This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a refreshing and nutritious choice that combines sweet strawberries, crisp spinach, creamy feta cheese, and crunchy pecans, all topped with a homemade balsamic glaze. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner side, a holiday gathering, or a summer picnic.
Ingredients
Balsamic Dressing
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup honey or brown sugar
Spinach Strawberry Salad
- 10 oz baby spinach, fresh
- 3 cups strawberries, cleaned, hulled, and sliced
- 1 cup blueberries
- ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 cup pecans, toasted (some chopped)
Instructions
Salad Dressing - Balsamic Glaze
- Cook the Glaze:
- In a small saucepan, combine the balsamic vinegar and honey or brown sugar.
- Heat over medium heat until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
- Reduce the heat to simmer and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and reduces by about half, approximately 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and transfer to a heat-proof bowl to cool. The glaze will thicken further as it cools.
Salad
- Prepare the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and blueberries.
- Toss the ingredients together gently.
- Serve:
- Divide the salad among individual serving bowls.
- Top each bowl with crumbled feta cheese and both whole and chopped toasted pecans.
- Drizzle each serving with the cooled balsamic glaze just before serving.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 264 kcal
- Fat: 14g (22% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 2g (13% DV)
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 7mg (2% DV)
- Sodium: 144mg (6% DV)
- Potassium: 521mg (15% DV)
- Carbohydrates: 32g (11% DV)
- Fiber: 5g (21% DV)
- Sugar: 25g (28% DV)
- Protein: 5g (10% DV)
- Vitamin A: 4497 IU (90% DV)
- Vitamin C: 58mg (70% DV)
- Calcium: 125mg (13% DV)
- Iron: 2mg (11% DV)
Conclusion
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a visually appealing and deliciously satisfying dish that's as nutritious as it is easy to prepare. It's a versatile recipe that fits perfectly into any meal plan, whether you're looking for a light lunch, a side dish for dinner, or a festive contribution to a potluck. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a delightful choice for any occasion.
15-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Strawberry Spinach Salad is a fresh, nutritious, and quick dish, ideal for a healthy lunch or a light dinner. Packed with vibrant strawberries, crunchy nuts, and a tangy vinaigrette, it's both delicious and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh spinach leaves, washed and dried
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup balsamic vinaigrette
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
-
Prepare the Ingredients:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted nuts, crumbled cheese, and red onion.
-
Dress the Salad:
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad. Gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
-
Serve:
- Serve immediately, ensuring that the salad is fresh and the spinach remains crisp.
Notes
- For added protein, consider adding grilled chicken or salmon.
- You can make your own balsamic vinaigrette by whisking together 3 parts olive oil, 1 part balsamic vinegar, a teaspoon of mustard, and a little honey for sweetness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
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