Best Strawberry Spinach Salad

My Favorite Summer Friend

This is my best strawberry spinach salad recipe. I make it all summer long. The red berries and green leaves look so happy together. It is a true summer salad recipe that feels like a party on a plate. I love a spinach salad with strawberries because it is both sweet and fresh. The toasted pecans add a cozy crunch. Every bite is a little adventure. What is your favorite fruit to add to a salad? I would love to hear your ideas.

A Little Story About Berries

I once brought this strawberry salad to a neighbor’s picnic. Her little boy, who “hated green stuff,” ate two whole helpings. His mom’s jaw dropped. I still laugh at that. This matters because food should be a joy, not a fight. A healthy salad recipe can be the most delicious thing on the table. It just needs the right friends, like sweet berries and a tasty homemade dressing. That’s the secret to an easy strawberry spinach salad.

The Magic is in the Mix

Let’s talk about the team in your bowl. The baby spinach is soft and mild. The juicy strawberries and plump blueberries bring the sweetness. Then comes the fun part: the toppings! You must toast the pecans. It wakes up their nutty flavor. The crumbled goat cheese is creamy and tangy. It all gets tossed in my simple poppy seed dressing. Doesn’t that sound amazing? For another sweet berry treat, try this fresh strawberry pie recipe for summer.

Why Toasting Nuts Matters

Here is a little “why this matters” for you. Toasting nuts changes everything. It makes your kitchen smell wonderful. More importantly, it makes the nuts taste richer and crunchier. A toasted pecans salad just feels more special. It shows you cared enough to take that extra minute. *Fun fact: The heat from toasting releases the nuts’ natural oils. That’s where the big flavor comes from!* Do you prefer pecans, walnuts, or almonds on your salad?

Your Homemade Dressing

Please, promise me you’ll make the homemade salad dressing. It is so easy. Just shake everything in a jar. The honey and mustard make it silky and sweet with a little kick. A dressing from a bottle can’t compare. This one is fresh and light. It coats every leaf perfectly. Making your own is a small act of love for your food. If you enjoy homemade spreads, you might also love this honey-sweetened strawberry jam recipe.

Bringing It All Together

Now, for the final act. Put your beautiful spinach and fruit in a big bowl. Add the onion and those warm pecans. Sprinkle the white goat cheese on top like snow. Drizzle your dressing over everything. Then toss it gently with clean hands or two big spoons. Serve it right away. This strawberry spinach salad is best when it’s fresh and crisp. It pairs wonderfully with a strawberry stuffed french toast recipe for a special brunch.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Fresh baby spinach	10 oz	For the salad
Strawberries	1 lb	Hulled and sliced
Blueberries	1 cup
Pecans	1/2 cup	Toasted
Goat cheese	4 oz	Crumbled
Red onion	1/2 small	Thinly sliced
Olive oil	1/3 cup	For the poppy seed dressing
Red wine vinegar	3 tbsp
Honey	2 tbsp
Poppy seeds	1 tbsp
Dijon mustard	1 tsp
Salt	1/4 tsp
Black pepper	1/8 tsp

Instructions

Step 1: First, make your homemade salad dressing. Whisk everything in a bowl. Doesn’t that smell amazing? A jar with a lid works great too. (Shake it like you’re dancing!) This easy strawberry spinach salad dressing is the secret.

Step 2: Now, toast the pecans in a dry pan. Watch them closely and stir. I still laugh at the time I burned a batch. Let them cool completely. This makes the best strawberry spinach salad so crunchy.

Step 3: Build your spinach salad with strawberries in a big bowl. Add the berries, onion, and cooled pecans. Do you prefer blueberries or raspberries? Share below! This healthy salad recipe is a rainbow.

Step 4: Crumble the goat cheese over the top. Be generous! Then, drizzle on that lovely dressing. A little goes a long way at first. Your strawberry salad is almost ready to eat.

Step 5: Gently toss everything together. Serve your summer salad recipe immediately. I love the sweet and savory mix. This complete strawberry spinach salad recipe is perfect for sharing.

