This fresh strawberry spinach salad is colorful, refreshing, and packed with delicious summer flavors. Tender baby spinach is combined with juicy fresh strawberries, creamy feta cheese, crunchy nuts, and a simple homemade balsamic dressing.
It’s an easy salad that works beautifully as a light lunch, side dish, or starter. The sweet strawberries balance the savory feta and earthy spinach, while the balsamic dressing brings everything together.
Serve it on a warm spring or summer day, or add grilled chicken for a more filling meal.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Fresh and refreshing
- Ready in about 10 minutes
- No cooking required
- Sweet and savory flavor combination
- Colorful and beautiful
- Great for lunch
- Perfect spring and summer salad
- Easy to customize
- Great with grilled chicken
- Perfect for gatherings and brunch
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup blueberries, optional
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, optional
For the Balsamic Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How to Make Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad
1. Wash the Spinach
Place the baby spinach in a colander and rinse gently under cool water.
Drain thoroughly and pat dry.
Excess water can dilute the dressing.
2. Prepare the Strawberries
Remove the green tops from the strawberries.
Slice larger berries into thin slices or halves.
3. Prepare the Onion
Thinly slice the red onion.
If you prefer a milder onion flavor, soak the slices in cold water for about 5 minutes and drain well.
4. Toast the Almonds
Add the sliced almonds to a dry skillet over medium-low heat.
Toast for a few minutes until lightly golden and fragrant.
Watch them carefully because nuts can burn quickly.
Allow them to cool.
5. Make the Dressing
Add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to a small jar or bowl.
Whisk or shake until emulsified.
6. Assemble the Salad
Add baby spinach to a large serving bowl.
Top with sliced strawberries, feta cheese, red onion, and toasted almonds.
Add blueberries and dried cranberries if using.
7. Add the Dressing
Drizzle the balsamic dressing over the salad just before serving.
Start with a small amount and add more as desired.
8. Toss Gently
Use salad tongs to gently toss everything together.
Avoid overmixing because strawberries and spinach can become bruised.
9. Serve
Serve immediately while the spinach is crisp and the strawberries are fresh.
What Kind of Spinach Is Best?
Baby spinach is ideal because it has tender leaves and a mild flavor.
Regular mature spinach can also be used, but larger leaves may need to be torn into smaller pieces.
What Strawberries Are Best?
Choose ripe, firm strawberries with bright red color.
Avoid berries that are overly soft or bruised because they can release too much juice into the salad.
Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?
Fresh strawberries are strongly recommended.
Frozen strawberries become soft when thawed and can make the salad watery.
Can I Use a Different Cheese?
Absolutely.
Good alternatives include:
- Goat cheese
- Blue cheese
- Fresh mozzarella
- Parmesan
- Cotija
Feta provides a salty contrast to the sweet strawberries.
Can I Use Pecans Instead of Almonds?
Yes.
Pecans, walnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds all work well.
Can I Add Chicken?
Absolutely.
Grilled or roasted chicken turns this into a more substantial high-protein lunch.
Simply slice cooked chicken and arrange it over the salad.
Can I Add Avocado?
Yes.
Diced avocado adds creaminess and healthy fats.
Add it immediately before serving to reduce browning.
How Do I Keep Spinach Salad From Getting Soggy?
Keep the spinach and strawberries dry before assembling.
Don’t add the dressing until you’re ready to serve.
If preparing ahead, store the dressing separately.
Can I Make This Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes.
Prepare the spinach, strawberries, onion, cheese, and nuts ahead of time.
Store them separately or in an airtight container.
Add the dressing just before serving.
How Long Does Strawberry Spinach Salad Last?
Once dressed, the salad is best eaten immediately.
Undressed salad ingredients can generally be refrigerated for about 1–2 days, although the strawberries may soften over time.
Can I Use Another Dressing?
Yes.
Try:
- Poppy seed dressing
- Honey mustard dressing
- Raspberry vinaigrette
- Lemon vinaigrette
- Strawberry vinaigrette
- Greek yogurt dressing
Easy Strawberry Spinach Salad Variations
Strawberry Chicken Spinach Salad
Add sliced grilled chicken for a protein-rich lunch.
Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad
Add creamy avocado and toasted pumpkin seeds.
Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad
Replace feta with soft goat cheese.
Strawberry Walnut Salad
Use toasted walnuts instead of almonds.
Strawberry Pecan Salad
Add toasted pecans for a richer nutty flavor.
Strawberry Blueberry Spinach Salad
Add extra blueberries for a colorful berry combination.
Strawberry Quinoa Salad
Add cooked quinoa for additional texture and a more filling meal.
Strawberry Bacon Spinach Salad
Add crispy cooked bacon for a sweet and savory combination.
Strawberry Mandarin Spinach Salad
Add mandarin orange segments for extra citrus flavor.
Is Strawberry Spinach Salad Healthy?
This salad combines leafy greens, fresh fruit, nuts, and cheese.
Its nutritional profile depends on the dressing, cheese, nuts, and additional ingredients you use.
For a lighter version, use less dressing and cheese.
Can I Make This Vegan?
Yes.
Replace honey with maple syrup or agave and use a plant-based feta alternative or omit the cheese.
Can I Make This Gluten-Free?
Yes.
The basic salad is naturally gluten-free.
Check packaged dressings, cheese, and toppings if necessary.
Can I Make It Low Carb?
Yes.
Use fewer strawberries and omit dried cranberries.
Add grilled chicken, avocado, and nuts for a more filling low-carb version.
What Can I Serve With Strawberry Spinach Salad?
This salad pairs well with:
- Grilled chicken
- Grilled salmon
- Turkey sandwiches
- Chicken wraps
- Baked chicken
- Grilled steak
- Pasta dishes
- Soup
- Sandwiches
When Should I Serve Strawberry Spinach Salad?
It’s perfect for:
- Spring lunches
- Summer dinners
- Mother’s Day brunch
- Easter brunch
- Baby showers
- Bridal showers
- Backyard gatherings
- Picnics
- Family dinners
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular spinach?
Yes. Baby spinach is simply more tender.
Can I use raspberries?
Yes. Raspberries are a delicious substitute or addition.
Can I use blueberries?
Absolutely. Blueberries add another layer of sweetness and color.
Can I use dried cranberries?
Yes. They provide a chewy texture and extra sweetness.
Can I add chicken?
Yes. Grilled chicken makes it a complete lunch.
Can I make the dressing ahead?
Yes. Store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and shake well before using.
Why is my spinach soggy?
The spinach may not have been dried thoroughly or the dressing may have been added too early.
Can I use store-bought dressing?
Yes. Balsamic vinaigrette or poppy seed dressing are both convenient options.
Can I make this salad for a crowd?
Absolutely. Multiply the ingredients and keep the dressing separate until serving.
Can children eat this salad?
Yes. For younger children, cut strawberries and other ingredients into appropriately small pieces.
Recipe Card
Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3–5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad / Lunch
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Salad
- 6 cups baby spinach
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 red onion
- 1/3 cup blueberries, optional
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries, optional
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and thoroughly dry the spinach.
- Slice the strawberries.
- Thinly slice red onion.
- Toast almonds in a dry skillet until lightly golden.
- Whisk together all dressing ingredients.
- Add spinach to a large serving bowl.
- Add strawberries, feta, onion, and toasted almonds.
- Add optional blueberries and dried cranberries.
- Drizzle with dressing.
- Toss gently.
- Serve immediately.