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Every year I look forward to strawberry season and Strawberry Spinach Salad is the first thing I make. Fresh baby spinach, sweet strawberries, buttery pecans and goat cheese are tossed in a honey sweetened balsamic vinaigrette – it’s so simple to make and beyond delicious.

strawberry spinach salad served in a gray ceramic bowl
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You might wonder how good Strawberry Spinach Salad can be with its short list of ingredients and easy instructions. But, I promise you, the flavor of this salad is nothing short of spectacular.

I thought that I’d never find an equal to the family favorite spinach salad I grew up with, but this one qualifies. It’s one of those salads that you and your family will crave, one that you can rely on when you want to impress lunch or dinner guests.

Perfect Pairings for Strawberry Spinach Salad

Although this salad is hearty enough to make a light meal on its own (Sometimes I top it with crispy Baked Goat Cheese instead of crumbled.), it also makes a great side to these main dishes:

More Inspiration for Salad Lovers!

How to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad

Step 1: For dressing, add balsamic vinegar, shallot and honey to a blender pitcher; blend until smooth. With blender running add olive oil in a steady stream; continue blending until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to pitcher for serving.

transferring balsamic vinaigrette to serving pitcher

Step 2: In a large salad bowl, top spinach with strawberries, pecans and goat cheese. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and gently toss to coat. Serve.

strawberry spinach salad ingredients in a bowl
pouring balsamic vinaigrette over spinach salad ingredients
tossing spinach salad ingredients with balsamic dressing

Strawberry Spinach Salad

5 from 9 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 373
Servings: 4 people
A simple and spectacular salad that you’ll want to make again and again!

Video

Ingredients  

For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 small shallot coarsely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the Salad:

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

Instructions 

For the Dressing:

  • Add balsamic vinegar, shallot 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, strawberries, pecans, and goat cheese to a large salad bowl. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing; gently toss to coat. Serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 381mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 3540IU | Vitamin C: 43.8mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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28 Comments

  1. Steven Smith says:

    I love this salad. Have you ever tried mixing a blueberry vinaigrette and ranch dressing as a topping? Also candied nuts tend to lend a sweetness i crave to this salad. Bacon never hurts also. This would be a perfect opportunity to add your favorite crouton recipe here as well. Your old bread with maybe some butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese that melts in your mouth on top this salad would really bring it home!

    1. Marissa says:

      Hi, Steven! So glad you’re enjoying salad – thanks for your ideas on mixing it up!

  2. mimi rippee says:

    Ah, I was reluctant to pop over, because I was (mostly) sure that I’d see a cup of white sugar in your poppy seed dressing. I should know you better by now!!! One tablespoon of honey – that’s more like it! Lovely salad.

    1. Marissa says:

      Love this comment, Mimi – thank you! xo

  3. Joanne Rappos says:

    One of my fav summer salads!! Itโ€™s always a hit at bbqs too!! Love it Marissa!!

    1. Marissa says:

      Thank you, Joanne! Yes, always a crowd pleaser! ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Kevin says:

    5 stars
    Berries are getting to their prime season so this salad is going to be tried very soon! Looks delicious!

    1. Marissa says:

      You know I love to hear that, Kevin!

  5. Katherine | Love In My Oven says:

    Strawberries, pecans, spinach…what more could you want from a salad!? It’s the perfect spring-time salad!!

    1. Marissa says:

      I agree!! Thank you, Katherine!

  6. Liz says:

    5 stars
    YUM! I need to try your recipe ASAP. I love my mom’s version but there’s SO much sugar in the dressing (maybe that’s why I like it???). So happy to find decent berries in the market on occasion…. but summer cannot arrive soon enough. So good to finally meet you in person—wish we had more time to chat, but hope we’ll get another chance!

    1. Marissa says:

      I’m excited for you to give this a try, Liz! Loved meeting you in person! Let’s make a point to spend more time together next year at EFC!

  7. Kelly | Foodtasia says:

    5 stars
    Oh Marissa! What a lovely salad! I’m so loving the flavors – strawberry and goat cheese and that dressing – YUMMO!

    1. Marissa says:

      aww, thank you so much, Kelly!

  8. Valentina says:

    5 stars
    Marissa, what a beautiful summery salad. Strawberries are my favorite summer fruit, and that dressing looks SO rich and creamy. I could drink it!

    1. Marissa says:

      Thank you! I think you’ll love this, Valentina!

  9. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says:

    5 stars
    You’re speaking my language here. I LOVE strawberries in my salad, especially with some cheese to make it salty sweet. This sounds AWESOME!

    1. Marissa says:

      We’re simpatico, Kelsie! I love salty sweet combinations too. ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. David @ Spiced says:

    5 stars
    I saw this on Instagram, and it immediately made me want a salad! I love the strawberries + goat cheese combination here. Sign me up for this alongside any grilled summer meal! ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Marissa says:

      woohoo! I hope you’ll give it a try, David!

  11. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says:

    5 stars
    Such a classic and so so yummy! Pile on the goat cheese, I say ๐Ÿ™‚ Lunch goals right there, my friend!

    1. Marissa says:

      Thanks, Dawn! Pile on the goat cheese for me too!

  12. angiesrecipes says:

    This looks incredibly fresh and delicious!

    1. Marissa says:

      Thank you, Angie!

  13. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says:

    5 stars
    One of my favorite salad combos Marissa! Love those sweet strawberries and pecans. Such an easy salad with such great flavor!

    1. Marissa says:

      It doesn’t surprise me that you and I are on the same page about salads, Mary Ann! Thanks so much!

  14. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says:

    5 stars
    100% agreed. Strawberry & spinach salad is such a simple yet delicious and hearty combo, and I make it at least once each summer, too. I also like adding of some prosciutto for a pronounced smoky flavour.

    1. Marissa says:

      That’s a great addition, Ben! Thank you.