Strawberry Spinach Spring Salad (Printable)

Bright salad of strawberries, baby spinach, goat cheese and toasted nuts with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta), room temperature
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1/3 cup toasted pecans or sliced almonds

→ Balsamic dressing

06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
07 - 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl or jar. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified and set aside.
02 - Place the baby spinach in a large bowl. Add the sliced strawberries, thinly sliced red onion, and toasted pecans or almonds, distributing evenly.
03 - Drizzle the prepared balsamic dressing over the salad in a thin stream, then use salad tongs to toss gently until leaves and fruit are lightly coated.
04 - Scatter the crumbled goat cheese over the tossed salad immediately before serving to preserve texture and contrast.
05 - Transfer to individual plates or serve family-style and enjoy right away for best freshness and texture.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You get a little bit of everything: sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy in every forkful.
  • This salad has rescued many last-minute lunches and wowed more than a few picnic guests.
02 -
  • If you add the dressing too early, the spinach will wilt and lose that perky crunch—I learned this after a particularly soggy attempt.
  • Toasting the nuts right before tossing them in makes all the difference in both aroma and taste.
03 -
  • Chill your salad plates for an extra-refreshing crunch on hot days.
  • A little extra Dijon in the vinaigrette adds true restaurant flavor—you might never skip it again.
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