The only Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe with a homemade balsamic dressing that you will ever need! Healthy, super tasty and a crowd favorite this simple spinach salad takes only 20 minutes to make.

Our other favourite vibrant salad recipes are this spinach salad recipe, avocado spinach salad and spring mix salad.

Strawberry and spinach salad with pecans in a serving bowl.

Making a fresh, beautiful, and colourful salad, like this strawberry spinach salad recipe, has never been so easy! It really is the salad recipe to make for any sort of gathering as it has something for everyone.

Leafy greens, fresh sweet strawberries, tangy feta, crunchy pecans, and a homemade balsamic dressing without refined sugar are so good! It’s a wonderful balance of taste.

Fresh quality ingredients provide vitamins and minerals and it’s entirely flexible, too! Use berry salad dressing, swap pecans for walnuts, or use a different cheese.

And while this spinach strawberry salad recipe is perfect for spring celebrations and summer BBQs, swap apples for strawberries in the fall or add roasted butternut squash during winter!

Even salad skeptics will happily dig in and enjoy this strawberry spinach salad no matter the season.

Close up pecans, strawberries, red onion and feta for strawberry spinach salad.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe Ingredients

  • Spinach: I like to buy pre-washed baby spinach because it is so affordable and convenient. Garden spinach that is coarsely chopped works as well. An 11 oz box of baby spinach that goes into this salad contains 69 grams of fiber, 89 grams of protein, and some crazy amount of vitamins A and K!
  • Strawberries: Fresh, plump, sweet, and loaded with vitamin C. Hull and chop in halves or even quarters. I do not recommend using frozen berries as strawberry spinach salad will become extremely soggy.
  • Red onion: This is nature’s antibiotic. It adds zest and keeps the recipe from being too sweet. No need to pre-soak it.
  • Pecans: Quickly toasted on a skillet- pecan halves add an extra dimension with crispy roasted crunch and deeper nutty flavour.
  • Cheese: Soft goat cheese “melts” into the dressing making it creamier. Whereas feta cheese crumbles are saltier and hold on their own better.

Recipe Tip

I encourage you to always buy organic spinach and strawberries, and only when they’re in season. According to the Dirty Dozen, these rank at the top of produce heavily sprayed with pesticides that are impossible to wash off.

Strawberry Spinach Salad Dressing Ingredients

I know homemade salad dressing can be intimidating. Never know what to add and the ratio. But this balsamic dressing is embarrassingly easy to make with only 4 ingredients.

  • Olive oil: Quality raw extra virgin olive oil would be the best with its deep velvety smooth texture and fruit taste. For example, light olive oil is best for sauteing, has a mild taste, and has fewer health benefits.
  • Balsamic vinegar: Sweet deep balsamic vinegar makes the dressing. You can substitute it with red wine or apple cider vinegar to make this spinach strawberry salad recipe.
  • Maple syrup: Adds sweetness. Honey or agave syrup can be substituted.
  • Soy sauce: I used Bragg’s liquid aminos but regular soy sauce also works. It completes the last requirement for a good salad dressing in a ratio of oil+acid+sweet+salt. You will appreciate its umami flavor in many healthy salad recipes!
Baby spinach, pecans, strawberries, feta cheese, maple syrup, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, red onion.

How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

Consider these directions as your jumping off point to making this strawberry spinach salad recipe your own. Omit what you don’t want or add in more of what you love.

1. Toast pecans: Preheat the skillet well then add nuts and toast them until they’re fragrant. Nuts burn fast once they hit a hot surface, so stir often and don’t walk away. Once toasted, remove them from the heat immediately.

2. Make the dressing: Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, and soy sauce with a fork in a bowl. Or shake dressing in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

3. Combine everything: In a large bowl add spinach, chopped strawberries, and onion, toasted pecans, crumble cheese on top. Drizzle with the dressing and toss the spinach strawberry salad.

Recipe Tip

Avoid soggy salad! It’s best to drizzle the dressing on top just before serving. Otherwise, if it sits too long, the salad will become soggy!

Variations and Substitutions

There are so many reasons to love this strawberry spinach salad recipe, and one of my favorites is that you can easily swap ingredients to what you have on hand.

  • For a peppery, slightly bitter twist, add a bit of arugula. We love it in this sweet and zesty arugula beet salad. It will go so well with berries too!
  • Use fresh blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries instead. Apples and pears are a great option in the fall instead of strawberries.
  • Try another dressing like my poppyseed dressing or this spinach salad dressing instead or choose another of our favorite healthy salad dressings.
  • Out of pecans? Roasted almonds, chopped walnuts, pistachios, or even cashews taste great.

What To Serve with Spinach Strawberry Salad?

As is, this spinach strawberry salad makes the perfect side salad or starter, but you can easily turn it into a complete meal for a light lunch or dinner!

