Fresh Strawberry and Spinach Salad Recipe: A Zingy Summer Delight

Crafting a vibrant strawberry and spinach salad brings unexpected magic to your plate.

Crisp green leaves mingle with juicy red berries in a delightful dance of flavors.

Sweet and tangy notes create a refreshing combination that surprises your taste buds.

Nutritious spinach provides a hearty base for this colorful culinary adventure.

Fresh ingredients transform an ordinary side dish into something extraordinary.

Summer’s bounty shines through each carefully assembled bite.

This simple yet elegant recipe promises to become your new favorite fresh feast.

Strawberry and Spinach Salad That Bursts with Flavor

• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with vitamins from fresh spinach and strawberries, this salad delivers a powerful punch of healthy ingredients that nourish your body and delight your taste buds.
• Craft in Minutes: Super quick to prepare with minimal chopping and simple dressing ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute meal planning.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows adding nuts, cheese, or protein to transform the basic salad into a complete meal that suits individual preferences and dietary needs.
• Vibrant Flavor Fusion: Combines sweet strawberries, tangy yogurt dressing, and crisp spinach for a refreshing taste experience that balances different flavor profiles beautifully.

Ingredients to Make Vibrant Strawberry and Spinach Salad

• Spinach: A fresh, leafy green that provides a nutrient-rich foundation for the salad.
• Strawberries: Sweet and juicy berries that add a vibrant flavor and bright color to the dish.
• Red Onion: Offers a sharp, crisp bite that complements the other ingredients.

• Greek Yogurt: Creamy base that creates a smooth and tangy dressing.
• Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the yogurt's tanginess.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a light, acidic note to brighten the dressing.
• Olive Oil: Provides richness and helps blend the dressing ingredients.

• Poppy Seeds: Tiny seeds that add a subtle crunch and decorative touch to the salad.

How to Toss Strawberry and Spinach Salad Easily

Step 1: Rinse and Dry Leafy Greens

Thoroughly wash the spinach leaves under cool running water. Gently shake off excess moisture and pat completely dry using clean paper towels or a salad spinner.

Step 2: Prepare Fresh Strawberries

Remove the green tops from strawberries and slice each berry into neat quarter sections.

Step 3: Create Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

• Greek yogurt
• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar
• Olive oil
• Poppy seeds

Blend ingredients until the mixture becomes smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Assemble Vibrant Salad

• Cleaned spinach leaves
• Sliced strawberry quarters
• Thinly sliced red onion

Gently pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss lightly to ensure even coating.

Step 5: Plate and Garnish

Transfer the dressed salad onto individual serving plates.

Sprinkle additional poppy seeds on top for extra visual appeal and texture. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy peak freshness and crispness.

Helpful Tips for Crisp and Flavorful Strawberry Salad

• Rinse spinach thoroughly to remove any dirt or grit, ensuring crisp and clean leaves for your salad.
• Choose ripe, bright red strawberries for maximum sweetness and vibrant color in the dish.
• Slice red onions paper-thin to avoid overpowering the delicate flavors of strawberries and spinach.
• Prepare dressing just before serving to maintain its fresh, creamy texture and prevent separation.
• Chill ingredients beforehand for a refreshing and cool salad, perfect for warm summer days.

Flavorful Twists on Strawberry and Spinach Salad

• Vegan Berry Spinach Salad: Replace Greek yogurt with silken tofu, use maple syrup instead of honey, and add chia seeds for protein.
• Keto-Friendly Green Salad: Swap strawberries with avocado, use full-fat sour cream, add chopped almonds, and replace honey with stevia.
• Protein-Packed Power Bowl: Include grilled chicken or tofu, sprinkle with sunflower seeds, and mix in quinoa for extra nutrients.
• Citrus Herb Variation: Replace apple cider vinegar with lemon juice, add fresh mint leaves, and include crumbled feta cheese for tangy flavor.

Pairings That Pair Perfectly with Strawberry and Spinach Salad

• Select a light, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the salad's bright, tangy flavors and cuts through the creamy yogurt dressing.
• Create a delightful side of toasted baguette slices topped with creamy goat cheese, which adds a rich, tangy element that enhances the salad's sweetness and texture.
• Add protein with lemon-herb marinated chicken skewers that provide a savory contrast to the sweet strawberries and provide a complete, balanced meal experience.

How to Keep Strawberry and Spinach Salad Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store the salad components separately in airtight containers. Keep dressing in a sealed jar, spinach and strawberries in different containers. Consume within 1-2 days for best quality.
• Separate Storage: Never mix dressed salad as it becomes soggy quickly. Keep dressing and vegetables apart until ready to eat.
• Dressing Preservation: Refrigerate yogurt-based dressing in a tightly sealed container for up to 3-4 days. Shake well before reusing.
• Avoid Freezing: This salad doesn't freeze well due to high water content in spinach and strawberries, which turns vegetables mushy when thawed.

FAQs

• What makes this salad a healthy choice?

This salad is packed with nutrients from fresh spinach and strawberries, offering a high dose of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber while being low in calories.

• Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have some on hand?

You can replace Greek yogurt with sour cream or plain yogurt, and swap apple cider vinegar with white wine vinegar or lemon juice. Red onion can be substituted with green onions or shallots.

• Is this salad suitable for special diets?

The salad is naturally vegetarian and can be easily made gluten-free. It’s also low-carb and fits well into many health-conscious eating plans.

Strawberry And Spinach Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delightful strawberry and spinach salad combines fresh greens with sweet berries and tangy goat cheese. Crisp almonds and zesty vinaigrette elevate this light, refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 cups fresh spinach
• 2 cups juicy strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tbsps poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tbsps honey
• 2 tbsps apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsps olive oil

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly rinse fresh spinach leaves under cool running water, then carefully dry using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel.
2. Remove stems from ripe strawberries and slice each berry into delicate quarter segments.
3. Create a vibrant dressing by whisking creamy Greek yogurt with golden honey, tangy apple cider vinegar, fragrant olive oil, and delicate poppy seeds until ingredients merge into a smooth, silky consistency.
4. Transfer crisp spinach leaves into a spacious mixing bowl, gently incorporating sliced strawberries and thinly shaved red onion rings.
5. Pour prepared dressing over salad ingredients, using soft folding motions to ensure every leaf and fruit piece receives an even, light coating without bruising delicate components.
6. Plate the salad immediately to maintain optimal freshness, optionally sprinkling additional poppy seeds across the top for elegant visual contrast and subtle textural crunch.

Notes

• Opt for organic spinach and strawberries to enhance the salad’s freshness and minimize potential pesticide exposure.
• Chill ingredients beforehand to keep the salad crisp and refreshing, especially during warm weather.
• Swap Greek yogurt with dairy-free alternatives like coconut or almond yogurt for a vegan-friendly version.
• Use mandoline slicer for uniform, thin red onion slices to distribute flavor evenly and add delicate texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 150 kcal
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg