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    Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad

    Published: May 5, 2021 by Marissa Stevens · 15 Comments

    Gluten FreeVegetarianQuick Meals

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad served in a light gray ceramic bowl

    When it comes to warm weather salads, it's hard to beat Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad. A complex blend of sweet, salty, nutty flavors finished with a fresh strawberry dressing, it's the perfect spring or summer salad.

    Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad served in a light gray ceramic bowl

    Remember when salads were an afterthought, often overdone with heavy salad dressings? Times have changed, thank goodness. Today salad options are endless and are often the focus of a meal. Though this summer strawberry salad (with fresh Strawberry Vinaigrette) makes a wonderful side dish for heartier meals, it stands alone beautifully for a summer dinner al fresco with a chilled glass of white wine or rosé. 

    Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad Ingredients

    Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad Ingredients on a white marble board
    • Baby Spinach: Convenient and time-saving to buy pre-washed. 
    • Fresh Strawberries: Look for ripe, vibrant red, sweet strawberries. (Strawberries don't continue to ripen once they're picked.) If you can't find ripe strawberries, swap in fresh blueberries and blueberry preserves for another perfect summer salad option.
    • Walnuts: raw or lightly toasted walnut halves or pieces
    • Feta Cheese: Goat cheese would also be delicious
    • Vinegar: Red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar are all good options. (Red wine vinegar is best for color.)
    • Strawberry Preserves: or strawberry jam
    • Shallot: A small wedge of sweet red onion is also an option.
    • Honey: or maple syrup
    • Olive Oil: good quality, extra-virgin olive oil
    • Kosher Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

    Here you'll crown fresh baby spinach leaves with slices of fresh, sweet strawberries, creamy crumbled feta cheese, to lend a creamy note and enticing saltiness, and a handful of chopped walnuts to add a crunch. A drizzle of fresh strawberry vinaigrette pulls all of the flavors together.

    And the best part? This strawberry spinach salad is ready in less than fifteen minutes, including prep work.

    Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad served in a light gray ceramic bowl

    Makes a Perfect Complement to:

    • Grilled Lamb Chops (Less than 30 minutes to make.)
    • Carne Asada (A citrus trifecta makes this juicy grilled steak stand apart from others like it.)
    • Spicy Grilled Shrimp (Super fast, wildly delicious and just 5 ingredients plus salt and pepper.)
    • Grilled Cauliflower Steaks (A butter finish makes these totally irresistible.)

    More Must Try Salad Recipes

    • Strawberry Spinach Salad (with pecans and a Balsamic Vinaigrette)
    • Arugula Salad (or, heartier Arugula Apple Salad)
    • Caesar Salad with the most amazing homemade Caesar Dressing
    Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad served in a light gray ceramic bowl

    Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad

    Marissa Stevens
    A quintessential spring / summer salad to make when fresh strawberries are at their best.
    5 from 5 votes
    Save Recipe Saved! Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 383 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Dressing:

    • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
    • 1 small shallot coarsely chopped
    • 1 cup fresh strawberries stemmed and quartered
    • 1 tablespoon strawberry preserves
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • ⅓ cup olive oil
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

    For the Salad:

    • 5 ounces baby spinach
    • 2 ounces walnuts coarsely chopped
    • 3 ounces crumbled goat cheese or feta
    • 8 ounces strawberries quartered

    Instructions
     

    For the Dressing:

    • Add red wine vinegar, shallot, strawberries, strawberry preserves and honey to a blender pitcher; blend until smooth. With blender running, add olive oil in a steady stream; blend until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

    For the Salad:

    • Add spinach to a large salad bowl and drizzle with just enough dressing to coat lightly (see recipe note); gently toss to coat. Sprinkle dressed spinach evenly with strawberries, walnuts, and goat cheese; drizzle with desired amount of dressing and serve.

    Notes

    1. Dressing the spinach and toppings separately mean that the toppings don't end up on the bottom of the salad bowl. Take care not to overdress the spinach since you'll be drizzling the salad with dressing after you add the toppings.
    2. This recipe makes ample dressing and you'll likely have some leftover. Enjoy within one week.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 383kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 8gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 441mgFiber: 4gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 3557IUVitamin C: 66mgCalcium: 98mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword 4th of July, easy, Memorial Day, summer, vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?I'd love to see it! Tag me on Instagram at @pinchandswirl or leave me a comment and rating below.

    More Salad Recipes

    • Pulled Pork Salad
    • Caesar Salad
    • Classic Wedge Salad
    • Crab Salad

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Leslie Strouse says

      May 25, 2022 at 10:43 am

      I didn’t add the olive oil gradually, I pored it all in do I need to start over?

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 25, 2022 at 11:02 am

        Hi Leslie! No, you don't need to start over. Just whisk it until the dressing is emulsified - it will just take a little longer than when you add the oil slowly.

        Reply
    2. Drew Padgett says

      April 17, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious dressing! Unique recipe that tastes like summer!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        April 19, 2022 at 1:28 pm

        Thanks so much, Drew! I love that - it really does taste like summer.

        Reply
    3. Sally says

      August 14, 2021 at 7:11 am

      5 stars
      Everything about this looks like just what I need right now. I love the simple dressing and the combination of strawberries with nuts too. This is tonight’s dinner!

      Reply
    4. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      May 07, 2021 at 1:07 pm

      5 stars
      This is basically the perfect summer salad, Marissa! Strawberries, spinach, goat cheese and nuts. The BEST together! Your dressing sounds refreshing too!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 07, 2021 at 1:53 pm

        Thank you, Katherine!

        Reply
    5. annie@ciaochowbambina says

      May 07, 2021 at 9:43 am

      5 stars
      I agree! It is hard to beat a Spinach Strawberry Walnut Salad! Love the color, love the crunch! You've nailed it, my friend!!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 07, 2021 at 11:05 am

        aww...thank you, Annie! xo

        Reply
    6. David @ Spiced says

      May 06, 2021 at 4:13 am

      5 stars
      This recipe just screams spring to me! I love the fresh strawberries in there, and walnuts bring such a fun flavor profile. Add a piece of grilled chicken or salmon, and I could see turning this into a full meal!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 07, 2021 at 11:07 am

        Yes, absolutely! Eaten on the patio with a glass of white wine, right?

        Reply
    7. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

      May 05, 2021 at 7:50 pm

      While we often enjoy more hearty and filling salads during the cold months, our perfect summer salads looks like this one - packed with flavour and texture yet light and fresh! This one would be the best either locally grown strawberries as they're super aromatic!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 07, 2021 at 11:08 am

        I agree, Ben! Thanks so much.

        Reply
    8. angiesrecipes says

      May 05, 2021 at 5:21 am

      Fruity, nutty and salty...wonderful flavour and colour combo! My husband love his salad with seasonal fruit and nuts...so this is definitely something for him!

      Reply
      • Marissa Stevens says

        May 05, 2021 at 10:56 am

        That's so great to hear, Angie. Thank you!

        Reply

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