the seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if you like. Enjoy your fresh creation from the Full Recipe!

Tips & Tricks

Enhancing Flavor

To bring out the best in your salad, consider adding fresh herbs. Mint or basil works well. A pinch of black pepper adds a nice kick. You can also try a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness. This balances the sweetness of the strawberries.

Presentation Ideas

Serve your salad in clear bowls. This lets the colors shine through. You can also layer the ingredients. Start with spinach, then add strawberries, cheese, and nuts. For garnish, place whole strawberries and walnut halves on top. This makes it look fancy and inviting.

Time-Saving Tips

To save time, wash and prep your ingredients in advance. You can chop nuts and slice strawberries ahead of time. Store them in the fridge to keep them fresh. When you’re ready, just toss everything together. This salad is quick and easy with these steps. For the full recipe, you can refer to the earlier section.

Variations

Ingredient Swaps

If you want to change things up, swap out the feta cheese. Try goat cheese for a tangy taste. You can also use vegan cheese if you prefer a dairy-free option. For nuts, walnuts are great, but pecans add a sweet crunch. If nuts aren’t your thing, try seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Seasonal fruits can elevate this salad, too. In summer, add peaches or blueberries. In fall, consider apples or pears for a cozy touch.

Dressing Alternatives

The dressing is simple, but you can mix it up. Instead of honey, use maple syrup for a vegan option. You can also try lemon juice for a zesty kick. If you want to boost flavor, add fresh herbs. Basil or mint can bring a fresh twist. You can even toss in a bit of Dijon mustard for extra depth. Each variation will change the salad’s flavor and can make it feel new.

Dietary Adaptations

This salad is easy to adapt for different diets. To make it gluten-free, just ensure all your dressing ingredients are gluten-free. This salad is already quite healthy, but you can make it vegan by removing the cheese. Replace it with avocado for creaminess. You can also add chickpeas or quinoa for protein. This makes the salad filling while keeping it fresh and light.

Storage Info

Keeping Ingredients Fresh

To keep your leafy greens and berries fresh, store them properly. First, wash and dry spinach leaves. Wrap them in a damp paper towel. Then, place them in a plastic bag but leave it slightly open for airflow. This method keeps them crisp. For strawberries, do not wash them until you are ready to eat. Store them in their original container in the fridge. If they feel soft, use them soon.

Storing Leftovers

After making the salad, you may have leftovers. To store them, place the salad in an airtight container. Keep the dressing separate to prevent sogginess. The salad will stay fresh for a day or two. If you add nuts or cheese, they may lose their crunch over time.

Shelf Life

The shelf life of your salad depends on the ingredients. Fresh spinach and strawberries last about 2 to 3 days in the fridge. Feta cheese can last up to a week. Walnuts and pecans can last longer if stored in a cool, dry place. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating.

FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. To keep it fresh, prep ingredients separately. Store spinach, strawberries, cheese, and nuts in airtight containers. Mix the dressing in another jar. This way, you can combine everything just before serving. This keeps your greens crisp and the berries fresh.

What can I pair with this salad?

This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or fish. You can also serve it with a light pasta or a quinoa dish. These options add heartiness without overpowering the salad’s fresh taste. A slice of crusty bread on the side works too.

How can I make this salad more filling?

To make this salad more filling, add protein. Grilled chicken or shrimp are great options. You can also mix in chickpeas or black beans for a plant-based choice. These additions not only boost protein but also add texture and flavor.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. Assemble the salad in a container with layers. Place spinach at the bottom, then strawberries, cheese, and nuts on top. This helps prevent sogginess. You can enjoy it throughout the week. Check out the Full Recipe for more details on preparation.

This blog post covered a fresh salad bursting with flavors from spinach, strawberries, feta, and walnuts. I shared easy steps for prepping ingredients, making dressing, and tossing it all together. I also offered tips for enhancing taste, creative presentation, and time-saving methods. You can customize this salad with different ingredients and dressings. Store it well to keep it fresh. Whether for a meal prep or a light side dish, this salad fits many needs. Enjoy making it your own and savoring each bite.

