Bright, fresh, and ready in under an hour, this 30-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad is a sweet-and-savory winner for busy weeknights or easy entertaining. Crunchy pecans and tangy feta balance juicy berries, while a simple balsamic drizzle ties it all together. For a crunchy variation, try the cucumber strawberry salad for a cool side.
Why You’ll Love This 30-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Bursting with bright, seasonal flavor from strawberries and blueberries.
- Ready in minutes, perfect for quick lunches or last-minute guests.
- Great for meal prep and holds up well when dressed just before serving.
- Family-friendly flavors that pair with grilled proteins or sandwiches.
- Easy to customize for dietary needs or to use up pantry staples.
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Ingredients Needed
- Greens
- Fresh spinach (about 6 cups, loosely packed)
- Fruit
- Strawberries, sliced (1 1/2 cups)
- Blueberries (3/4 cup)
- Nuts & Cheese
- Pecans, chopped (1/2 cup)
- Feta cheese, crumbled (1/2 cup)
- Dressing
- Balsamic glaze (2–3 tbsp)
- Olive oil (2 tbsp)
- Seasoning
- Salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
If you want another berry-forward take, check the spinach strawberry salad for a slightly different mix of ingredients.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, and blueberries.
- Add chopped pecans and crumbled feta cheese to the bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil and then balsamic glaze evenly over the salad.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkling a light pinch at first.
- Toss gently to combine all ingredients without bruising the berries.
- Serve immediately and enjoy for the best texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions 30-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Serve alongside grilled chicken or salmon for a complete meal.
- Add sliced avocado or a hard-boiled egg for extra richness.
- Top with crunchy pita chips or toasted baguette slices for texture.
- Pair it with a blueberry broccoli spinach salad for a colorful brunch spread.
- Garnish with a few extra whole berries and a light drizzle of balsamic glaze for presentation.
Tips for Success 30-Minute Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Use ripe, firm strawberries so they hold their shape during tossing.
- Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes to boost their flavor.
- Dress just before serving to keep spinach crisp and avoid sogginess.
- Taste and adjust seasoning after tossing to balance acidity and salt.
- Store components separately if prepping ahead; combine at serving time.
Variations
Here are a few easy ways to change it up:
- Add protein: sliced grilled chicken or cooked shrimp for a heartier salad.
- Dairy-free: swap feta for toasted sunflower seeds or dairy-free feta.
- Make it spicy: add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeno for heat.
- Extra veggies: toss in thinly sliced cucumber or shaved carrots for crunch.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Bright, fresh, and ready in under an hour, this salad combines strawberries, blueberries, pecans, and feta with a balsamic drizzle for a perfect summer dish.
Ingredients
Greens
- 6 cups Fresh spinach, loosely packed About 6 cups, loosely packed.
Fruit
- 1.5 cups Strawberries, sliced Approximately 1 and 1/2 cups.
- 0.75 cups Blueberries Approximately 3/4 cup.
Nuts & Cheese
- 0.5 cups Pecans, chopped Approximately 1/2 cup.
- 0.5 cups Feta cheese, crumbled Approximately 1/2 cup.
Dressing
- 2-3 tbsp Balsamic glaze Adjust to taste.
- 2 tbsp Olive oil Extra for drizzling.
Seasoning
- Salt To taste.
- Pepper To taste.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large bowl, combine fresh spinach, sliced strawberries, and blueberries.
- Add chopped pecans and crumbled feta cheese to the bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil and then balsamic glaze evenly over the salad.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkling a light pinch at first.
- Toss gently to combine all ingredients without bruising the berries.
- Serve immediately and enjoy for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
Use ripe strawberries for best results. Toasting the pecans boosts flavor. Dress the salad just before serving to keep the spinach crisp.