Strawberry Spinach Salad with Goat Cheese

A Salad That Tastes Like Spring

This spinach strawberry salad is my favorite spring salad recipe. It is bright and happy. The red berries look like little jewels. The green leaves are so fresh. It just feels like sunshine on a plate. I love how easy this salad recipe is. You just toss a few good things together. The sweet fruit and soft goat cheese make it special. It is a perfect fruit salad recipe for a sunny day. Doesn’t that sound nice?

The Secret is in the Toppings

Let’s talk about those maple glazed walnuts. They are the best part. You cook them with maple syrup in a pan. It makes them sweet and crunchy. I still laugh at how fast my grandson eats them. He calls them “candy nuts.” Then you have the creamy goat cheese crumbles. They add a tangy taste. It balances the sweet strawberries. A little balsamic glaze on top ties it all together. *Fun fact: Real balsamic glaze is made from cooked-down grape juice. It is thick and sweet.*

Why This Simple Bowl Matters

This matters because food should make you feel good. A bright goat cheese salad does that. It is full of colors from nature. Eating different colors is good for your body. That is my first little insight for you. My second insight is about sharing. This salad is great for sharing with family. It is a gentle way to try new flavors. The sweet maple vinaigrette makes everything friendly. Even people who say they don’t like spinach often like this.

A Little Story About Watercress

The recipe says watercress is optional. I like to add it. It gives a nice peppery bite. It turns a simple spinach strawberry salad into a fancy watercress salad. I first had watercress by a creek as a girl. My grandma picked it. We ate it right there. It tasted so clean and sharp. Now, every time I add it, I think of her. Do you have a food that reminds you of someone?

Let’s Make It Together

First, make your maple glazed walnuts. Let them cool completely. They get crunchier as they cool. Then whisk your maple vinaigrette. Shake it in a jar if you like. Kids love to help with that part. Toss the greens lightly with the dressing. Then add your toppings like a picture. Drizzle that dark balsamic glaze last. It makes it look so pretty. What is your favorite part to add when you make a salad?

Your Turn in the Kitchen

This easy salad recipe is just a start. You can change it. Try blueberries instead of strawberries. Or use almonds instead of walnuts. Cooking is about playing. I would love to hear what you create. Did you try the watercress? Did your family like the maple glazed walnuts? Tell me about your version of this strawberry spinach salad. I read every note.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Walnut halves	2/3 cup	For maple glazed walnuts
Maple syrup	2 Tablespoons	For maple glazed walnuts
Salt	Pinch	For maple glazed walnuts
Maple syrup	1 Tablespoon	For maple vinaigrette
Vegetable, canola or neutral cooking oil	1 Tablespoon	For maple vinaigrette
White wine vinegar	1 1/2 teaspoon	For maple vinaigrette
Salt and pepper	To taste	For maple vinaigrette
Baby Spinach	4 oz.	Base for salad
Watercress	2 oz.	Optional
Maple Vinaigrette	All from above	Dressing for salad
Goat cheese crumbles	1/4 cup
Maple glazed walnuts	All from above	Topping for salad
Sliced Strawberries	1 cup
Balsamic Glaze	For drizzling	Topping
Freshly ground pepper	To taste	Topping, if desired

Instructions

Step 1: First, make your maple glazed walnuts. Warm a pan on the stove. Add walnuts and maple syrup with a pinch of salt. Stir them until they smell toasty and sweet. (Tip: Use a fork to separate them fast on parchment!) Let them cool completely. This makes them wonderfully crunchy for your spinach strawberry salad.

Step 2: Next, whisk up the maple vinaigrette. Just mix maple syrup, oil, and vinegar in a jar. Shake it until it looks creamy. I love this sweet dressing on a spring salad recipe. It’s the secret to a perfect goat cheese salad. Do you like sweet or tangy dressings best? Share below!

Step 3: Now, let’s build our easy salad recipe. Put fresh spinach and watercress in a big bowl. Watercress adds a nice little peppery bite. Drizzle some of that maple vinaigrette over the greens. Toss them gently until they glisten. Doesn’t that smell amazing?

Step 4: Time for the beautiful toppings! Arrange sliced strawberries on your greens. Sprinkle over the goat cheese crumbles and maple glazed walnuts. I still laugh at how fast the cheese disappears. This is one of my favorite fruit salad recipes for a reason.

