Calling all salad lovers! This strawberry spinach salad is the proper mixture of candy and savory — recent child spinach piled excessive with juicy sliced strawberries, tangy feta crumbles, crispy purple onion, and maple-candied almonds, all drizzled with a creamy home made poppyseed dressing.
It’s my go-to summer season salad as a result of it comes collectively in about quarter-hour, works as a light-weight lunch or a stunning facet dish, and tastes like one thing you’d order at a restaurant. The mixture of candy strawberries, salty feta, and crunchy candied almonds hits each observe.
Under I’m breaking down each part — the candied almonds, the from-scratch dressing, storage ideas, straightforward swaps, and what to serve alongside it to make it a full meal.
The Good Summer time Salad
Are you aware these recipes that convey you again in time? This strawberry spinach salad takes me again to highschool after I would spend all day at my neighbor’s home. Their mother would purchase essentially the most wonderful poppyseed dressing and it felt like there was at all times an enormous bowl of berry salad of their fridge — a complete free for all!
As an grownup, I’ve discovered that my palate for salads has modified just a bit bit. I now want a steadiness of candy and savory, in addition to a superb combination of texture in each salad I eat. That’s precisely what this strawberry spinach salad delivers — and it’s develop into one of the crucial fashionable salad recipes on Match Foodie Finds.
Strawberry Spinach Salad Elements
For those who’re planning on having a salad for a full meal, it’s essential to pack it with nutritious elements that can maintain you going all day. I selected each ingredient on this salad as a result of they complement one another superbly and each brings one thing totally different to the desk.
Spinach: Spinach is the leafy inexperienced of leafy greens! It’s nice with nearly any dressing and you’ll eat it chilly or scorching. Spinach is filled with iron, vitamin B, calcium, and folic acid. You get a whole lot of bang to your buck with any spinach-based salad.
Recent strawberries: Not solely are strawberries completely candy and scrumptious, however in addition they supply a whole lot of dietary worth to any meal. Strawberries are wealthy in nutritional vitamins C and Ok, they usually’re additionally a terrific supply of potassium! Be happy so as to add further strawberries to this salad or chop them in another way. I like to depart greater chunks, however bite-sized items work nice too. For those who love strawberries in salads, attempt my strawberry broccoli salad and strawberry quinoa salad subsequent.
Feta crumbles: Tangy, salty feta is the proper counterbalance to the candy strawberries. For those who favor a creamier cheese, goat cheese is a scrumptious swap (it really works superbly in my arugula salad).
Purple onion: I do know uncooked purple onion may be polarizing! For those who’re not a uncooked onion particular person, take a look at my how you can make caramelized onions put up and use these as a substitute. Uncooked purple onion provides a scrumptious crunch and chunk to any salad, plus it’s filled with antioxidants, vitamin C, and potassium. Somewhat goes a great distance!
Poppyseed dressing: Don’t be afraid — making home made poppyseed dressing is SO straightforward. I take advantage of a mixture of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, poppy seeds, and vinegar for a light-weight, creamy dressing that’s manner higher than store-bought. Poppy seeds are recognized to assist digestion and are filled with antioxidants!
The right way to Make Candied Almonds
These candied almonds had been impressed by my oil-free maple roasted pecans! You’re not going to consider how straightforward they’re to make — simply three elements and eight minutes within the oven.
- Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray.
- Toss slivered almonds with maple syrup and a pinch of salt.
- Unfold them in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes till golden and aromatic.
They arrive out candy, salty, crunchy, and fully addicting. Almonds additionally add a wholesome dose of fiber and protein to this strawberry spinach salad!
The right way to Make Strawberry Spinach Salad
This salad couldn’t be easier to throw collectively. Right here’s the step-by-step:
- Make the candied almonds: Toss slivered almonds with maple syrup and salt, then bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes. Allow them to cool when you prep all the pieces else.
- Whisk the dressing: Mix olive oil, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, and salt. (Full recipe in my poppyseed dressing put up.)
- Assemble the salad: Divide recent spinach amongst 4 bowls. High with sliced strawberries, feta crumbles, sliced purple onion, and candied almonds.
- Costume and serve: Drizzle about two tablespoons of poppyseed dressing over every bowl and luxuriate in!
Suggestions for the Greatest Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Use ripe, in-season strawberries: They’re naturally sweeter and juicier, which makes an enormous distinction on this salad.
- Dry your spinach properly: Extra moisture will dilute the dressing. A salad spinner works nice right here.
- Costume proper earlier than serving: The spinach will wilt if it sits in dressing too lengthy. If meal prepping, maintain the dressing on the facet.
- Let the almonds cool fully: They’ll crisp up as they cool. For those who add them whereas heat, they’ll wilt the spinach.
- Thinly slice the purple onion: Paper-thin slices distribute higher and have a milder chunk.
Substitutions and Variations
This salad is endlessly customizable! Listed here are some straightforward swaps:
- Greens: Swap spinach for arugula, combined greens, or a mixture. My arugula salad makes use of an analogous taste profile.
- Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries all work superbly rather than (or along with) strawberries.
- Cheese: Strive goat cheese, recent mozzarella, or shaved Parmesan as a substitute of feta.
- Nuts: Candied pecans, walnuts, or pistachios are all scrumptious options. My summer season salad with honey roasted pistachios makes use of an analogous idea.
- Dressing: A easy balsamic French dressing or any of my favourite dressings would work right here too.
- Make it vegan: Skip the feta and Greek yogurt within the dressing — use a easy olive oil and lemon French dressing as a substitute.
What to Serve with Strawberry Spinach Salad
This salad works as a light-weight lunch by itself, however if you wish to flip it into an even bigger meal, listed here are my favourite pairings:
- Grilled hen: My juicy grilled hen is the simplest manner so as to add protein. Slice it proper on prime!
- Salmon: A chunk of pan-seared salmon pairs superbly with the candy berries and tangy feta.
- Grilled California hen: My grilled California hen is one other nice summer season protein possibility.
- Soup: Maintain it gentle with a cup of soup on the facet for an ideal lunch combo.
- Crusty bread: A slice of heat sourdough by no means hurts alongside an enormous salad!
The right way to Retailer and Meal Prep
This strawberry spinach salad is improbable for meal prep! Right here’s how I do it:
- Meal prep containers: Divide the spinach, strawberries, feta, and purple onion into 4 containers. Maintain the candied almonds and dressing in separate small containers so nothing will get soggy.
- Storage: The prepped elements will final 3–4 days within the fridge. Add the almonds and dressing proper earlier than consuming.
- Dressing: The poppyseed dressing retains for as much as 1 week in an hermetic jar within the fridge. Give it a superb shake earlier than utilizing.
- Candied almonds: Retailer in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 1 week. They’ll keep good and crunchy!
Strawberry Spinach Salad FAQ
Can I make strawberry spinach salad forward of time?
Sure! Prep the entire elements and retailer them individually within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Maintain the dressing and candied almonds in their very own containers and add them proper earlier than serving so nothing will get soggy.
What protein goes properly with strawberry spinach salad?
Grilled hen, pan-seared salmon, and shrimp are all wonderful choices. Even a handful of chickpeas or some edamame will enhance the protein if you wish to maintain it vegetarian.
Can I take advantage of a distinct dressing?
Completely! A easy balsamic French dressing, raspberry French dressing, or perhaps a gentle lemon dressing would pair properly with the strawberries and spinach. Try my favourite salad dressing recipes for extra concepts.
Is strawberry spinach salad wholesome?
Sure! Spinach is filled with iron, nutritional vitamins, and calcium. Strawberries are wealthy in vitamin C and antioxidants. The home made poppyseed dressing makes use of Greek yogurt as a substitute of mayo, maintaining it lighter than most store-bought choices. It’s a nutrient-dense salad that’s additionally naturally gluten-free.
Extra Salad Recipes to Strive
Candied Slivered Almonds
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First, spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Then, lay slivered almonds down on the baking sheet and drizzle with maple syrup and season with a pinch of salt. Bake at 400ºF for 8 minutes.
- Diet doesn’t embody poppy seed dressing.
Energy: 270 kcal, Carbohydrates: 24 g, Protein: 12 g, Fats: 16 g, Fiber: 7 g, Sugar: 12 g
Diet data is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
