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Quick Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with Easy Balsamic Dressing

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A vibrant and quick salad combining fresh strawberries, tender spinach, crunchy pecans, and tangy homemade balsamic dressing. Perfect for a healthy, satisfying meal in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups fresh baby spinach (about 150g), washed and dried
  • 2 cups strawberries (about 300g), hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts (50g), toasted lightly
  • 1/3 cup feta cheese (50g), crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for vegan option)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and dry the baby spinach thoroughly to avoid a watery salad.
  2. Hull and slice the strawberries into thin pieces (about 1/4 inch thick).
  3. Thinly slice the red onion for a subtle bite.
  4. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans or walnuts and toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until fragrant and slightly browned. Remove from heat and let cool.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified. Taste and adjust sweetness or seasoning as desired.
  6. In a large salad bowl, add the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted nuts, crumbled feta, and red onion slices.
  7. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients without bruising the spinach or strawberries.
  8. Serve immediately for best freshness. If needed, keep dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Toast nuts carefully over medium heat to avoid burning. Use fresh, firm spinach and slice strawberries uniformly for best texture. Add dressing just before serving to keep salad crisp. For vegan option, replace honey with maple syrup and omit feta or use dairy-free cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, balsamic dressing, quick salad, healthy salad, fresh salad, easy salad recipe, summer salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/quick-fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-balsamic-dressing/