Step 5: Finally, finish your masterpiece. Drizzle a little balsamic glaze over everything. It makes pretty dark swirls. Add a grind of fresh pepper on top. Your stunning strawberry spinach salad is ready. I promise it tastes as good as it looks.

Creative Twists

Swap goat cheese for creamy blue cheese crumbles. Add grilled chicken or salmon to make it a full meal. Use juicy peaches instead of strawberries in summer. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving & Pairing Ideas

This watercress salad is a lovely light lunch on its own. For dinner, serve it with a warm baguette and soup. You could also add some grilled shrimp right on top. A glass of iced tea pairs perfectly with this spring salad recipe. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Spring Salad Fresh and Bright

Let’s talk about keeping your strawberry spinach salad perfect. Always store the dressing separately from the greens. A little jar in the fridge works great. Keep your maple glazed walnuts in a sealed container too. They stay crunchy that way.

I remember my first big salad for a family picnic. I dressed it all hours early. We ended up with a soggy, sad bowl. What a lesson that was! Now I pack everything in little containers. I assemble it right at the table.

This matters because good food is a gift to your future self. Making the parts ahead is a kindness. It means a lovely, easy spring salad recipe is minutes away on a busy day. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Simple Fixes for Common Salad Troubles

Salads can have little problems. But the fixes are easy. First, soggy greens. Never pour dressing on until you are ready to eat. Toss your spinach strawberry salad gently with just a little vinaigrette first.

Second, walnuts that stick together. I once made a big sweet clump. The trick is to separate them fast on the parchment paper. Let them cool completely before storing. Third, a dressing that’s too sharp. The maple vinaigrette should be sweet and tangy. Balance it with a tiny pinch more maple syrup if needed.

Fixing these small things builds your cooking confidence. It also makes the flavors sing. Every bite of your goat cheese salad will be just right. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Quick Questions, Answered

What goes well with strawberry spinach salad?

This easy salad recipe is a wonderful side. It pairs beautifully with simple grilled chicken or fish. It is also lovely with a quiche or soup for a light lunch. The sweet and savory flavors make it very versatile. It is one of my favorite fruit salad recipes for a spring brunch table too.

Can I make strawberry spinach salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare all the parts ahead. Wash and dry the spinach and watercress. Make the maple glazed walnuts and maple vinaigrette. Store everything separately in the fridge. Assemble your spring salad recipe just before serving. This keeps the greens perky and the walnuts crunchy. It is the best trick for a stress-free meal.

What dressing is best for strawberry spinach goat cheese salad?

The maple vinaigrette in this recipe is perfect. Its sweet note complements the strawberries. The tang balances the rich goat cheese. A balsamic glaze drizzle at the end adds a lovely depth. You could also use a simple poppyseed dressing. But this maple version is truly special for this goat cheese salad.

Can I use feta instead of goat cheese in strawberry spinach salad?

Absolutely. Feta cheese is a fine substitute. It will give your salad a saltier, briny flavor. Goat cheese is creamier and more mild. Both are delicious in this strawberry spinach salad. Use what you love or have on hand. The salad will still be wonderful.

How do you keep strawberry spinach salad from getting soggy?

The key is to keep the dressing away from the greens until serving. Always store your dressing in a separate jar. Also, make sure your spinach and watercress salad greens are very dry after washing. A salad spinner is a big help. Add the maple vinaigrette and toss gently right before you eat.

What protein can I add to strawberry spinach salad?

Grilled chicken breast or shrimp are top choices. Sliced steak or flaked salmon also work well. For a plant-based option, add chickpeas or grilled tofu. This turns the side into a full meal. The protein pairs nicely with the sweet strawberries and maple glazed walnuts. It makes the salad more filling and satisfying.

Which tip will you try first?

A Final Word from My Kitchen to Yours

I hope you love making this salad as much as I do. It tastes like sunshine on a plate. The mix of sweet strawberries and crunchy maple glazed walnuts is magic. *Fun fact: watercress is one of the oldest known leafy greens people have eaten!*

Thank you for letting me share my kitchen stories with you. I would love to hear about your cooking adventures. Have you tried this recipe? Tell me all about it in the comments below.

Happy cooking!

—Elena Rutherford