Creative Twists

Swap goat cheese for feta. It’s tangy and delicious too.
Add grilled chicken or salmon. Turn this side into a full meal.
Use maple syrup in the dressing. It gives a cozy, warm flavor.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving & Pairing Ideas

Serve this easy strawberry spinach salad with grilled sandwiches for lunch. For dinner, it pairs beautifully with simple grilled chicken. A scoop of quiche makes it a lovely brunch. The toasted pecans salad is so versatile. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Summer Salad Fresh

Let’s talk about storing this lovely strawberry salad. Always keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. I learned this the hard way. My first spinach salad turned into a soggy mess overnight. Store the greens, toppings, and dressing in different containers in the fridge.

You can batch-prep the parts for this healthy salad recipe. Toast a big batch of pecans for the week. Slice your strawberries and onions ahead of time. Keep them in their own little bowls. This makes throwing together your easy strawberry spinach salad a five-minute task on a busy night.

This matters because good food should make life easier, not harder. A little planning means you always have a bright, summer salad recipe ready. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Salad Struggles

Even simple salads can have little troubles. Here are three common fixes. First, soggy greens. Always dry your spinach well after washing. A salad spinner is a kitchen hero. I remember serving a pool of water with my salad once. It was not my best moment.

Second, bland dressing. Taste it before it goes on the greens. It should be a little too strong on its own. This matters because dressing needs to flavor every leaf. Third, soft nuts. Toasting your pecans is a must for that toasted pecans salad crunch. It adds warm, cozy flavor you just can’t buy.

Fixing these small issues builds your cooking confidence. You learn to make every bite count. Your best strawberry spinach salad will shine. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

What is the vinaigrette for strawberry spinach salad?

The perfect homemade salad dressing for this salad is a sweet-tangy poppy seed vinaigrette. You whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, and honey. Then add Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper. It’s a breeze to make and clings to every leaf and berry beautifully, making it the best choice for your spinach salad with strawberries.

What goes well with spinach salad?

This strawberry spinach salad recipe is a wonderful side. It pairs beautifully with simple grilled chicken or fish. It’s also fantastic next to a warm slice of strawberry banana bread for a lighter meal. The fresh, sweet flavors complement richer main dishes perfectly, making your whole meal feel special and balanced.

What is the best dressing to use on your salad?

The best dressing is often one you make yourself. You control the sweetness and tang. For this strawberry salad, the poppy seed dressing is ideal. Its sweetness highlights the berries. The vinegar cuts through the rich goat cheese. A *fun fact*: shaking dressing in a jar is a great job for a young helper in the kitchen!

What are some common spinach salad mistakes?

Common mistakes include adding dressing too early, which wilts the spinach. Not drying the leaves makes the dressing slide off. Forgetting to toast nuts misses a big flavor chance. Also, slicing strawberries too far ahead can make them leak juice. Avoiding these ensures your healthy salad recipe stays crisp and vibrant from the first bite to the last.

What dressing for strawberry spinach salad?

You’ll want a sweet and tangy vinaigrette. The recipe here uses a poppy seed dressing. The honey matches the fruit’s sweetness. The red wine vinegar adds a nice sharpness. This combination is classic for a reason. It makes the flavors in your easy strawberry spinach salad pop without overpowering the delicate spinach and fresh berries.

How do you make a strawberry vinaigrette?

While this recipe uses a poppy seed dressing, a strawberry vinaigrette is lovely too. Blend a few berries with vinegar, honey, and oil until smooth. Strain it if you want no seeds. It’s a pink, pretty dressing perfect for summer. Try it drizzled over strawberry stuffed French toast too! Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making this bright, cheerful salad. It always reminds me of sunny days and shared meals. Cooking is about creating those small, happy moments. I’d love to hear about your kitchen adventures. Did you add a different cheese? Maybe some avocado?

Tell me all about it in the comments below. Your stories are my favorite thing to read with my morning tea. Have you tried this recipe? Let me know how it turned out for you and your family.

Happy cooking!
—Elowen Thorn