Can This Salad Be Made Ahead of Time?

This strawberry and spinach salad is a perfect candidate for Easter or Mother’s Day when strawberries are in season!

If you choose to assemble the salad ahead of time, refrigerate covered salad in a bowl. You can also prepare the components separately and assemble all of it just before serving.

Either way, always keep salad dressing separate in a jar for up to 2 days and add it just before serving. Warm up on a counter for 15 minutes or in a glass with hot water, and give it a shake afterwards.

Recipe Tip

If you like nuts super crunchy, store them separately in a dry place. Nuts absorb the moisture really in the bowl and fridge fast.

FAQs

What can I use instead of feta cheese?

Soft mozzarella cheese, either cubed or baby mozzarella balls, and crumbled blue cheese would be delish with strawberry spinach salad balsamic dressing! Bocconcini or gorgonzola would also be great.

Can I omit the pecans in this strawberry spinach salad?

Yes! Sunflower seeds would be a great nut free replacement.

Can I add poppy seeds to the balsamic dressing?

Sure you can. This strawberry spinach salad balsamic dressing is amazing as is, but some people might enjoy adding poppy seeds, while others prefer a squeeze of dijon mustard.

Strawberry and spinach salad in a bowl for serving.

More Spinach Recipes to Try

More Healthy Salad Recipes to Try

50 more healthy salad recipes to last you for a year.

Strawberry spinach salad with balsamic dressing being poured on salad.
Strawberry spinach salad with feta cheese in a bowl with utensils.

Best Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Dressing

The only Strawberry Spinach Salad with a homemade balsamic dressing that you will ever need! Healthy, super tasty and with tons of substitutions this simple salad takes only 20 minutes to make (including toasting nuts!).
4.89 from 36 votes
Servings 8 servings (side dish)
Calories 263
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes

Ingredients  

Strawberry Spinach Salad:

  • 1 lb strawberries hulled and sliced in halves (quarters)
  • 3 oz goat or feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups pecans
  • 11 oz box baby spinach pre-washed

Balsamic Dressing:

Instructions 

  • Preheat ceramic non-stick medium skillet on medium heat and add pecans. Toast for about 3 minutes or until fragrant, stirring frequently. Remove from heat immediately to prevent nuts from burning.
  • In a small bowl, combine olive oil, maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce and whisk with a fork. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, add spinach and top with strawberries, cheese, red onion and toasted pecans.
  • Drizzle dressing on top and stir gently until well combined. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • Store: Salad is best consumed within 1-2 hours of mixing. You can refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 day in an airtight container but keep in mind spinach will get soggy.
  • Make ahead dressing: Whether you choose to make balsamic or poppy seed dressing, both can be prepared ahead and refrigerated for up to 4-5 days. 
  • Other greens: For a peppery twist, add part arugula. 
  • Other berries and fruit: Use fresh blueberries, raspberries or blackberries instead. 
  • Other cheeses: Soft mozzarella cheese, either cubed or baby mozzarella balls, and crumbled blue cheese would be delish! 
  • Out of pecans? Roast almonds, chopped walnuts, pistachios or even cashews.
  • Added protein. Top with some healthy grilled chicken recipe for protein.
See recipe post for more tips and FAQs.

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 218mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g
Course: Salad
Cuisine: North American
Author: Olena Osipov
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!

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About Olena

Welcome! I grew up in Ukraine watching my grandma cook with simple ingredients. I have spent the last 11 years making it my mission to help you cook quick and easy meals for your family!

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Comments

  1. Sounds great but I don’t have balsamic vinegar– only white, apple cider and red wine vinegars. Can i use one of these or make a substitute using one of them?

  2. 5 stars
    I was looking for an easy and simple meal on Friday night and decided to go for this salad. I had some grilled chicken on the side. The salad is delicious and I loved the dressing.

  3. 5 stars
    This was delicious. Will be making it again! I Decreased the amount of maple syrup a bit since the vinegar was pretty sweet.

  4. 5 stars
    Fantastic. Quick and easy too. I used blue cheese and felt I’d like it a bit sweeter…(only had pretend maple, not the real thing) so I added some honey. It will be a staple in our house for sure. Thanks a lot.

  5. 5 stars
    I made this today for lunch and enjoyed all of the fresh, complimentary flavors and textures! The balsamic dressing is the best homemade balsamic dressing I have ever been able to make myself. I usually struggle with getting the right proportions or the right flavors, but this recipe is spot on perfect and will be my new go-to dressing for many different salad recipes! I added cubed chicken to this salad since my husband prefers a meat protein in his meals (I baked chicken tenders in the oven with EVOO, fresh garlic, salt, pepper and a little hot chili pepper) and we also added croutons. I will definitely make this again!

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