- 4 cups fresh spinach leaves - 1 cup strawberries You need fresh spinach for great taste. Spinach is packed with vitamins and minerals. I love using baby spinach, as it is tender and sweet. Strawberries add a bright color and sweetness. Always choose ripe strawberries. Their flavor makes the salad pop. - 1/2 cup feta cheese - 1/4 cup walnuts (or pecans) Feta cheese gives a salty kick to the salad. It crumbles well and mixes nicely with the other ingredients. You can also use goat cheese for a creamy twist. Nuts add crunch and flavor. Walnuts have a rich taste, but pecans work too. They add a nice texture. - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar - 1 tablespoon olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste The dressing makes this salad shine. Honey adds natural sweetness. Balsamic vinegar brings a tangy flavor. Olive oil ties everything together. Always season with salt and pepper to enhance the taste. You can adjust the dressing to your liking. For the full recipe, check the details above. First, you need to wash the spinach leaves. Rinse them under cold water. Make sure to remove any dirt. After that, tear the leaves into bite-sized pieces. This helps with eating and mixing. Next, hull the strawberries. Use a sharp knife to remove the green tops. Then, slice the strawberries into thin pieces. This makes them easier to mix into the salad. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. This will create a nice, smooth dressing. Add a pinch of salt and some pepper to taste. Whisk until everything blends well. Set the dressing aside for later. Now, take a large salad bowl. Place the fresh spinach leaves in first. Then, add the sliced strawberries right on top. Next, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad. Finally, add the chopped walnuts or pecans. Drizzle the dressing over your salad. Gently toss everything together until well mixed. Taste your salad and adjust the seasoning. Add more salt or pepper if you like. Enjoy your fresh creation from the Full Recipe! To bring out the best in your salad, consider adding fresh herbs. Mint or basil works well. A pinch of black pepper adds a nice kick. You can also try a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness. This balances the sweetness of the strawberries. Serve your salad in clear bowls. This lets the colors shine through. You can also layer the ingredients. Start with spinach, then add strawberries, cheese, and nuts. For garnish, place whole strawberries and walnut halves on top. This makes it look fancy and inviting. To save time, wash and prep your ingredients in advance. You can chop nuts and slice strawberries ahead of time. Store them in the fridge to keep them fresh. When you’re ready, just toss everything together. This salad is quick and easy with these steps. For the full recipe, you can refer to the earlier section. {{image_2}} If you want to change things up, swap out the feta cheese. Try goat cheese for a tangy taste. You can also use vegan cheese if you prefer a dairy-free option. For nuts, walnuts are great, but pecans add a sweet crunch. If nuts aren’t your thing, try seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds. Seasonal fruits can elevate this salad, too. In summer, add peaches or blueberries. In fall, consider apples or pears for a cozy touch. The dressing is simple, but you can mix it up. Instead of honey, use maple syrup for a vegan option. You can also try lemon juice for a zesty kick. If you want to boost flavor, add fresh herbs. Basil or mint can bring a fresh twist. You can even toss in a bit of Dijon mustard for extra depth. Each variation will change the salad’s flavor and can make it feel new. This salad is easy to adapt for different diets. To make it gluten-free, just ensure all your dressing ingredients are gluten-free. This salad is already quite healthy, but you can make it vegan by removing the cheese. Replace it with avocado for creaminess. You can also add chickpeas or quinoa for protein. This makes the salad filling while keeping it fresh and light. To keep your leafy greens and berries fresh, store them properly. First, wash and dry spinach leaves. Wrap them in a damp paper towel. Then, place them in a plastic bag but leave it slightly open for airflow. This method keeps them crisp. For strawberries, do not wash them until you are ready to eat. Store them in their original container in the fridge. If they feel soft, use them soon. After making the salad, you may have leftovers. To store them, place the salad in an airtight container. Keep the dressing separate to prevent sogginess. The salad will stay fresh for a day or two. If you add nuts or cheese, they may lose their crunch over time. The shelf life of your salad depends on the ingredients. Fresh spinach and strawberries last about 2 to 3 days in the fridge. Feta cheese can last up to a week. Walnuts and pecans can last longer if stored in a cool, dry place. Always check for any signs of spoilage before eating. Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. To keep it fresh, prep ingredients separately. Store spinach, strawberries, cheese, and nuts in airtight containers. Mix the dressing in another jar. This way, you can combine everything just before serving. This keeps your greens crisp and the berries fresh. This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or fish. You can also serve it with a light pasta or a quinoa dish. These options add heartiness without overpowering the salad's fresh taste. A slice of crusty bread on the side works too. To make this salad more filling, add protein. Grilled chicken or shrimp are great options. You can also mix in chickpeas or black beans for a plant-based choice. These additions not only boost protein but also add texture and flavor. Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to eat. Assemble the salad in a container with layers. Place spinach at the bottom, then strawberries, cheese, and nuts on top. This helps prevent sogginess. You can enjoy it throughout the week. Check out the Full Recipe for more details on preparation. This blog post covered a fresh salad bursting with flavors from spinach, strawberries, feta, and walnuts. I shared easy steps for prepping ingredients, making dressing, and tossing it all together. I also offered tips for enhancing taste, creative presentation, and time-saving methods. You can customize this salad with different ingredients and dressings. Store it well to keep it fresh. Whether for a meal prep or a light side dish, this salad fits many needs. Enjoy making it your own and savoring each bite.

30-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad

Enjoy a light and delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad that’s perfect for any occasion! With fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, tangy feta cheese, and crunchy walnuts, this refreshing recipe is a summer must-try. Whip it up in just 30 minutes and impress your family and friends. Ready to elevate your salad game? Click through to discover the full recipe and tips for a beautifully presented dish!

Ingredients
  

4 cups fresh spinach leaves, washed and torn

1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped (or pecans)

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

In a small bowl, whisk together honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create the dressing. Set aside.

    In a large salad bowl, place the fresh spinach leaves.

      Add the sliced strawberries to the spinach.

        Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and chopped walnuts (or pecans) over the top.

          Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until well combined.

            Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or pepper as desired.

              Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 4

                - Presentation Tips: Serve in individual bowls and garnish with a few whole strawberries and walnut halves on top to enhance the visual appeal.

                  WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?