Strawberry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Strawberry Spinach Salad featuring fresh organic spinach, juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and crunchy toasted almonds and pistachios. Drizzled with a homemade strawberry balsamic vinaigrette, this salad is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, creamy, and crunchy flavors, making it an ideal light lunch or side dish for summer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 package (5 ounces) organic spinach
- 8 ounces strawberries, halved (about 2 cups halved strawberries)
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup feta crumbles
- ⅓ cup raw sliced almonds
- ¼ cup chopped shelled roasted pistachios
For the Balsamic Strawberry Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, grated or finely minced
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ tablespoon strawberry jam (or jam of choice)
- Freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a mason jar or small bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, and strawberry jam. Shake or whisk thoroughly until emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground pepper as needed.
- Toast the Almonds: Place the sliced almonds in a dry pan over medium heat. Stir occasionally for 2-5 minutes until the almonds turn slightly golden brown and aromatic. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely to preserve their crunch.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, add the organic spinach as the base. Layer the halved strawberries, sliced avocado, thinly sliced red onion, feta crumbles, cooled toasted almonds, and chopped roasted pistachios evenly on top.
- Toss and Serve: Either toss the salad with the vinaigrette to coat evenly or serve the dressing on the side for individual portions. For serving, drizzle each bowl with about 1/4 of the prepared dressing and top with additional toasted almonds for extra crunch. Serve immediately for best freshness.
Notes
- This salad is best enjoyed the same day for optimal freshness but remains delicious the next day when stored properly.
- Substitute strawberries with other fresh fruits like blueberries, peaches, raspberries, or blackberries for a different fruity twist.
- Create your own fruity balsamic vinaigrette using different fruit jams such as raspberry, blackberry, or your favorite jam to personalize the dressing.
